#232 Idioms for the office: (A) Sound idiomatic expressions to excell at work

This episode of the Accent Training Podcast focuses on practicing idiomatic expressions that feature the "a" sound, with the goal of improving English fluency for non-native speakers.

Key Idioms Covered:

1. **"On the same page"

   - Meaning: Having mutual understanding.

   - Example: Instead of saying, "Do you understand me?" (which can sound too serious), say, "Are we on the same page?"

2. Stay ahead of the game"  

   - Meaning: Being proactive and prepared.

   - Example: Preparing a presentation over the weekend to stay ahead of tasks rather than waiting until the last minute.

3. "Play it safe"

   - Meaning: Avoiding risks or uncertainty.

   - Example: Relying only on direct translations from a native language instead of trying new English phrases is an example of "playing it safe."

4. "Payoff"  

   - Meaning: Something that leads to success or benefits over time.

   - Example: Although results from practicing accent training may not appear immediately, consistent effort will eventually "pay off."

5. "Game plan" 

   - Meaning: A strategy or plan for success.

   - Example: Asking "What's the game plan?" before a meeting means figuring out the best strategy or steps to take.

The podcast encourages listeners to incorporate these idioms into their speech, emphasizing that practicing these expressions will improve communication with native speakers. Listeners are advised to avoid “playing it safe” with their English and to actively develop new speaking habits for long-term success.

Patrick emphasizes that achieving fluency requires persistence, practice, and a solid "game plan" to unlock future payoffs in communication success.

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Transcript

Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the accent training podcast, a podcast where you train American accent sounds and habits with short and focused audio lessons. 

Now our previous two episodes have been covering the sound "A." First, we talked about how to make it, then we talked about how to practice it. Today, we're going to talk about idiomatic expressions with the sound "A" and prepare you to use them in real life and excel in the workplace. 

So, if you hate the American accent and speaking English with American expressions, shut this episode off now because if you listen all the way through, your ability to hear and use the sounds of English will improve significantly. If that isn't what you want, I don't want to force it on you. You've been warned – listening to this episode will teach you to speak English like an American, whether you like it or not. 

Are we on the same page? Good, because that's the first idiom for today: "on the same page." This means having mutual understanding. I rarely hear non-native speakers use this, but most understand it. When speaking directly, people tend to say "Do you understand me?" which can sound serious, but "Are we on the same page?" sounds friendlier and more professional.

The next idiom is "stay ahead of the game," meaning to be proactive or prepared. You're listening to this episode because you're proactive, trying to improve your English speaking. For example, if you worked on a presentation all weekend, you’d say, "I spent the weekend preparing to stay ahead of the game." It’s more natural than saying, "I am working proactively to prepare myself." This is how Americans speak, and you can do it too.

"This isn't a time to play it safe." This idiom means avoiding risks. Playing it safe with your English means not trying idioms or developing new habits, instead relying on direct translations. But taking risks pays off. There's always a payoff when you stay ahead of the game and take some risks. A payoff means success and benefits from your actions, even if they don't yield results immediately. With accent training, it may not pay off instantly, but if you practice these idioms, it will pay off in the next week or two.

Now, how can you avoid playing it safe and make that payoff happen? You need a "game plan" – a detailed strategy for success. For example, if you have a board meeting coming up, you'd ask, "What's the game plan?" meaning, "What steps are we going to take?" This idiom is about taking things beyond practice and planning for real-life situations.

Let’s quickly run through the idioms again: "on the same page," "stay ahead of the game," "play it safe," "payoff," and "game plan." 

If you've listened all the way to this point, I appreciate your dedication. Now it's time to apply what you've learned. Pick one or two idioms, create real-life phrases, and practice them. Step out into the world and apply what you’ve learned today.

Thank you for staying until the end. You're among the top one percent of learners who complete the lessons. If you want to express yourself in English as confidently as in your native language, I offer personalized coaching. Check the description box below for a "coach with me" link. If you apply, my team will reach out in 24 hours to help you reach your goals. Let's partner up and take your English to the next level.