VOA · Words and Their Stories
Advanced · C1learner speed5:192024-07-05public 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.
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01And now, words and their stories from VOA Learning English.
02On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language.
03We give examples and notes on usage.
04Do you have a friend, co-worker, or family member who you are very close with?
05Do you often work on projects or activities with that person?
06If so, the two of you could be called partners in crime.
07And those projects or activities are not even illegal.
08Partners in crime is an expression that describes two or more people who are very close to each other.
09But more than being close, they are usually involved in playful or adventurous activities.
10Even though the expression has the word crime, the activities are, more often than not, legal ones.
11Originally, the expression may have described actual criminals, but today it does not.
12It is a fun, lighthearted way to describe close friends who may be involved in some kind of mischief.
13Not surprisingly, the expression is often used in mystery stories, films, and television shows.
14The most famous example is Partners in Crime, a collection of short stories by Agatha Christie, published in 1929.
15The stories were turned into a radio broadcast and then a television program.
16A less popular example is the television show Partners in Crime, from 1984 in the U.S., starring Linda Carter and Lonnie Anderson.
17Besides Partners in Crime, we also have a similar expression, thick as thieves, to describe very close friends who share information and secrets.
18Now, let's talk about some more words that are similar or related to Partners in Crime.
19Someone who is your partner in crime can also be called your sidekick.
20A sidekick is someone who is usually by your side.
21If your sidekick is helping you in a social situation, like meeting members of the opposite sex, then we can call them a wingman or wingwoman.
22In airplane talk, a wingman is a pilot who flies his aircraft behind the leading pilot.
23There are other, more formal, or official words to describe a partner in crime, such as collaborator or accomplice.
24Although, you may want to be careful when using the word accomplice.
25When talking about a real crime, an accomplice is a person who helps others do something illegal.
26Now let's hear this expression used in a couple of examples.
27In the first one, two friends talk about a great party.
28How did you manage to throw such a great party?
29You thought of everything.
30I couldn't have done it without my partner in crime, Emma.
31Where is she anyway?
32Emma, your party collaborator, is on the karaoke machine and is about to start the singing contest.
33Atta girl, Emma.
34Last I saw you, when you were only 16.
35Now let's hear this expression used in a work situation.
36Are Michael and Evan working on another project together?
37They are.
38Those two have been partners in crime ever since they started working together.
39You're right, and it's a good thing for us.
40They are a great team and collaborate really well together.
41And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
42Until next time, I'm Ana Mateo.
// transcribed with Whisper AI — reading it is easy; catching it by ear is the skill
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