"Woodwork" is anything in a building or home that is made of wood. But what could this expression possibly mean?
On English @ the Movies we tell you about the saying "got our work cut out for us." It is from the movie "Norm of The North." This animation film is about a polar bear and his friends trying to save their Arctic home. Watch or video to find out what "got our work cut out for us" means.
VOA Learning English presents news, features, audio, video and multimedia about the U.S. and the world in American English. Stories are written at the intermediate and upper-beginner level. Words are spoken one-third slower for ESL learners.
On English @ the Movies we talk about the saying "piece of cake" from the movie "Power Rangers." This movie is about a group of teenagers who are given special powers. Do you think "piece of cake" is about eating? Watch our video and find out!
We all need to breathe to live. And a room is a space in a house or building. But, what do you think this expression means? Watch this week's EIM to learn how to use "breathing room" in a conversation!
Today our English @ the Movies saying is "crooked cops" from the movie "CHIPS." This movie is about police officers with the California Highway Patrol. They ride motorcyles. Does the saying "crooked cops" mean they do not drive straight? Check out our video and find out!
We all need to breathe to live. And a room is a space in a house or building. But, what do you think this expression means? Watch this week's EIM to learn how to use "breathing room" in a conversation!
Our phrase today on English @ the Movies is “I’m really freaking out” from the film “Smurfs: The Lost Village.” It is based on The Smurfs, a series about a group of small, blue creatures. Do you know what "I'm really freaking out" means? Watch our video, take the quiz, and see if you got it right!
Is a "pack rat" an actual kind of rat? Watch this week's EIM to learn about this phrase!
Today on English @ the Movies we talk about the saying "ahead of your time" from the movie "Beauty and the Beast." The movie is about a bright girl, her father and a Beast. Do you know what the saying "ahead of your time" means? Watch our video, take the quiz, and see if you guessed right!
A "bandwagon" was once a vehicle that carried circus performers. In this idiom, it has a different meaning. Practice using this popular expression with this week's EIM!
Today on English @ the Movies we talk about the saying "power nap" from the movie "The Boss Baby." This is a funny cartoon movie about a boy who gets a new baby brother-- who looks, and sounds, like a little man. Check out the video, take the quiz and see if you know what "power nap" means!
Today on English @ the Movies we talk about the saying "it's revolutionary" from the movie "The Founder." This movie is about the people who started a famous fast food restaurant. Do you know what "it's revolutionary" means? Watch our video to see if you get it right!
Fried fish is a popular food in America and around the world. But does this expression have anything to do with eating seafood? Watch this week's EIM to find out!
Our saying today on English @ the Movies is "hitting rock bottom." It comes from the animated film "Sing." It is about animals who want to sing and a theater owner trying to save his business. Do you know what "hitting rock bottom" means? Watch our video to find out if you are right!
What does it mean to be "on a roll?" Watch this week's EIM to find out!
Our saying today on English @ the Movies is "write your own rules" from the movie "La La Land." It is about a woman and a man who fall in love, while trying to make it big in the movie and music worlds. Do you know what "write your own rules" means? Watch our video and then take the quiz!
What is a "happy medium?" And how do you find it? Watch this week's English in a Minute to find out!
Today on English @ the Movies we talk about the saying "you're a piece of work," from the movie "Miss Sloane." She is a woman who wants to win at all costs. Do you think "you're a piece of work" is a good or bad thing to say to someone? Watch our video to find out!"
"Freebies" are, as you might have guessed, items given out for free! Learn more about how to use this word in this week's English in a Minute!
Today on English @ the Movies we talk about the saying "you are having visions." It is from the movie "Inferno." This film is about a professor who is trying to save the world from a deadly virus. Want to know what "you are having visions" means? Watch our video to find out!
You know the difference between a left foot and a right foot. But what does it mean if you say someone has "two left feet?" Watch this EIM episode to find out.
Today on English @ the Movies we teach you about the saying "get yourself lawyered up." It comes from the movie "Denial," which is based on a true story. A woman calls a man a liar and ends up in court. Watch here to find out what "get yourself lawyered up means."
Have you ever tried to "sugarcoat" some news or information? Watch this week's English in a Minute to learn all about "sugarcoating" things.
