BOX SET: English vocabulary mega-class! 😍 Learn 8 English 'expressions with 'on' in 20 minutes!

TL;DR

Learn eight English expressions using 'on' in 20 minutes.

Transcript

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Feifei ... ...and I'm Neil. I hear we have a new recruit joining our team today. Yes, we have. It's good to have someone new in the team. Yes, soon he'll be able to do all those mundane tasks I usually have to do. I hope you don't mean presenting this programme?! Of course not! Anyway, before he does a... Read More

Key Insights

• The term 'onboarding' refers to the process of integrating a new employee into a company, ensuring they are comfortable and have the necessary skills for their job.
• The phrase 'the joke is on you' is used when someone who tries to make another person look foolish ends up looking foolish themselves.
• 'To waffle on' means to talk at length without saying anything meaningful or interesting, often leading to annoyance.
• 'Put the brakes on' is an expression used to indicate slowing down or stopping an activity, particularly when it involves spending or expansion.
• 'Left on read' describes a situation where someone has read a message but hasn't replied, often causing frustration for the sender.
• 'Bang on about something' means to talk about a topic so much that it becomes annoying to others.
• 'Running on fumes' refers to continuing an activity despite being extremely tired or having little energy left.
• 'Something to chew on' means to think about something carefully before making a decision, often implying the need for consideration.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does the term 'onboarding' mean?

Onboarding is the process of integrating a new employee into a company. It involves familiarizing them with the business, ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their job effectively, and making them feel welcome in the workplace.

Q: How is the phrase 'the joke is on you' used?

The phrase 'the joke is on you' is used when someone who attempts to make another person look foolish ends up looking foolish themselves. It indicates that the original intention to trick or embarrass someone has backfired on the instigator.

Q: What does it mean to 'waffle on'?

To 'waffle on' means to speak at length without conveying any meaningful or interesting information. It often leads to annoyance for the listener, as the speaker may be perceived as talking aimlessly or without purpose.

Q: In what context is 'put the brakes on' used?

The expression 'put the brakes on' is used to indicate slowing down or halting an activity. It is commonly applied in contexts such as reducing spending, pausing business expansion, or reconsidering plans due to financial or logistical constraints.

Q: What does 'left on read' imply?

'Left on read' implies that a message has been read by the recipient, but no reply has been sent. This can cause frustration or anxiety for the sender, as it may suggest that the recipient is ignoring the message or is too busy to respond.

Q: What does 'bang on about something' mean?

To 'bang on about something' means to repeatedly talk about a particular topic to the point where it becomes irritating to others. It suggests that the speaker is overly focused on a subject, often without considering the audience's interest or patience.

Q: How is 'running on fumes' used?

'Running on fumes' describes a situation where a person continues to function despite being extremely tired or having little energy left. It is often used to highlight perseverance in the face of exhaustion, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally.

Q: What does 'something to chew on' mean?

'Something to chew on' means to consider or think about something carefully before making a decision. It implies that the matter requires thoughtful reflection and cannot be resolved immediately, often due to its complexity or significance.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• This content explores various English expressions that incorporate the word 'on', providing definitions and examples to enhance understanding.

• The expressions cover a range of contexts, from workplace integration to personal interactions, illustrating their practical applications.

• Listeners are encouraged to learn these expressions to improve their English vocabulary and communication skills, with examples given for real-life usage.