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Intermediate
Mobile Learning Materials

Release Date: 27 Nov, 1000

Catch Word #254 – In for a rude awakening

Episode description

Would you like to have a bombshell dropped on you? That sounds pretty bad, but don’t worry, our hosts Andrew and Suzanne are here to explain expressions you can use when you’re shocked at hearing big news. In this Catch Word episode, the two main expressions are to drop a bombshell and a rude awakening. Do you think you know what they mean? Give the episode a listen and find out!

With the Catch Word series, Culips works hard to provide intermediate and advanced English language learners with fun and interesting content so they can improve their English fluency.

Fun fact

One of the main expressions from this episode is a rude awakening. Although unrelated to this expression, you might want to check out the Academy Award–nominated 1990 movie called Awakenings, starring Robert De Niro and Robert Williams. It’s a touching movie about a doctor’s relationships while helping his catatonic patients. If you see it, tell us what you think!

Expressions included in the study guide

  • To drop a bombshell
  • To be set for life
  • Across town
  • A rude awakening
  • A hard pill to swallow
  • Out of [one’s] league

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

~24 minutes
Intermediate
Mobile Learning Materials

Release Date: 27 Nov, 1000
~24 minutes

Catch Word #254 – In for a rude awakening

Episode description

Would you like to have a bombshell dropped on you? That sounds pretty bad, but don’t worry, our hosts Andrew and Suzanne are here to explain expressions you can use when you’re shocked at hearing big news. In this Catch Word episode, the two main expressions are to drop a bombshell and a rude awakening. Do you think you know what they mean? Give the episode a listen and find out! With the Catch Word series, Culips works hard to provide intermediate and advanced English language learners with fun and interesting content so they can improve their English fluency.

Fun fact

One of the main expressions from this episode is a rude awakening. Although unrelated to this expression, you might want to check out the Academy Award–nominated 1990 movie called Awakenings, starring Robert De Niro and Robert Williams. It’s a touching movie about a doctor’s relationships while helping his catatonic patients. If you see it, tell us what you think!

Expressions included in the study guide

  • To drop a bombshell
  • To be set for life
  • Across town
  • A rude awakening
  • A hard pill to swallow
  • Out of [one’s] league

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Hosts: Andrew Bates and Suzanne Cerreta
Music: Something Elated by Broke For Free
Episode preparation/research: Andrew Bates
Audio editor: Kevin Moorehouse
Transcriptionist: Heather Bates
Study guide writer: Matty Warnock
English editor: Stephanie MacLean
Business manager: Tsuyoshi Kaneshima
Image: Colton Sturgeon (Unsplash.com)

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Culips is podcast for English language learners who want to get awesome at English. We think it is important to learn English how it is really spoken and that’s why our lessons are always focused on real, current English. Learn to speak like a native and understand everything with Culips!  Test
Culips is really different than other English courses and podcasts. Our hosts are kind, funny, and professional. Our podcasts and lessons are designed to help you become fluent in conversational, North American English.  Here are some things you might not know about our hosts:
  • They are Canadian and American
  • Have master’s degrees and work in professions related to English education (Andrew is a university English professor, Suzanne is a pronunciation coach and voice actor, and Morag is a writer).
  • Actively study second languages as adults. Our team understands the ups and downs of studying foreign languages as adults who live busy lives.
At Culips, we make English understandable through our five different series: Chatterbox Listen to real English conversations between native speakers as we talk about current events, share funny stories, or interview fascinating guests. Become a fluent listener, get exposure to Western culture, and learn the ins and outs of natural English conversations all at the same time. Catch Word Learn natural English expressions, idioms, and phrasal verbs. We teach you everyday English vocabulary that native speakers actually use. Sound like a native speaker with Catch Word. Simplified Speech Do you get stressed out by English? Do native speakers talk too fast? Don’t worry! We’re here to help. In Simplified Speech, we use 100% natural English, but we speak more slowly than we do in our everyday lives. This series is great for all levels of learners but is specifically designed with high beginner-intermediate students in mind. Real Talk In our In our Real Talk series we teach you the practical English you need know when visiting or living in an English speaking country. Each episode examines a specific situation such as ordering at a restaurant, renting an apartment, or getting a refund. Speak Easy Speak Easy is the show that teaches you how to pronounce English the way native speakers do. Learn tips and tricks that will make your English pronunciation clear and understandable with Speak Easy.
The best way to study with Culips is with our study guides.