Today on English @ the Movies we talk about the saying "a chain reaction." It comes from the film "I'm Not Ashamed." This is a true story about a teenage girl's religious faith. Do you know what "a chain reaction" means? Watch here to test your knowledge!
It is a new year. We hope it begins well for you! If it does not, you may say you are "getting off on the wrong foot."
On English @ the Movies today, we talk about the expression "fresh start." It comes from the movie "Max Steel." The story is about a teenager who discovers he has special powers he got from his dad. Watch here to find out if you know what "fresh start."
Anna discovers a festival - the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall. What does she learn there about Basque culture? Anna发现国家大草坪上正在举办史密森尼民俗节，她了解到了哪些巴斯克文化？
Have you had a "golden opportunity" recently? Learn about this phrase in this week's English in a Minute!
On English @ the Movies today, we teach you about the saying "there's something off about them." It is from the funny movie "Keeping up with the Joneses." The story is about two spies who move into a neighborhood. Watch our video to find out if you know what "there's something off about them" means!
Anna and her boss go on a trip around the world. That is, they eat foods from around the world. Where will they find all these foods? Anna和老板周游世界。不是真的周游世界，而是吃世界各地的风味美食。她们要在哪里找到这些食物呢？
What happens when something slips your mind? Watch this week's English in a Minute to learn how to use this expression.
Today on English @ the Movies we talk about the saying "brace for impact." It comes from the movie “Sully.” The film tells the true story of an airplane losing power and making an emergency landing on a river. Watch here to find out what "brace for impact" means!
Dogs are popular pets in many countries. But, this expression sounds terrible! Find out what a "dog eat dog" world is like in this week's English in a Minute.
Today's English at the Movies saying is "I am dead meat." Do you know what it means? It is from a funny movie called “Storks.” This story is about a girl and a stork delivering a baby. Watch our video and test your knowledge. Did you get it right?!
What do you want to sink your teeth into? This expression is not always about eating. Find out how to use this phrase in this week's English in a Minute!
Today on English @ the Movies we talk about the saying "it's crunch time." The movie is "Hidden Figures"-- a true story about African-American women who helped with the American space program. Want to know what "it's crunch time" means? Watch and find out!
Anna and her producer, Amelia, are planning the new children's show. Anna has lots of ideas for the show. Will Amelia like them and work well with Anna?Anna和制片人Amelia正在筹划新的儿童节目。Anna有很多设想。Amelia能帮Anna做到吗？
Learn why simulators are a good thing in this week's News Words.
Switching - or changing - gears on a machine makes it change speed. But what happens when a person "switches gears?" Find out in this week's English in a Minute!
Our English @ the Movies saying for today is "not everyone is wired." It is from the movie "Arrival." The film is about Unidentified Flying Objects-- UFOs-- and communicating with beings from outer space. Do you know know being "wired" is? Watch and find out!
English in a Minute: Break the Ice
Our English @ the Movies phrase today is "the cost of doing business." The movie is "The Accountant." It is about a man who is helping criminals with their finances. Watch our story so you can find out what "the cost of doing business" means.
Anna meets her friend Marsha in a coffee shop. Marsha asks Anna to come to a party. But Anna has to take a driving test. Can Anna come to the party? Anna在咖啡厅见到朋友Marsha. Marsha邀请Anna一起去参加派对，但是Anna要去参加路考。Anna能去参加派对吗？
American English has a lot of sports-related idioms. This idiom comes from tennis. What should you do if the ball is your court? Find out in this week's episode of EIM!
Our English @ the Movies phrase today is "we've been hacked." The saying is from the movie "IT." Do you know what the word hacked means? It has been in the news. Watch our story--test yourself-- and see if you get it right.
Americans use "miles" as a measure of distance. But what does it mean if you 'go the extra mile?' Find out in this week's EIM!
Our English @ the Movies saying today is "clean record." The movie is "Imperium," a serious movie based on a true story about white extremists. What do you think "clean record" means? Watch our story to learn about it.
This expression is not exactly about music. Find out why you might call something "music to your ears" in this week's English in a Minute!
Do you know what "give me a couple pointers" means? It is our English @ the Movies phrase today from the movie "Little Men." In the film, one of the boys wants to be an actor. Watch our story, test yourself, and see if you get it right!