Catch Word #265 – Take the fifth
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where it was best to just remain quiet? In English, there are many ways to say, “I don’t want to talk about it”. In this episode, Andrew and Kassy teach you two idiomatic expressions you can use to talk about being quiet and not talking.
The Catch Word series helps intermediate and advanced English language learners understand idioms, phrasal verbs and expressions that you may encounter in daily life. This Culips audio lesson will help you improve your listening skills, build your vocabulary, and give you interesting conversation topics to use every day.
Fun facts
Some people enjoy being in the spotlight and having the attention of an audience, but research has reported that about two-thirds of people say that they feel anxious and struggle to speak in front of large groups.
Expressions included in the study guide
- To take the fifth
- To clam up
- In a jovial manner
- [Someone’s] eyes pop out of [their] head
- In the running
- Goody two-shoes
Copyright: Culips.com
For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.
Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar
Image: Image: Jelleke Vanooteghem (Unsplash.com)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Catch Word #265 – Take the fifth
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where it was best to just remain quiet? In English, there are many ways to say, “I don’t want to talk about it”. In this episode, Andrew and Kassy teach you two idiomatic expressions you can use to talk about being quiet and not talking. The Catch Word series helps intermediate and advanced English language learners understand idioms, phrasal verbs and expressions that you may encounter in daily life. This Culips audio lesson will help you improve your listening skills, build your vocabulary, and give you interesting conversation topics to use every day.
Fun facts
Some people enjoy being in the spotlight and having the attention of an audience, but research has reported that about two-thirds of people say that they feel anxious and struggle to speak in front of large groups.Expressions included in the study guide
- To take the fifth
- To clam up
- In a jovial manner
- [Someone’s] eyes pop out of [their] head
- In the running
- Goody two-shoes
Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Image: Image: Jelleke Vanooteghem (Unsplash.com)
Sign in to access Transcript
Sign inSign in to access Glossary
Sign inSign in to access Writing & Discussion Questions
Sign inSign in to access Quiz
Sign inHosts: Andrew Bates and Kassy White
Music: Something Elated by Broke For Free
Episode preparation/research: Andrew Bates
Audio editor: Kevin Moorehouse
Transcriptionist: Heather Bates
Study guide writer: Austin Headricks
English editor: Edden Yohanes
Operations: Tsuyoshi Kaneshima
Image: Jelleke Vanooteghem (Unsplash.com)
Popular Podcasts
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our English learning platform.
- 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.

