for $39 million — a company once worth $4 billion —

then announced it was pivoting to AI. Its stock jumped

600% in one day.

In this episode we use the wild story of Allbirds to

break down 8 essential business English phrasal verbs

and expressions you'll hear in real workplace

conversations.

Vocabulary covered:

→ Set out to

→ Disillusioned

→ Fall apart

→ Wind down

→ Written off

→ Pivot

→ Branch out

→ Cash in on

New episodes every week — real news, real business

English.

Follow @businessasusualenglish for free resources,

live classes, and more.

A formidable winter storm is currently gripping the United States. But how do these weather terms apply to your next business meeting? In this episode of our Phrasal Verb News series, we broadcast from Medellin, Colombia, to break down the high-level English used to describe crisis management, extreme weather, and human behavior.

What You’ll Learn:

1. The Business of Weather: How terms like formidable and magnitude describe both storms and your toughest competitors.
2. Impact & Infrastructure: What it means when a city (or a server) is crippled or comes to a standstill.
3. 
   
4. Phrasal Verbs in Action:

1. Stock up on: Preparing for the worst by buying essentials.
2. Hunker down: Staying safe during a bad situation.
3. Ride it out: How to endure a difficult period, whether it's a storm or a year of low profits.
4. Social Intelligence: The subtle, professional difference between checking in on someone and catching up with them.
5. The Grammar Hack: A simple trick to never confuse Affect and Effect in your professional emails again.

Vocabulary Spotlight:

1. Grounded: Used for planes in a storm and misbehaving children at home.
2. Gripping: Why a great advertisement or presentation is just like a winter freeze.

Interactive Practice: Want to master these words? Comment "COLD" on our social media or click the link in the bio to receive the exact exercises I use with my private business clients.

Don't forget to check in on your friends in the US and subscribe for more deep dives into the English that moves your career forward.

The first is Sora 2, a platform some call “TikTok for AI-generated content,” where users can make realistic videos of anyone — living or dead. The second is a new adult-content mode in ChatGPT, approved only for verified users.

While OpenAI says these moves are about creative freedom, critics warn they could open a can of worms around copyright, ethics, and profit motives. Some say the company had to resort to risky ideas to bring in new revenue while still banking on its long-term AI vision.

But with rising costs and public backlash, many believe OpenAI may now be on thin ice.

🎙️ In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, Grant breaks down the full story and teaches 6 key expressions from the headlines:

💡 Vocabulary You’ll Learn:

1️⃣ Roll out – to launch or introduce something new

2️⃣ Resort to – to do something extreme when there’s no better option

3️⃣ Open a can of worms – to cause new, complicated problems

4️⃣ Bring in – to attract or generate money, users, or attention

5️⃣ Bank on – to depend on or expect something to happen

6️⃣ On thin ice – to be in a risky or unstable situation

Each comes with real examples, Spanish translations, and practice questions to help you use them confidently at work or in conversation.

☕ Support the Show: buymeacoffee.com/businessasusualenglish

📩 Contact: grant@businessasusualenglish.com

📚 Learn Real English Through Real Stories — new episodes weekly with news, idioms, and natural business English.

In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, Grant breaks down the shocking heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris — how it happened, why investigators are still looking into it, and what English learners can take away (besides the jewels).

You’ll learn 5 natural English phrasal verbs that describe investigation, escape, and problem-solving — perfect for both business and everyday use:

💬 Vocabulary from the Episode:

1️⃣ Blend in – to mix into your surroundings and go unnoticed

2️⃣ Make off with – to steal something and escape

3️⃣ Look into – to investigate something carefully

4️⃣ Slip through the cracks – to go unnoticed due to a mistake

5️⃣ Piece together – to connect bits of information to understand a situation

🎙️ Why listen?

Because real stories make phrasal verbs unforgettable — and this one feels straight out of a movie.

