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English idioms and listening practice

You may know every word in an idiom and still miss what the speaker means. Start with the situation, then listen for the phrase as a whole.

  • 86 lessons
  • B1 to C2
  • 3 accents

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Filtered by Level: B1 Remove Level filter Clear all
Video IDIOM B1 12 min

Take it easy

Take it easy means to rest and avoid hard effort. It means to calm down and stop worrying. It also means goodbye between friends.

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What this family trains

What to practise

Choose an expression you want to understand. Read its meaning and examples, then try the first dictation free.

Recognise an expression inside a complete sentence. Listen once for the message, then replay to catch the words around the idiom.

Decide when the expression fits. Compare the examples and notes on tone before using it in a conversation of your own.

Why it is hard to hear

What to listen for

Words can run together in a recording. If the phrase is familiar on paper but hard to hear, compare one short part with the transcript, then replay without reading.

A literal interpretation may not fit the situation. Check who is speaking and what has happened before deciding what an idiom means.

Start here

Suggested starting points

Choose a level that fits you. You can return to the full list at any time.

  1. Start at B1

    Take it easy

    Take it easy means to rest and avoid hard effort. It means to calm down and stop worrying. It also means goodbye between friends.

    12 min · Open lesson
  2. Then try C1

    A matter of time

    A new café is already popular, and you are confident it will need a bigger space, but you do not know when. Which phrase expresses that expectation?

    12 min · Open lesson
  3. Stretch at C2

    On the line

    A failed presentation could cost a manager her position. Which phrase shows that her job faces a serious risk?

    12 min · Open lesson

Level progression

From B1 to C2

Check the lesson count at each level before choosing where to start.

  1. B1 1 lesson

    Start with a familiar situation and a short sentence. Check the meaning before trying dictation.

  2. B2 64 lessons

    Compare expressions used at work and in everyday conversation. Pay attention to the words around the idiom.

  3. C1 14 lessons

    Use the tone and contrast notes to decide why one expression fits better than another.

  4. C2 7 lessons

    Look closely at implied meaning. Use the test to check exact wording after you understand the message.

Accent note

Compare the available voices

Choose from the accents shown for the current clip. Mixed changes the voice between clips where alternatives are available. To compare voices, replay the same sentence in another available accent.

Questions learners ask

Before you start

Should I learn idioms from a list?

A list can introduce useful expressions. Follow it with a complete example and a recording so you can connect the meaning with how the phrase sounds.

Why focus on one expression?

It gives you time to understand its meaning, compare situations, and hear it in more than one sentence before moving on.

Can I use every idiom at work?

Check the tone and usage notes first. An expression that fits a relaxed conversation may sound too casual or dismissive in a formal one.

What if I know the idiom but miss words?

Look at the marked words. You may have missed a sound, an ending, or a spelling detail. Replay that part, compare with the transcript, then try without reading.

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