Phrasal Verb News

France’s Prime Minister just threw in the towel after only 28 days in office — the third one to step down in less than a year. Once again, President Macron is up a creek without a paddle, trying to manage a government that can’t see eye to eye or get on the same page about how to fix France’s massive debt crisis.In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, Grant breaks down the story and teaches 5 useful expressions you can use in business, politics, and everyday life:📘 Vocabulary You’ll Learn:1️⃣ Throw in the towel – to give up or admit defeat.2️⃣ See eye to eye / Get on the same page – to agree with someone.3️⃣ Up a creek without a paddle – to be stuck in a difficult situation.4️⃣ Last-ditch effort – a final, desperate attempt.5️⃣ Step down – to resign or leave a position.Each phrase includes:✅ Real-life examples from the story✅ Business English examples✅ Spanish translations and practice questions🎙️ Learn real English through real news with Phrasal Verb News — the show that helps you speak naturally, sound professional, and stay informed.☕ Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/businessasusualenglish

Can painting zebra stripes on cows really help them avoid flies?Do rainbow lizards really prefer four-cheese pizza?And does alcohol actually help people get by in a foreign language?Welcome to Phrasal Verb News, the show where you learn real English through real stories. I’m Grant, and today we’re diving into the hilarious — and surprisingly useful — research celebrated at the Ig Nobel Prizes. These studies might make you laugh, but they also show how curiosity can lead to big discoveries.In this episode you’ll learn:🐄 How Japanese scientists came up with the zebra cow experiment.🦎 Why rainbow lizards in Togo turned out to love pizza.🍷 How alcohol helps people get by in another language.🔬 Why even silly research can pave the way for breakthroughs.📘 Vocabulary in Context:Come up with → Inventar / idearTurn out → Resultar / terminar siendoGet by → Arreglárselas / sobrevivirLead to → Conducir a / dar lugar aEach phrasal verb comes with English + Spanish examples, plus practice questions so you can use them immediately in work and daily life.👉 Learn English. Laugh at science. Walk away with something interesting to share with your colleagues.📩 Email me at grant@businessasusualenglish.com☕ Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/businessasusualenglish

Meta wanted to knock it out of the park with their new $800 Ray-Ban smart glasses — but instead, the live demo dropped the ball. Twice. From failed video calls to cooking AI that ignored commands, the event didn’t go as planned. Luckily, Zuckerberg managed to roll with the punches, and now Meta will need to iron out the bugs before launch.In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, you’ll learn 4 powerful expressions you can use in business and everyday English:✅ Knock it out of the park – hacer algo excelente✅ Drop the ball – meter la pata / fallar en algo importante✅ Roll with the punches – adaptarse y seguir adelante✅ Iron out the bugs – resolver problemas / ajustar detalles👉 Listen to hear the full story, clear explanations, Spanish translations, and practice questions to use these verbs right away.☕ Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/businessasusualenglishClasses or Business Inquiries grant@businessasusualenglish.com

The average person says sorry at least 8 times a day — no wonder the word has lost some of its power. So what do you do when you really screw up and need to apologize?In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, I’ll explain new research on why effort matters when asking forgiveness, and how word choice can make an apology come across as more sincere. You’ll also learn four powerful phrasal verbs and idioms you can use at work and in life:Screw up → meter la pataCome across as → dar la impresión deGet across → transmitir / comunicarShow up → aparecer / presentarse👉 Practice questions included so you can start using these right away.If you enjoy the show, you can support my work here: buymeacoffee.com/businessasusualenglish ☕I’m Grant, and this is Phrasal Verb News — real English, real news.

Episode overviewTikTok isn’t just a social media app anymore — it’s at the center of a billion-dollar power struggle. U.S. lawmakers forced ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations or shut them down, and now a deal is finally starting to come together.In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, I’ll explain the story behind TikTok’s negotiations and teach you 4 useful phrasal verbs/idioms you can use in business, politics, and everyday English — with Spanish translations and real examples.What you’ll learn todaycome together – to gradually form or be completedEn español: tomar forma / concretarsehold on to – to keep or retain somethingEn español: conservar / mantenerhammer out – to work hard to resolve or finalize detailsEn español: negociar a fondo / resolverraise eyebrows – to cause surprise or disapprovalEn español: generar sorpresa / causar sospechasPractice promptsCan you think of a project at work that finally came together after lots of effort?Is there something in your career you’d like to hold on to even if other things change?Have you ever had to hammer out a tough negotiation?What’s something that recently raised eyebrows in your workplace?Key takeawayTikTok’s U.S. future is more than just one company’s story — it could set the rules for how foreign tech firms do business in America. And for English learners, it’s the perfect way to pick up new phrasal verbs while following a story that’s making headlines.Connect✉️ Email: grant@businessasusualenglish.com🎧 Subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts for daily episodes of Phrasal Verb News