🧠 Learn Real English Through Real News

👨‍🏫 Host: Grant from Phrasal Verb News

📅 New episodes every week: news, idioms, and business English explained clearly

☕ Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/businessasusualenglish

📩 Contact: grant@businessasusualenglish.com

🎧 Listen anywhere: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

The deal was signed off on by both Israel and Hamas, marking what many are calling a rare diplomatic breakthrough. As part of the first phase, Hamas handed over 20 Israeli hostages while Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

The exchange nearly collapsed when Hamas delayed sending the list of names, but negotiators managed to sort it out, and the transfer went off without a hitch.

Trump later bragged that this wasn’t the first time he had pulled off a big deal — calling it “the most beautiful peace agreement ever made.”

In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, Grant breaks down the story and teaches 6 powerful expressions used in business, politics, and everyday life — all connected to negotiation, problem-solving, and success.

💬 Phrasal Verbs from Today’s Episode:

1️⃣ Broker (a deal) – to arrange or mediate an agreement.

2️⃣ Sign off on (something) – to officially approve.

3️⃣ Hand over (something) – to give control or possession to someone else.

4️⃣ Go off without a hitch – to happen smoothly and successfully.

5️⃣ Sort out (something) – to resolve a problem or confusion.

6️⃣ Pull off (something) – to achieve something difficult or impressive.

🎙️ Learn real English from real headlines every week with Grant on Phrasal Verb News — the show that helps you sound confident, natural, and informed.

☕ Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/businessasusualenglish

📩 Contact: grant@businessasusualenglish.com

📺 Watch the video version on YouTube: Phrasal Verb News

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado shocked the world by winning the Nobel Peace Prize, but three traders weren’t surprised at all — because they had already cashed in on her victory, making more than $90,000 in profit.

In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, Grant breaks down how a few insiders may have driven up the odds on a crypto betting site — and how the scandal has brought to light big questions about money, ethics, and the gray areas of online prediction markets.

You’ll learn 5 natural English expressions you can use in both business and daily life, all taken directly from this week’s headlines.

💬 Phrasal Verbs from the Episode:

1️⃣ Caught off guard – to be surprised by something unexpected.

2️⃣ Drive up – to increase quickly (prices, numbers, etc.).

3️⃣ Cash in – to profit from a situation.

4️⃣ Bring to light – to reveal something hidden.

5️⃣ Gray area – an unclear situation where the rules don’t fully apply.

🎙️ Learn real English through real news with Grant on Phrasal Verb News — the show that helps you sound professional, fluent, and informed about the world.

☕ Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/businessasusualenglish

📩 Contact: grant@businessasusualenglish.com

📺 Watch the video version on YouTube: Phrasal Verb News

In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, Grant breaks down how companies like OpenAI, Nvidia, AMD, and Oracle are caught in a cycle of mutual spending that looks great on paper but might be more fragile than it seems.

Learn how to talk about money, risk, and dependence in business English with today’s 5 key expressions:

💬 Phrasal Verbs You’ll Learn:

1️⃣ Prop up – to support something artificially.

2️⃣ Shell out – to spend a large amount of money.

3️⃣ On paper – when something looks good in theory but not in practice.

4️⃣ Rely on – to depend on something or someone for success.

5️⃣ House of cards – something that looks stable but is actually fragile.

📘 In this episode:

• What “circular transactions” really mean in the AI industry
• Why Nvidia’s $100B investment in OpenAI might be self-reinforcing
• How these business idioms and phrasal verbs apply to your work

🎙️ Learn real English from real business stories every week with Phrasal Verb News — the podcast where headlines meet language learning.

☕ Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/businessasusualenglish

📩 Contact: grant@businessasusualenglish.com

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

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 / idear
• Turn out → Resultar / terminar siendo
• Get by → Arreglárselas / sobrevivir
• Lead to → Conducir a / dar lugar a

Each 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

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/businessasusualenglish

Classes or Business Inquiries grant@businessasusualenglish.com

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 pata
• Come across as → dar la impresión de
• Get across → transmitir / comunicar
• Show 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.

