Episode 13 - White Idioms

ESL in Ho Chi Minh City

This podcast will introduce you to common American idioms that use the word "white". In the first half of the podcast we will review the expressions. The second half is a dictation exercise that will test your understanding of these idioms. If you would like a full transcript of this podcast or additional exercises, please write to us at [email protected] PART I- Idioms a white elephant = something that is either large or expensive and has no useful purpose. a white lie = lie that you tell in order not to upset someone white collar = mental work, such as office work be as white as a sheet/ ghost = be very pale because of fear, shock, illness be as white as snow = be very white whiter than white = completely good and honest or pure pretend/say that black is white = to say the opposite of what is really true. the men in white coats = doctors for the mentally ill a white knight = a hero or savior, or someone who gives money to a company in order to prevent it from being bought by another company white trash = poor, uneducated, American white people white bread = ordinary and boring people or things, often used to describe white, American people. to raise/wave a white flag = to signal that you have been defeated and are ready to give up white tie event/affair = an event that requires formal dress whitewash = conceal an error or offense; or conceal the truth. Make light of an error or offense. Carte blanche = a French expression meaning freedom to do what you want PART II- Dictation Exercise My dad was a normal American. He had an office job working for a large financial company. He had a dumb and poorer brother who was trying to run a moving company. One day my uncle went to see my father. His face was pale from fear. My uncle had invested in another company that had hidden its losses. His company was now in the red $50,000 and he was about to give up and fire his 20 blue collar workers. He begged my dad to be his savior and save his company from bankruptcy. My dad agreed to help, even though my mom called him crazy and told him he should be forced into a mental hospital. My dad sponsored a very formal event and raised enough money to save my uncle's company. My dad gave the company freedom to operate, and my uncle was extremely grateful. A few weeks later my uncle showed up at our house with an expensive and useless gift: an old Chevy Camaro that would not fit in our garage. My dad had always been honest and sincere; he would never say the opposite of what is true. However, my dad told his first innocent lie that day by saying that he loved the gift. After that, my dad still took the bus to work each and every day.