Today we are going to continue to talk about idioms and specific vocabulary related to movies in English.
And with a point of view story.
You will learn grammar in context without memorizing any boring rules.
I'll tell you a story twice from different grammar points.
I can change the tense or the person.
And like that, you will learn grammar in context.
Please visit speakenglishpodcast.com to get the transcript.
Before we start, let's remember the five expressions you learned in the last episode.
Get the show on the road means to begin an activity or journey.
Kick off a show or kick off means to start a performance or the first performance among many others.
Popcorn movie is a movie to watch just for entertainment.
Live up to the hype.
If a movie lives up to the hype, it is as good as the public anticipates.
Sell out.
If tickets are sold out, it means that all available tickets for a movie concert, etc.
Have been sold.
Now let's learn some new vocabulary and expressions.
Number 1.
To make a clown of yourself.
Clowns are usually funny and entertaining people who do all sorts of things to make people laugh.
I'm scared of clowns, and I'm sure many other people are too.
So if you make a clown of yourself, you're doing something that makes people laugh unintentionally.
It means you make a mistake that makes people laugh.
Maybe you stutter or even forget what you were going to say.
So we use this expression when someone appears foolish or someone who knows very little.
Examples.
Jack was so worried about making a clown of himself.
He got so nervous that he ended up calling off his performance.
He shouldn't have tried to call his ex.
He just made a clown of himself.
2.
To be in the limelight.
The expression to be in the limelight comes from an old practice from the theater scene.
Limelight was a bright white light made by heating oxygen and hydrogen and placing a piece of lime into it.
It was used for stage lighting.
But what does it mean?
If you are in the limelight, you are in the public eye.
Therefore, people will be interested in your personal life.
Examples Tom tried avoiding the press as much as possible.
But he was in the limelight all the time because of his new blockbuster movie.
Many people love being in the limelight, but I get nervous on stage.
Number three, to crave the limelight.
Well, we have seen what it means to be in the limelight, but let's find out when we use the expression to crave the limelight.
To crave something means to feel a strong desire for something.
Therefore, if you crave the limelight, it means that you really like to be the center of attention.
Celebrities, politicians, but also regular people sometimes crave the limelight.
My friend wasn't a person who craved the limelight until her book became a bestseller.
That's when she got used to the attention.
Number four.
Break a leg.
This expression comes from the world of theater.
Actors were superstitious because they believed that saying good luck would actually bring them bad luck.
So people started using the expression break a leg instead.
Examples.
Break a leg.
I shouted to my brother before the beginning of the play.
You're so talented, you don't need luck, but make sure you break a leg.
Okay, that's it for today.
But let's first go over the expressions we have learned today.
To make a clown of yourself.
To be in the limelight.
To crave the limelight.
Break a leg.
Before I move on to the next section, go and get the transcript of this episode at speakenglishpodcastcom.
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Okay, let's continue with a point of view story.
I'll tell you a short story more than one time.
Every time, I'll change a grammar point.
I can change the tense or the person.
This way, you'll notice the changes in context.
Let's start.
Tom always wanted to become an actor since he was a little child.
He was an outgoing boy who enjoyed having everyone's attention.
Let's say he craved the limelight ever since he was little.
But his parents were skeptical and a bit nervous about Tom becoming an actor at such an early age.
One day, his mom had an audition for a commercial.
Even though Tom was only three years old, she brought him with her at the audience.
After two hours, he ran in crying and interrupted his mom during the audition.
Luckily for him, he didn't make a clown of himself.
And instead, they thought he was cute, so they offered him a commercial role.
His parents tried to convince him otherwise, but Tom was determined and wanted to give it a try.
After the commercial was broadcasted on many TV channels, his parents received many calls from well-known movie production companies.
Nowadays, Tom is one of the most loved and respected Hollywood stars.
That's why he's constantly in the limelight.
Let's listen to the story one more time in the plural.
Tom and Jack always wanted to become actors ever since they were children.
They were outgoing boys who enjoyed having everyone's attention.
Let's say they craved the limelight since they were little.
But their parents were skeptical and a bit nervous about them becoming actors at such an early age.
One day, their mom had an audition for a commercial.
Even though Tom and Jack were only three years old, she brought them with her at the audience.
After two hours, they both ran in crying and interrupted their mom during the audition.
Lucky for them, they didn't make a clown of themselves.
Because they were cute, they were offered a commercial role.
Tom and Jack's parents tried to convince them otherwise, but the boys were determined and wanted to give it a try.
After the commercial was broadcasted on many TV channels, their parents received many calls from well-known movie production companies.
Nowadays, Tom and Jack are one of the most loved and respected Hollywood stars.
That's why they are constantly in the limelight.
Okay.
It's the end of this short lesson.
As you can see, just by changing the point of view of the story, you can learn grammar in context.
It's one of the techniques that I use in my premium courses.
I recommend you take a look at Okay, we have reached the end of this episode.
Remember to listen to it several times.
It will help you with your English.
See you soon.
Bye-bye.
