Learn
Watch & LearnLearning Paths
Daily EnglishSocial EnglishProfessional EnglishVOA English
Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Understand the phrase’s social meaning and use class-related language thoughtfully.
VOA source audio
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThe episode explains “the wrong side of the tracks” as a phrase associated with the poorer or less-resourced part of a town, and discusses its use in stories about class differences. It also introduces “rags-to-riches,” a narrative in which someone moves from poverty to wealth. These phrases describe cultural ideas, not objective judgments about a neighborhood or its residents.
Cultural note: “Wrong side” can stigmatize people and places by treating wealthier areas as good and poorer areas as bad. Avoid labeling real communities this way; describe specific conditions or resource gaps instead. “Rags-to-riches” can also oversimplify structural barriers by implying success depends only on individual effort.
Keep exploringA familiar expression about railroad tracks carries a social judgment. Learn what it implies—and how to speak more precisely about a community.
Phrase guide · 4 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Understand the social meaning behind the phrase.
Meaning
A phrase traditionally used for a poorer or less-resourced area of a town.
Tone & use
Can carry class prejudice and stigmatize residents. For real places, name specific conditions—such as limited transit or fewer public services—instead.
Example
“The report compared access to parks across neighborhoods rather than labeling one the “wrong side of the tracks.””
Recognize a familiar narrative about moving from poverty to wealth.
Meaning
Describing a story of someone moving from poverty to wealth.
Tone & use
Often used for an inspiring success narrative. It can oversimplify how luck, public policy, and unequal access shape people’s opportunities.
Example
“The documentary questions the idea that every rags-to-riches story follows the same path.”
Meaning
Succeed despite a difficulty or barrier.
Tone & use
A neutral phrase. When discussing social barriers, avoid suggesting that individuals alone should have to solve problems created by unequal systems.
Example
“The residents organized together to overcome the obstacle of a missing pedestrian crossing.”
Replace labels with specific, respectful descriptions.
Meaning
Not common or easy to find; widely separated.
Tone & use
Use for things that are scarce, such as clinics or bus routes. It describes frequency or distance, not the people who live nearby.
Example
“Late-night buses are few and far between in the outer suburbs.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
Try it · Choose the best expression
1 of 3