TikTok 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 today

• come together – to gradually form or be completed
• En español: tomar forma / concretarse
• hold on to – to keep or retain something
• En español: conservar / mantener
• hammer out – to work hard to resolve or finalize details
• En español: negociar a fondo / resolver
• raise eyebrows – to cause surprise or disapproval
• En español: generar sorpresa / causar sospechas

Practice prompts

• Can 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 takeaway

TikTok’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

The 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 today

• keep something in check – to control or limit something
• En español: mantener bajo control
• take a back seat to – to become less important than something else
• En español: pasar a segundo plano
• better off / worse off – to be in a better or worse situation
• En español: estar en una mejor o peor situación
• ripple effect – when one action causes many effects
• En español: efecto dominó / efecto en cadena

Practice prompts

• What’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 takeaway

The 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.

After 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 today

• Give your 2 cents – compartir tu opinión
• Capitalize on – aprovecharse de
• Backfire – salir mal / volverse en contra
• Put your foot in your mouth – meter la pata
• Pay the price – pagar el precio

Practice prompts

• Is 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 takeaway

Free 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

Rudeness 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 learn

• be short with someone – to speak in a curt or unfriendly way
• En español: ser cortante con alguien
• cut someone off / talk over – to interrupt someone while they’re speaking
• En español: interrumpir / hablar por encima
• talk down to someone – to speak as if the person is less intelligent
• En español: hablar con condescendencia / tratar como inferior
• put someone down – to insult or humiliate someone
• En español: menospreciar / humillar
• talk behind someone’s back – to criticize someone when they aren’t present
• En español: hablar a espaldas de alguien
• stem from – to come from or be caused by something
• En español: provenir de / originarse en

Practice prompts

• Has 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.

After 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 learn

• word got around – a story spread from person to person
• En español: correr la voz
• run out (of) – to use something until there is none left
• En español: quedarse sin / acabarse
• turn out – to result in an unexpected way
• En español: resultar / terminar siendo
• piece together – to rebuild or understand something from small parts
• En español: reconstruir / armar poco a poco

Practice prompts

• What’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.

At 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 learn

• drop what you’re doing – to immediately stop your current activity
• En español: dejar lo que estás haciendo
• crack down (on) – to take strong measures to stop something
• En español: reprimir / tomar medidas enérgicas contra
• come under fire – to be criticized or attacked verbally
• En español: ser criticado / estar bajo fuego
• major undertaking – a very large or difficult project
• En español: gran proyecto / esfuerzo importante

Practice prompts

• Have 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.

The 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 learn

• strings attached – hidden conditions or requirements
• En español: condiciones ocultas
• balls in the air / things on your plate – to have many tasks or responsibilities at once
• En español: tener muchas cosas a la vez
• wind down – to reduce activity or gradually stop something
• En español: reducir / ir cerrando
• tied to – connected with or dependent on something
• En español: vinculado a / condicionado por

Practice prompts

• Have 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.

Three 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 learn

• go overboard – to do too much, to exaggerate
• En español: exagerar / pasarse de la raya
• take the wind out of someone’s sails – to discourage someone or reduce their confidence
• En español: desanimar / quitar el impulso
• pay off – to result in a positive or worthwhile outcome
• En español: valer la pena
• make waves – to cause a strong reaction or impact
• En español: causar sensación / generar impacto

Practice prompts

• Can 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 now

Why 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.

This 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 job
• En español: despedido
• laid off / let go – softer terms, often used when it’s not the employee’s fault
• En español: recortado / despedido sin culpa
• resign / step down – formal ways to say you chose to leave
• En español: renunciar / dimitir
• quit – the direct way to say you left by choice
• En español: renunciar

🔑 Phrasal verbs and idioms from the story:

• come to light – to be revealed or discovered
• En español: salir a la luz / descubrirse
• whistleblower – a person who reports wrongdoing inside an organization
• En español: denunciante / informante
• cross the line – to behave in an unacceptable way
• En español: pasarse de la raya / cruzar la línea
• dip 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 trabajo

Practice prompts

• What’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.

