Learn Some 'Wave' Expressions

01And now, words and their stories from VOA Learning English.

02Today, we talk about something found in water.

03Waves.

04Surfers are experts at riding waves in the ocean.

05But even if you have never been in the ocean or tried the sport of surfing, you can still ride the waves.

06If you ride the wave of something, you gain from a widespread popularity or approval of something.

07The online dictionary Merriam-Webster defines it this way.

08To experience a time when many people share a strong feeling or attitude about something at the same time.

09For example, let's say a woman runs for office, but she doesn't have any political experience.

10She does, however, belong to a famous and popular political family.

11After she wins, many people say she rode the wave of her family's fame.

12But this expression doesn't always mean taking advantage of something in a bad way.

13For example, a sports team may want to ride the wave of their recent wins to keep on winning.

14Catching the wave is a similar expression.

15If you catch the wave, you also take advantage of an opportunity.

16You are at the right place at the right time.

17Now, sometimes we aren't riding or catching waves, but making waves instead.

18When we make waves, we do something that makes people notice us.

19Often, they notice us in a bad way.

20And the waves we make cause problems.

21Similar to waves in water making trouble for boats and swimmers.

22Here's an example.

23If you start a new job, it is usually not a good idea to make waves.

24When you make waves, you create trouble.

25And interfere with usual business operations.

26We can also say to rock the boat.

27This also means to cause problems.

28We use the word wave in several phrasal verbs.

29Let's start by combining it with on and off.

30Waving someone on is the same thing as giving them a sign to keep moving.

31For example, when police officers direct traffic, they wave people on.

32The police are guiding drivers or walkers across roads.

33Waving someone on can also mean to encourage someone.

34If your friend is running in a race, you can wave them on to the finish line.

35However, if you wave something or someone off, you cancel, dismiss, or refuse them.

36For example, when I offered help to the man who had fallen off his bike, he just waved me off.

37He either didn't need or want my help, or maybe was too embarrassed to accept it.

38You can also combine wave with down.

39To wave down someone or something is also a signal to stop.

40For example, you can wave down a friend or wave down a taxi cab.

41And if you wave something or someone aside, you are either directing them or dismissing them.

42It depends on the situation.

43Now, let's hear some of these wave terms used in a short example.

44Once, I invited a friend to a concert.

45The musical group was very popular.

46They were riding the wave of a similar but earlier rock and roll band.

47Many people would come to their concerts just to gather in the parking lot and listen to the music from a distance.

48And that is what happened during this concert.

49But this venue was different than most.

50It was outside and did not have a barrier around it.

51So people without tickets started sneaking in.

52Someone would find a place where they could sneak in and wave on others to do the same.

53As a result, the venue got so crowded that the security guards had to wave ticket holders aside to a different entrance.

54And if you didn't have a ticket and hadn't snuck in, they just waved you off.

55As my friend and I waited in line to enter, I warned her that the concert would be very crowded.

56But she waved my concerns aside.

57She didn't care.

58We went in anyway.

59But after the concert was over, I immediately waved down a taxi to go home.

60I had had enough of the large crowd.

61And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.

62Until next time, I'm Ana Mateo.

63I'm Ana Mateo.