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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Use surrounding words and sentence structure to recognize when a familiar word can mean its opposite.
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Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThis episode presents contronyms—words whose meanings can point in opposite directions—and uses context to make the intended sense clear. The lesson compares a few examples and encourages learners to check the sentence, object, and grammatical pattern instead of memorizing a single translation.
Cultural note: Contronyms can be confusing in short messages or instructions. If the action affects safety or a task, replace the ambiguous word with a more precise phrase such as “remove the dust” or “apply powder.”
Keep exploringIn one sentence you can turn a light off; in another, a light can go off—and context tells you what happened.
Phrase guide · 5 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Notice how grammar and object determine what “dust” or “seed” means.
Meaning
Remove fine particles from a surface, or apply a fine powder to something.
Tone & use
The object and situation disambiguate it: dusting a shelf usually removes dust; dusting crops can mean applying powder.
Example
“The instructions said to dust the work surface with flour before rolling the dough.”
Meaning
Remove seeds from fruit, or place seeds in soil so plants can grow.
Tone & use
The object and setting show which meaning is intended: seed a pepper versus seed a garden bed.
Example
“Before making salsa, she seeded the pepper; later, she seeded the vegetable patch.”
Read surrounding words to resolve opposite meanings.
Meaning
“Turn off” means deactivate something; “go off” can mean activate or begin sounding.
Tone & use
The subject and verb pattern matter: a person turns an alarm off, while an alarm goes off. Clarify if the timing matters.
Example
“The timer went off at noon, so Mira turned it off before the meeting began.”
Meaning
Show something to an audience, or filter, block, or check something to limit what gets through.
Tone & use
Common in media, hiring, health checks, and privacy. State what is being shown or filtered when the meaning could be unclear.
Example
“The library screened the documentary, while staff screened phone calls during the event.”
Meaning
Moving quickly, or fixed firmly so that it does not move or change.
Tone & use
“Run fast” describes speed; “hold fast” means stay firm, and “colorfast” means color resists running when washed.
Example
“The label says the fabric is colorfast, so its dye should not run in a normal wash.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
Try it · Choose the best expression
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