At 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 learn

• patch up – to fix a damaged relationship
• En español: hacer las paces
• set up – to create or establish something
• En español: establecer
• pave the way – to prepare conditions or make progress easier
• En español: abrir el camino / facilitar
• lay the groundwork – to prepare the foundation for something bigger
• En español: sentar las bases

Practice prompts

• Have 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.

It’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 review

• bounce back = recuperarse
• back off = echarse para atrás
• cash in on = sacar provecho de
• get into = meterse en / involucrarse en
• boxed in = acorralado
• sort out = resolver
• press pause = poner en pausa
• take effect = entrar en vigor
• loophole = vacío legal / resquicio legal
• set out = emprender
• run into = toparse con
• drop off = dejar / entregar
• pull through = salir adelante / recuperarse
• subscribe to = adherirse a / estar de acuerdo con
• clear up = aclarar
• point out = señalar / destacar
• write off = descartar / dar por perdido
• live on = seguir vivo / perdurar

Stories covered

• US government buys 10% stake in Intel
• 📦 End of the de minimis tariff rule
• 🏔 Rescue attempts on Victory Peak
• 🌊 Science vs. conspiracy in the Bermuda Triangle

Practice prompts

• What’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.

In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we explain the story and break down four useful phrasal verbs with Spanish translations and business-friendly examples.

What you will learn

• bounce back – to recover after a setback
• En español: recuperarse
• back off – to retreat or stop pressuring someone
• En español: echarse para atrás
• cash in on – to benefit financially from something
• En español: sacar provecho de / beneficiarse de
• get into – to enter or involve oneself in a new area
• En español: meterse en / involucrarse en

Practice prompts

• Can you think of a time when you or your company had to bounce back from failure?
• Have you ever had to back off in a negotiation or discussion at work?
• Do you think it’s always ethical for companies to cash in on trends? Why or why not?
• What new industry or area would you like to get into if you had the chance?

Why listen?

This episode combines a major tech and politics story with phrasal verbs you can use in business English, explained clearly with Spanish support. It’s practical English learning through real-world news.

Connect

✉️ Email me at grant@businessasusualenglish.com if you’re interested in classes or corporate training.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the next episode of Phrasal Verb News.

Today’s story is a tragic one about Russian mountaineer Natalya Negovista, who became stranded on Victory Peak after breaking her leg during descent. Despite repeated rescue missions and climbers dropping off supplies, brutal weather and icy conditions forced authorities to eventually call off the search. The story highlights both the dangers of extreme mountaineering and the courage of those who set out to help.

What you will learn

Four essential English phrasal verbs with Spanish translations and business-friendly examples:

• set out – to begin a journey or major task
• En español: emprender / ponerse en camino
• run into – to encounter someone or something unexpectedly
• En español: toparse con / encontrarse con
• drop off – to deliver or leave something for someone
• En español: dejar / entregar
• pull through – to survive or recover from a very difficult situation
• En español: salir adelante / recuperarse

Practice prompts

• Have you ever set out on a big project or challenge at work?
• Can you remember a time you ran into an unexpected problem?
• What’s something you had to drop off for a colleague or client?
• When did you or your company have to pull through a tough situation?

Connect

Send me an email at grant@businessasusualenglish.com if you’re interested in classes or corporate training.

And don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the next episode of Phrasal Verb News.

Why is the Bermuda Triangle still so mysterious? In today’s episode of Phrasal Verb News, we clear up the myth with science, not superstition. Australian scientist Karl Kruszelnicki argues that statistics and weather explain what happens in the region between Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico.

