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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Recognize a fruitless search, a temporary retreat, and the most important part of something.
VOA source audio
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThis episode looks at expressions associated with Shakespeare that continue to appear in everyday English. The guide focuses on three distinct phrases: an unproductive search, staying unnoticed for a while, and the element someone considers most important.
Cultural note: The source attributes several familiar expressions to Shakespeare, but an expression appearing in a play does not always mean the playwright invented it. “Lie low” can describe a temporary pause or keeping a low profile; it should not be used to encourage someone to evade accountability.
Keep exploringA literary phrase can outlive the play it came from—and still sound natural in a conversation today.
Phrase guide · 3 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Describe looking for something that cannot be found.
Meaning
A search or pursuit that is unlikely to find what someone wants.
Tone & use
Informal and often mildly critical. Use it when the search itself is pointless, not just when it takes a long time.
Example
“We went on a wild-goose chase looking for the old entrance; the building had been renumbered years ago.”
Talk about temporarily staying quiet or out of attention.
Meaning
Stay quiet or out of public attention for a period of time.
Tone & use
Informal. It can mean taking a break from attention, but in a legal or ethical situation it may suggest avoiding responsibility.
Example
“After the launch, the small team planned to lie low for a week and catch up on rest.”
Name the central or most important part of something.
Meaning
The most important or decisive part of something.
Tone & use
Often used in negative statements to say that one thing is not the only thing that matters. It can sound emphatic or slightly old-fashioned.
Example
“A high score can help, but it is not the be-all and end-all of learning a language.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
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