VOA · Words and Their Stories
Advanced · C1learner speed4:522024-12-11public 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.
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01And now, words and their stories from VOA Learning English.
02In many parts of the world, temperatures are dropping for the winter season.
03But even for those in warm weather, our show on the word cold will help your English.
04Cold is not just an adjective describing temperature.
05It can also describe stopping something suddenly and surprisingly.
06It also means starting or doing something without preparation.
07These definitions give us several expressions and idioms.
08When someone or something stops cold, it stops completely, suddenly, and perhaps with surprise.
09For example, I was surprised when my car stopped cold on a recent trip.
10I had just had it fixed.
11With this expression, we often say the thing or person being stopped.
12So in that example, I could say, Engine trouble stopped my car cold.
13When we stop someone cold, we completely stop them from doing something suddenly or immediately.
14Here's an example.
15The sunset was so beautiful.
16It stopped me cold.
17Sometimes we add in my tracks to this expression, such as, Other variations of this expression include to stop someone dead in their tracks, and to stop someone on a dime.
18They all mean the same thing.
19Something or someone has come to a standstill.
20And we can use them the same way.
21Now let's talk about how we use cold in the business world.
22Sometimes we need to call someone who does not know us, And we do not know them.
23These are cold calls.
24A cold call can also be a visit to a person or business.
25And usually we want to sell something.
26For example, a salesperson may have a cold call list to get new business.
27Cold calls, whether on the phone or in person, are unsolicited.
28This means that no one asked or requested contact.
29In business, and also in life, If you come to something cold, or come into something cold, You are not prepared.
30Here is an example.
31Last week, I came into the meeting cold.
32I hadn't read any of the materials.
33However, if you come in from the cold, You are in luck.
34It means you rejoin a group, Or a normal society again, After being outside.
35We often use this expression to describe someone, Like a spy, Who was able to come in from the cold, And enjoy a normal life.
36Come in from the cold can also be used When someone, or something, Becomes popular, Accepted, Or active again, After being unpopular, Unaccepted, And inactive, For a time.
37And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
38Until next time, I'm Ana Mateo.
39I'm Ana Mateo.
40I'm Ana Mateo.
41I'm Ana Mateo.
42I'm Ana Mateo.
43I'm Ana Mateo.
44I'm Ana Mateo.
45I'm Ana Mateo.
// transcribed with Whisper AI — reading it is easy; catching it by ear is the skill
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