Episode overviewThe U.S. Federal Reserve just cut interest rates by 0.25% (25 basis points) — but why does this matter, and how does it affect not just the U.S. but the entire world?In this finance edition of Phrasal Verb News, I’ll explain the Fed’s decision in simple terms, show how it impacts inflation, jobs, and global markets, and teach you 4 phrasal verbs/idioms to talk about economic cause and effect.What you’ll learn todaykeep something in check – to control or limit somethingEn español: mantener bajo controltake a back seat to – to become less important than something elseEn español: pasar a segundo planobetter off / worse off – to be in a better or worse situationEn español: estar en una mejor o peor situaciónripple effect – when one action causes many effectsEn español: efecto dominó / efecto en cadenaPractice promptsWhat’s one thing you try to keep in check in your daily life?What goals in your life sometimes take a back seat to urgent needs?Is your country better off or worse off after recent economic changes?Can you think of a decision at work that had a ripple effect on many people?Key takeawayThe Fed’s decision shows how a small change in Washington can create a ripple effect across the globe — shaping trade, investment, and even prices. The goal is for people to be better off, not worse off, but the outcome depends on how the economy reacts in the coming months.Connect✉️ Contact: grant@businessasusualenglish.com for 1:1 or group classes.🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for daily episodes of Phrasal Verb News.

Episode overviewAfter the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, the story has shifted to the aftermath — the public reactions, online comments, and professional consequences that followed. From late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to anonymous social media users, many discovered that words can backfire, damage reputations, and even cost jobs.In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, I’ll explain the story and teach you 5 phrasal verbs and idioms you can use to talk about public reactions, mistakes, and consequences. As always, I’ll give clear definitions, examples, Spanish translations, and practice questions.What you’ll learn todayGive your 2 cents – compartir tu opiniónCapitalize on – aprovecharse deBackfire – salir mal / volverse en contraPut your foot in your mouth – meter la pataPay the price – pagar el precioPractice promptsIs it always wrong to capitalize on a situation, or can it sometimes be smart business?Have you ever made a decision that backfired?When was the last time you put your foot in your mouth at work?Have you ever had to pay the price for a mistake?Key takeawayFree speech means you won’t go to jail for your words — but if your comments cross the line, you may still face professional consequences. The aftermath of Kirk’s killing shows how quickly reputations can be damaged when words are careless or opportunistic.Subscribe & Connect🎧 Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for daily episodes.✉️ Contact: grant@businessasusualenglish.com

Episode overviewRudeness isn’t just bad manners — it’s expensive. A new study from the Society for Human Resource Management found that workplace rudeness costs U.S. businesses $2.1 billion every single day. That’s 208 million acts of rudeness: being short in an email, cutting someone off in a meeting, talking down to colleagues, putting others down, or even talking behind someone’s back.In today’s episode of Phrasal Verb News, we’ll break down what these phrases mean, give real-world business examples, and explain how small behaviors can add up to big costs.What you will learnbe short with someone – to speak in a curt or unfriendly wayEn español: ser cortante con alguiencut someone off / talk over – to interrupt someone while they’re speakingEn español: interrumpir / hablar por encimatalk down to someone – to speak as if the person is less intelligentEn español: hablar con condescendencia / tratar como inferiorput someone down – to insult or humiliate someoneEn español: menospreciar / humillartalk behind someone’s back – to criticize someone when they aren’t presentEn español: hablar a espaldas de alguienstem from – to come from or be caused by somethingEn español: provenir de / originarse enPractice promptsHas anyone ever been short with you in an email or message? How did you feel?Do people in your company often cut each other off in meetings?How do you react when someone talks down to you at work?What’s the best way to respond if someone puts you down?Why do you think people talk behind others’ backs instead of addressing problems directly?Do most workplace conflicts stem from personal issues or professional disagreements?Why listen?This episode shows how everyday English phrases describe real workplace behaviors — and why they matter for productivity and company culture. By learning these expressions in context, you’ll sound more natural in meetings while also understanding the deeper impact of communication at work.Connect✉️ Email me at grant@businessasusualenglish.com for private or group classes.🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the next episode of Phrasal Verb News.