What you will learn

Five useful English phrasal verbs with Spanish translations and business-friendly examples:

• subscribe to – to agree with an idea
• En español: adherirse a / estar de acuerdo con
• clear up – to explain or resolve (also when the sky clears after rain)
• En español: aclarar
• point out – to highlight or mention something important
• En español: señalar / destacar
• write off – to dismiss as unimportant or give up on something
• En español: descartar / dar por perdido
• live on – to continue or endure, to remain alive in memory or tradition
• En español: seguir vivo / perdurar

Practice prompts

• What is a theory you do not subscribe to?
• When did you have to clear up a misunderstanding at work?
• What did a colleague point out that you missed?
• Have you ever had to write off a project or investment?
• What tradition at your company still lives on?

Connect

Send me an email at grant@businessasusualenglish.com if you’re interested in classes or corporate training.

And don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the next episode.

For years, packages under $800 could enter the U.S. duty-free, but starting August 29, President Trump’s executive order will remove that exemption. Shipping companies like DHL, La Poste, Correos, and Royal Mail say they feel boxed in by the sudden change and are pressing pause on some deliveries until they can sort out the logistics.

Supporters of the move say it closes a dangerous loophole that let unsafe products slip through. Critics warn it could backfire — raising costs for ordinary shoppers and creating chaos for shippers.

From this story, you’ll learn 5 key phrasal verbs and idioms, with Spanish translations and examples:

• Boxed in – acorralado / sin salida
• Sort out – resolver / arreglar
• Press pause – poner en pausa / suspender
• Take effect – entrar en vigor
• Loophole – vacío legal / resquicio legal

👉 Learn how to use these expressions in business and everyday life with practice questions included.

🎧 Listen daily on Spotify or YouTube: Phrasal Verb News

📧 Contact: grant@businessasusualenglish.com

The judge accepted his apology, saying he wasn’t acting in bad faith — but the mistake still delayed a murder trial and could have easily backfired. Luckily for him, the judge bought it and the case continued.

We’ll break down 5 useful expressions from this story, with English examples, Spanish translations, and practice questions you can use to improve your business English:

• In hot water – estar en problemas / estar en aprietos
• Slip up – equivocarse / cometer un error
• In bad faith – de mala fe
• Backfire – salir mal / volverse en contra
• Buy it / Buy into it – creerlo / tragarse la historia

👉 Learn how to use these expressions in everyday and business contexts, plus practice questions to make the language stick.

📧 For private Business English lessons, contact Grant at grant@businessasusualenglish.com

These events highlight the shifting dynamics in the search for peace in Ukraine — and give us the perfect context to learn 5 powerful expressions you can use in business, negotiations, and everyday life:

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• be sidelined – quedar al margen / ser dejado de lado
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• put something on the table – poner algo sobre la mesa
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• rule out – descartar
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• pivot – dar un giro / cambiar de rumbo
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• play into someone’s hand – jugar a favor de alguien / facilitarle las cosas
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👉 Each expression comes with real-world examples, Spanish translations, and practice questions to help you use them right away.

If you’re a busy professional, this 5-minute podcast helps you build a daily English habit while staying up to date on politics, business, and culture.

📩 Interested in taking your business English further? Contact me at grant@businessasusualenglish.com.

🎧 New episodes every weekday on Spotify and YouTube.

In today’s episode, we cover the Air Canada strike that disrupted hundreds of flights before the airline, government, and union reached a last minute deal. Along the way, you will learn 5 useful expressions you can use in business and everyday life

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• Give a heads up → to warn in advance aviso, advertencia
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• Step in → to intervene intervenir
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• Pull an all nighter → to stay up working or studying all night pasar la noche en vela, trasnochar
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• Get back on track → to return to normal progress retomar el rumbo
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• Out of the woods → out of danger but not fully safe yet fuera de peligro, pero todavía no seguros
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For my Spanish speaking listeners incluyo las traducciones al español y ejemplos en cada parte para que quede aún más claro.

By the end of this episode you will understand the story and know how to apply these expressions in your own professional and personal conversations.

Listen now, practice out loud, and start using these phrases today.

Work with me

If you are a professional who wants to level up your English for meetings, presentations, and daily work, I offer 1 to 1 online classes and custom training for teams.

