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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Learn phrases about steady effort, focus, and showing off through an old fable.
VOA source audio
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThe program retells Aesop’s fable of two very different racers and draws attention to focus, determination, and pacing. Expressions include “slow and steady wins the race,” “keep your eyes on the prize,” and “show off.” The moral is a story device, not a rule that slow work always wins or fast work always fails.
Cultural note: The fable uses animals as characters to make a point about behavior. Its lesson can encourage persistence, but people and tasks differ; speed, rest, teamwork, and access to resources all matter. Do not use the hare as a label for someone whose working pace you do not understand.
Keep exploringThe race is memorable, but the useful phrases work beyond competitions. Learn how speakers talk about staying focused and moving at a sustainable pace.
Phrase guide · 4 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Talk about continuing at a manageable pace.
Meaning
Consistent effort can be more effective than rushing toward a goal.
Tone & use
A proverb, not a guarantee. Some tasks are urgent; choose a pace appropriate to the situation.
Example
“She revised one section each evening; slow and steady wins the race.”
Describe keeping attention on an intended result.
Meaning
Stay focused on the result you hope to achieve.
Tone & use
Encouraging and informal. Do not let goal focus become an excuse to ignore health or other people’s needs.
Example
“We kept our eyes on the prize but adjusted the plan when the budget changed.”
Recognize boasting and the way it can affect a task.
Meaning
Try to attract attention by displaying one’s abilities or possessions.
Tone & use
Usually critical or teasing. Use it carefully, since showing a skill is not always bragging.
Example
“He was not showing off; he was demonstrating the safety feature for the class.”
Meaning
Be unable to compete successfully against someone or something stronger or more capable.
Tone & use
Can sound dismissive when applied to people. Use it for a specific comparison, not a person’s general worth.
Example
“The old battery was no match for a full day of video calls.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
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