Episode overviewAfter a week of protests, violence, and heavy headlines, it’s time for something different. In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we focus only on positive, funny, and uplifting stories — no politics, no scandals, no negativity. Just good news that can brighten your day and help you learn useful English expressions.First, we go to Colorado, where hikers climbing a 14,000-foot mountain were surprised by a man dressed as an ice cream cone handing out frozen treats at the summit. Word got around fast, and people were worried the supply would run out before they reached the top.Next, we travel to Italy, where an Argentine traveler booked an Airbnb only to discover it turned out to be her father’s childhood home. With the help of her hosts, she was able to piece together her family history in a moving and unforgettable way.What you will learnword got around – a story spread from person to personEn español: correr la vozrun out (of) – to use something until there is none leftEn español: quedarse sin / acabarseturn out – to result in an unexpected wayEn español: resultar / terminar siendopiece together – to rebuild or understand something from small partsEn español: reconstruir / armar poco a pocoPractice promptsWhat’s the last piece of news that quickly got around in your office?What does your team often run out of: time, patience, or money?Can you think of a time something turned out better than expected?What’s something you’ve had to piece together at work?Why listen?This episode is designed to give you both a smile and new vocabulary. You’ll hear inspiring, lighthearted stories while practicing phrasal verbs you can use in business and everyday English.Connect✉️ Email me at grant@businessasusualenglish.com for private or group classes.🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the next episode of Phrasal Verb News.

Episode overviewAt a Hyundai factory in Alabama, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out a dramatic raid. Workers on the assembly line were suddenly told to drop what they were doing and line up to be questioned. By the end of the day, 475 employees were arrested in what ICE described as a major undertaking.The raid is part of a sweeping policy to crack down on illegal immigration and hiring practices. But it has already come under fire from community leaders who say the approach was far too aggressive.In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we’ll break down the story and learn four useful phrasal verbs and idioms you can use in your professional life.What you will learndrop what you’re doing – to immediately stop your current activityEn español: dejar lo que estás haciendocrack down (on) – to take strong measures to stop somethingEn español: reprimir / tomar medidas enérgicas contracome under fire – to be criticized or attacked verballyEn español: ser criticado / estar bajo fuegomajor undertaking – a very large or difficult projectEn español: gran proyecto / esfuerzo importantePractice promptsHave you ever had to drop what you were doing because of an urgent situation?What’s something your government or company is cracking down on right now?Have you ever seen someone come under fire at work? For what reason?What’s the last major undertaking you worked on?Why listen?This episode takes a dramatic real-world event and turns it into an English learning opportunity. You’ll understand the news and learn idioms you can use in meetings, negotiations, and business discussions.Connect✉️ Email me at grant@businessasusualenglish.com for private or group classes.🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the next episode of Phrasal Verb News.

Episode overviewThe board of Tesla wants to pay Elon Musk one trillion dollars — yes, that’s a one followed by 12 zeros. But there are plenty of strings attached. Musk will only get the money if he hits ambitious milestones, from doubling Tesla’s market cap to launching self-driving taxis and humanoid robots. Even then, the payout comes with “golden handcuffs” — he must stay with Tesla for 10 years to collect the full amount.In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we’ll explore this record-breaking compensation package and learn idioms and phrasal verbs you can use in your own business English.What you will learnstrings attached – hidden conditions or requirementsEn español: condiciones ocultasballs in the air / things on your plate – to have many tasks or responsibilities at onceEn español: tener muchas cosas a la vezwind down – to reduce activity or gradually stop somethingEn español: reducir / ir cerrandotied to – connected with or dependent on somethingEn español: vinculado a / condicionado porPractice promptsHave you ever accepted an offer that had strings attached?Do you prefer having many balls in the air or focusing on one thing?What’s something in your work or life you’d like to wind down?Is your compensation tied to performance goals?Why listen?This episode blends a trending business story — Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar package — with practical English expressions you can use to talk about contracts, negotiations, and workplace performance. Perfect for professionals who want to sound more confident in meetings and discussions.Connect✉️ Email me at grant@businessasusualenglish.com for private or group classes.🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the next episode of Phrasal Verb News.

Episode overviewThree brothers from Scotland just set a world record that few would even dare to attempt: rowing across the entire Pacific Ocean. Starting in Peru and finishing in Australia, they rowed over 9,000 miles (14,500 km) in just 139 days — completely unsupported. Along the way they faced storms, seasickness, food shortages, and even a terrifying moment when one brother went overboard.But they didn’t let it take the wind out of their sails. Their determination paid off — they smashed the previous record by 20 days, raised over £700,000 for clean water projects, and truly made waves in the world of adventure sports.In today’s episode of Phrasal Verb News, we’ll look at some powerful water- and boat-related idioms that you can use not just for extreme adventures, but in business and everyday life.What you will learngo overboard – to do too much, to exaggerateEn español: exagerar / pasarse de la rayatake the wind out of someone’s sails – to discourage someone or reduce their confidenceEn español: desanimar / quitar el impulsopay off – to result in a positive or worthwhile outcomeEn español: valer la penamake waves – to cause a strong reaction or impactEn español: causar sensación / generar impactoPractice promptsCan you think of a time someone at work went overboard?What situation recently took the wind out of your sails, and how did you bounce back?What effort of yours recently paid off?Who is making waves in your industry right nowWhy listen?This story is both inspiring and educational — showing how endurance and teamwork can pay off, while also giving you idioms you can confidently use in meetings, presentations, and professional conversations.Connect✉️ Email me at grant@businessasusualenglish.com for private or group classes.🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the next episode of Phrasal Verb News.