📧 Contact Grant at grant@businessasusualenglish.com to ask about availability, prices, and a free consultation.

As always, we’ll use this real news story to learn 5 powerful phrasal verbs you can start using right away:

• set aside – dejar de lado / reservar
• flare up – estallar / intensificarse
• bring about – provocar / ocasionar
• step up – intensificar / reforzar
• get out of hand – salirse de control

👉 Each verb comes with clear examples in English, Spanish translations, and a question for you to practice.

Whether you’re a busy professional or just want to make your English more natural, this 5-minute daily podcast will help you improve your vocabulary while staying up to date with the news.

🎧 Available every weekday at 6AM (Colombia time) on Spotify and YouTube.

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From this story, you’ll learn five useful expressions you can use in both everyday and business conversations:

• Clamp down on – to take strong action to stop or control something.
• Back down – to change your position or admit defeat after pressure.
• Carry on – to continue doing something.
• Short-sighted – not considering the long-term effects of an action.
• End up – to finally be in a particular place or situation, often without planning it.

We’ll cover what each phrase means, give examples in real-world and business contexts, and ask you practice questions so you can start using them right away.

If you're interested in personalized classes to improve your English, send me an email at grant@businessasusualenglish.com

From this story, you’ll learn four practical expressions for everyday and business English:

• Stray – an animal with no home or owner.
• Figure out – to find a solution to a problem.
• Happen to – to do something by chance.
• Roll out – to officially launch or introduce something new.
• Cut down on – to reduce the amount of something.

I’ll explain each one, give examples, and ask you practice questions so you can start using them right away.

If you're interested in personalized English classes email me at grant@businessasusualenglish.com

From this story, you’ll learn four powerful expressions you can use in both everyday and professional English:

• Pass away – a polite way to say “die.”
• Undergo – to experience something difficult, serious, or important.
• Set the clock back – to return to an earlier, often worse, time or situation.
• Fan the flames – to make a bad situation worse, often by increasing emotions like anger or fear.

We’ll go through each one with examples, including business contexts, and you’ll get practice questions so you can start using these expressions right away.

✅ Learn the difference between:

• Positive responses (“Never been better”)
• Neutral responses (“Same old, same old”)
• Negative responses (“Under the weather”)

🎯 You’ll also discover:

• When “How are you?” is just a polite hello
• Casual phrases like “How’s it going?” and “What’s the haps?”
• How tone of voice changes the meaning entirely

Start mastering small talk — and make your everyday English sound way more natural.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases:

1. Step up – To take responsibility or accept a challenge in a brave way.

• Example: "She stepped up to lead the project when no one else wanted to."
• Question: Can you think of a time when you stepped up to face a challenge?

1. Shake up – To disrupt or revolutionize something.

• Example: "The new software shook up the way we manage projects."
• Question: What’s a recent innovation that has shaken up your industry?

1. Pave the way – To prepare for something new or groundbreaking.

• Example: "The invention of electricity paved the way for modern technology."
• Question: What do you think has paved the way for major advancements in your field?

1. Pull off – To succeed in doing something difficult.

• Example: "The team pulled off a successful product launch despite the tight deadline."
• Question: Can you recall a time when you pulled off something seemingly impossible?

1. Moment of truth – A critical point where the success or failure of something is determined.

• Example: "Presenting the new strategy to the board was the moment of truth."
• Question: What was your last moment of truth, and how did it go?

1. On board – To agree with or support something.

• Example: "We need everyone on board before we can move forward with the plan."
• Question: How do you usually get others on board with your ideas?

1. Break out – To start suddenly, often referring to something negative like a conflict or disease.

• Example: "The meeting was interrupted when an argument broke out."
• Question: Have you experienced a situation where something broke out unexpectedly?

1. Cross the line – To go beyond what is acceptable.

• Example: "Using someone else’s work without credit crosses the line."
• Question: Can you think of an example where someone crossed the line? How did you handle it?

1. Look forward to – To be excited about something that will happen in the future.

• Example: "She’s looking forward to her first vacation in years."
• Question: What’s something you’re looking forward to and why?

