VOA · Words and Their Stories
Advanced · C1learner speed3:192025-03-11public domain
Words and Their Stories is VOA's classic program about American English expressions and idioms — where phrases like 'break the ice' come from and how to use them. Native-like idioms in slow, clear speech: a rare combination for learners.
Hit "Start dictation practice" — all 3 minutes are already sliced into sentences, so practice starts immediately. No wait.
Expect longer sentences and richer vocabulary — replay freely, and slow the speed if a sentence runs away from you.
Switch to Dictation mode, type each sentence, and get a word-by-word diff with your accuracy score.
01And now, words and their stories from VOA Learning English.
02Springtime is a time of renewal and growth.
03Many plants end their long winter sleep and form new buds.
04And shoots.
05Beautiful flowers will soon be showing their bright colors.
06And the grass will grow thicker and greener again.
07Some flowers bloom in a very noticeable way.
08But that is not the case with grass.
09Imagine you are sitting in a grassy field.
10And you have only one job.
11To watch the grass grow.
12That does not sound very interesting.
13In fact, it sounds really boring.
14That idea is what gives us the expression like watching grass grow.
15We use this expression to describe an experience that is uninteresting.
16Another good word to describe it is tedious.
17We use this expression in many situations.
18Let's hear a few examples.
19After the politician won his campaign, he gave a two-hour-long acceptance speech.
20Two hours?
21It was as much fun as watching grass grow.
22I really don't like watching long sports games.
23It's like watching grass grow.
24Now, grass grows on the ground all the time.
25And usually, we don't give it much thought.
26If you stand in one place for a long time, the grass will continue to grow under your feet.
27For people who are always active, always moving, always on the go, we can say they don't let grass grow under their feet.
28We can also say beneath their feet.
29And sometimes, we use this expression as a command.
30Let's hear some examples.
31Don't let the grass grow beneath your feet.
32Get back to work.
33She certainly doesn't let the grass grow under her feet.
34She's been traveling nonstop for over a year.
35And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
36Until next time, I'm Anna Mateo.
// transcribed with Whisper AI — reading it is easy; catching it by ear is the skill
Practice it by ear