Episode overviewThis week, Nestlé’s CEO was forced out after an internal investigation revealed he had crossed the line with a subordinate. The scandal came to light thanks to a whistleblower hotline, and the board quickly moved to replace him. In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we look at what happens when leaders dip the pen in company ink — and we also learn many ways to talk about quitting, resigning, or getting fired in English.What you will learn💼 Ways to talk about ending a job in English:fired / sacked / canned – harsh, informal ways to say someone lost their jobEn español: despedidolaid off / let go – softer terms, often used when it’s not the employee’s faultEn español: recortado / despedido sin culparesign / step down – formal ways to say you chose to leaveEn español: renunciar / dimitirquit – the direct way to say you left by choiceEn español: renunciar🔑 Phrasal verbs and idioms from the story:come to light – to be revealed or discoveredEn español: salir a la luz / descubrirsewhistleblower – a person who reports wrongdoing inside an organizationEn español: denunciante / informantecross the line – to behave in an unacceptable wayEn español: pasarse de la raya / cruzar la líneadip the pen in company ink – slang for starting a romantic relationship with a coworker (informal, tongue-in-cheek)En español: tener una relación con un compañero de trabajoPractice promptsWhat’s the difference between being laid off and being fired?Can you think of a time when something came to light at your workplace?Do you think whistleblowers are well protected in your country?Have you seen a colleague cross the line in a meeting or negotiation?Why listen?This episode blends real business news with workplace English vocabulary, giving you useful phrases to describe quitting, resigning, or getting fired. You’ll also learn idioms you can apply in meetings, HR discussions, and everyday business conversations.Connect✉️ Email me at grant@businessasusualenglish.com for private or group classes.🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the next episode of Phrasal Verb News.

Episode overviewAt the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin, China and India surprised the world by agreeing to bury the hatchet after years of border tension. Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi met face-to-face, signaling a desire to patch things up and focus on trade and stability.The summit also included plans to set up a new Development Bank to reduce dependence on Western institutions, potentially paving the way for projects in technology, green energy, and infrastructure. Leaders also agreed to lay the groundwork for long-term cooperation in security, climate change, and artificial intelligence through 2035.In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, you’ll learn four powerful phrasal verbs and idioms that apply not just to geopolitics, but also to business and everyday professional life.What you will learnpatch up – to fix a damaged relationshipEn español: hacer las pacesset up – to create or establish somethingEn español: establecerpave the way – to prepare conditions or make progress easierEn español: abrir el camino / facilitarlay the groundwork – to prepare the foundation for something biggerEn español: sentar las basesPractice promptsHave you ever had to patch up a professional relationship?What is something new you’d like to set up this year?What innovation do you think will pave the way for the future in your industry?What groundwork do you need to lay now to reach your goals next year?Why listen?This episode connects global news with English learning, showing how leaders use cooperation to build the future — and how you can use the same phrasal verbs in your business and career.Connect✉️ Email me at grant@businessasusualenglish.com if you’re interested in private or group classes.🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the next episode of Phrasal Verb News.

Episode overviewIt’s Friday, which means it’s time for our weekly review! In this recap of Phrasal Verb News, we revisit four big stories — from the US government buying into Intel, to new US tariffs, a tragic rescue mission on Victory Peak, and the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. Along the way, we’ll review more than a dozen phrasal verbs and idioms with Spanish translations and business-friendly examples.What you will reviewbounce back = recuperarseback off = echarse para atráscash in on = sacar provecho deget into = meterse en / involucrarse enboxed in = acorraladosort out = resolverpress pause = poner en pausatake effect = entrar en vigorloophole = vacío legal / resquicio legalset out = emprenderrun into = toparse condrop off = dejar / entregarpull through = salir adelante / recuperarsesubscribe to = adherirse a / estar de acuerdo conclear up = aclararpoint out = señalar / destacarwrite off = descartar / dar por perdidolive on = seguir vivo / perdurarStories coveredUS government buys 10% stake in Intel📦 End of the de minimis tariff rule🏔 Rescue attempts on Victory Peak🌊 Science vs. conspiracy in the Bermuda TrianglePractice promptsWhat’s a time your company had to bounce back?When did you run into an unexpected challenge?Have you ever had to write off a failed project?What tradition in your life or company still lives on?Why listen?This episode is perfect if you missed the daily shows or just want to reinforce your learning. You’ll practice expressions from the whole week, hear Spanish support, and get questions to apply the new vocabulary in your own context.Connect✉️ Email me at grant@businessasusualenglish.com if you’re interested in private or group classes.🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss next week’s episodes of Phrasal Verb News.