1. Turn around – To drastically improve a situation.

• Example: "Getting a mentor helped turn his career around."
• Question: Can you think of a moment when something turned your life around?

Practice Activity:

Try retelling Tawana Looney’s inspiring story using these phrases to solidify your understanding. For extra practice, write a summary or record yourself discussing this topic.

Call to Action:

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share! Want more? Watch our episode on the Romanian elections for even more useful phrases and idioms. Check out the video version on our YouTube channel: Business as Usual English. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we explore the dramatic annulment of Romania’s presidential election and use the story to teach six essential phrasal verbs: call off, stir up, nullify, bring forward, go ahead, and stand up for. Whether you're a business professional or an English learner, this episode offers practical examples and questions to help you use these phrases confidently in your everyday conversations.

Key Vocabulary and Definitions

1. Call Off

• Definition: To cancel something that was planned.
• Example: The court decided to call off the second round of elections due to allegations of interference.

1. Stir Up

• Definition: To provoke or cause trouble, excitement, or emotion.
• Example: The allegations stirred up controversy across the country.

1. Nullify

• Definition: To invalidate or cancel something, often in a legal context.
• Example: The court nullified the election results, acting as if they never happened.

1. Bring Forward

• Definition: To present something, such as evidence or an idea, for consideration.
• Example: Romanian intelligence agencies brought forward evidence of Russian interference.

1. Go Ahead

• Definition: To proceed or continue with something, despite challenges.
• Example: Lasconi argued that the elections should have gone ahead despite the allegations.

1. Stand Up For

• Definition: To defend or support someone or something.
• Example: The Prime Minister stood up for the annulment, saying it was the right decision.

Practice Questions

1. Call Off: Can you think of a time when something important, like a meeting or event, was called off? How did you feel about it?
2. Stir Up: Have you ever been in a situation where someone stirred up trouble unnecessarily? How did people react?
3. Nullify: If you could nullify one law or rule, what would it be and why?
4. Bring Forward: When was the last time you brought forward a great idea or important evidence? How was it received?
5. Go Ahead: Can you think of a time when something went ahead despite challenges? What was the outcome?
6. Stand Up For: Have you ever stood up for someone being treated unfairly? What happened, and how did you feel?

Call to Action

Want to make these phrasal verbs a part of your vocabulary? Try using them in a conversation today!

• Practice explaining this news story to a friend or colleague using at least three of the phrases.
• Share your answers to the practice questions in the comments or on social media.

💬 Join the conversation: What’s your take on Romania’s election annulment? Should the process have gone ahead despite the allegations?

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes of Phrasal Verb News, where global headlines meet actionable English lessons.

Join me, Grant, as we explore the “Grate Cheese Robbery,” a bizarre true crime story about a half-million-dollar cheddar heist. But this isn’t just a news recap—it’s your chance to learn real-life English through phrasal verbs and idioms in context.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Key Phrasal Verbs and Idioms:
• Cheesy / Corny
• Pull Off
• Went Down
• Golden Opportunity
• Reputable
• Track Down
• Take On
• Come Through
• Take the Hit
• Keep an Eye Out
• How It Works:

1. Hear the story and phrasal verbs in context.
2. Get clear, simple explanations with Spanish translations.
3. Answer practice questions to reinforce your learning.

Why Listen?

This podcast is perfect for intermediate to advanced English learners looking to:

• Improve their vocabulary with real-world examples.
• Understand how phrasal verbs work in professional settings.
• Fit learning into their busy schedules while commuting, exercising, or doing chores.

Bonus for Spanish Speakers:

I include quick Spanish translations and examples to make learning even easier.

Don’t Forget!

Check out the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel: Business as Usual English. And if you have questions or want to share your answers to the practice questions, leave a comment or send me an email at grant@businessasusualenglish.com.

Let’s make learning English fun and practical! Thanks for tuning in, and stay tuned for the next episode.