Proper English

This week, we're tackling the thorny issue of prepositions associated with location - and the Idiom of the Week is 'At the drop of a hat.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license We also used the following sounds from Freesound: microwave ding.WAV by samplecat This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. FX swanee whistle up.wav by v0idation This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. greenfinch f.wav by ERH This work is licensed under the Attribution License.

In this episode we're considering some more of those little confusions of pronunciation and grammar that come up every now and then. Sylvia is giving her friend Mabel some much-needed encouragement in this week's Idiom of the Week, which is 'Butterflies in the stomach.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license We also used the following sounds from Freesound: audience.wav by pyoorgoodshed This work is licensed under the Attribution License. knocks on interior wood bathroom door quick desperate.wav by kyles This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. Opening Closing bathroom door.wav by Omar Alvarado This work is licensed under the Attribution License.

This week, we're examining the very British habit of apologising - and the little old ladies find themselves in 'a sorry state of affairs', this week's idiom… Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license We also used the following sounds from Freesound: cafe - takk, northern quarter, manchester by AntonyBK and Thunder Clap OWB KY 441x16.wav by Dave Welsh These works are licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

This week, we're all about abbreviations - and our intrepid detectives, Davidson and Roberts are illustrating the idiom 'On the QT' while on a stakeout. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license ...and this is the Davidson and Roberts theme: Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We also used the following sound from Freesound: cafe - takk, northern quarter, manchester by AntonyBK This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

This week, Mabel and Sylvia are helping us come up with some more phrasal verbs to do with health matters. The Idiom of the Week 'A Bitter Pill to Swallow.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license We also used the following sound from Freesound: cafe - takk, northern quarter, manchester by AntonyBK This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

This week, we're having an unscripted chat about pet hates - things you really don't like - and Sylvia and Mabel, the two little old ladies, are illustrating the idiom 'To blow the whistle on someone.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license The following music is also used: Stay The Course by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5048-stay-the-course License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license And these sound effects from Freesound are used, too: Lose_Funny_Retro_Video Game by cabled_mess This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. JailDoorClose.wav by TurtleLG This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

We did it! We got to episode 100! So in this week's episode, we're looking back on the last two years of Proper English, talking about the use of the word 'hundred' - and in this week's Idiom of the Week, one of our intrepid detectives appears to be unaware of a Red Letter Day. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish ...and this is the Davidson and Roberts theme: Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We've also used the following sounds from Freesound: Motorcycle start by roman_cgr and TaDa!.wav by jimhancock Both these sounds are licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. Here's to the next 100!

This week, we're talking about Ali's favourite animals - elephants (I bet you thought I was going to say cats)! The Idiom of the Week is 'A White Elephant.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish Various elephant sounds are courtesy of Zapsplat.com And these elephant sounds are from https://freesound.org Voice elephant.mp3 by vataaa and Elephant Trumpets Growls.flac by D.jones These Freesounds are licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

This week we're talking about all the different words, phrases and idioms we have in English describe things or people that we find annoying. We use quite a few in this episode! And those two little old ladies, Mabel and Sylvia are back illustrating the Idiom of the Week - in the aftermath of the Parish Council elections, which one of them was 'beside themselves with rage', do you think? Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We also used the following sound from Freesound: cafe - takk, northern quarter, manchester by AntonyBK This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

Questions, questions, questions. We have been asked so many - and we're taking the opportunity to answer some of them this week. And those lovely old ladies are back, illustrating this week's idiom: 'All over bar the shouting.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We're also grateful to Freesound for the following sounds: wah wah sad trombone.wav by kirbydx This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. audience.wav by pyoorgoodshed This work is licensed under the Attribution License.

This week, we're devoting a whole episode to answering a bunch of grammar-related questions that start 'What's the difference between…?' Meanwhile, our hapless detectives, Davidson and Roberts, are trying to solve of the mystery of who spilt the beans, which, coincidentally, is the Idiom of the Week! Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and this is the Davidson and Roberts theme: Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We're also grateful to Freesound for the following sound: wah wah sad trombone.wav by kirbydx This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

This week we're looking at words and phrases that enhance the meaning of verbs and other major word groups. Meanwhile, Roxy and Sergeant Roberts are defining the idiom 'Sticking your head above the parapet', in the aftermath of a disastrous team-building exercise. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and this is the Davidson and Roberts theme: Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, we're looking at vocabulary associated with the theatre - and this week's idiom is 'Let's get this show on the road!' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We're also grateful to Freesound for the following sounds: Applause 2.WAV by Sandermotions This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. croc-12.wav by kalinkamalinka This work is licensed under the Attribution License. running up stairs.aif by MAJ061785 wah wah sad trombone.wav by kirbydx This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. Approx 800 Laugh 1.wav by lonemonk This work is licensed under the Attribution License.

This month sees World Book Day being celebrated all round the world, so we thought we'd have an unscripted chat about books this week. The Idiom of the Week is 'Comparing apples with oranges.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This podcast also uses the following music: Village Consort by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4585-village-consort License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ And finally, we've used the following sound from Freesound: Owls.wav by Benboncan This work is licensed under the Attribution License.

This week's episode is another in our occasional series concerned with phrasal verbs - this time we're looking at vocabulary associated with shopping! The two Yorkshire ladies are talking about clumsy grandchildren to illustrate the idiom 'A bull in a china shop.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We also used the following sound from Freesound: cafe - takk, northern quarter, manchester by AntonyBK This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

Despite the title, this is not a Valentine's Day special - it's all about three little words in the English language that can sometimes be a bit of a handful - this week's idiom is 'Sick as a parrot.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We've also used some sounds from Freesound: Owls.wav by Benboncan This work is licensed under the Attribution License. Golf5.flac by acclivity This work is licensed under the Attribution Noncommercial License. ...and this sound comes from Soundbible: Sports Crowd by GoGo Licensed under the Attribution licence 3.0

This week, we're talking about rude words - we're talking about them, but we're not saying them! Davidson and Roberts are back this week, talking about problems at work and the idiom 'To let off steam.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and this is the Davidson and Roberts theme: Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We're also using an excerpt of this sound from Freesound: Last Post.wav by Benboncan This work is licensed under the Attribution License.

This week, we're looking into the rules governing adjective order. You didn't know about them? Well, you will after this episode. The Idiom of the Week is 'Every cloud has a silver lining.'…and listen to the end for Misha's poem! Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We've also used some sounds from Freesound: La cucaracha car Horn.wav by csnmedia porsche_911.wav by mharo These sounds are licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. Owls.wav by Benboncan This work is licensed under the Attribution License.

This week, we're talking about kicking up a fuss, being critical - yes, we're talking about complaining. Meanwhile, Roxy and Sgt Roberts are illustrating this week's Idiom: 'To nip it in the bud.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We also used the following sounds from Freesound: Sitcom Laughter 9x, Small Audience by Kinoton rain_strong_with_thunders.aif by loopbasedmusic Both are licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

This week, we're looking at two words: fun and funny - and we do our level best to explain the difference in meaning, and also their history and origins. The Idiom of the Week is 'a barrel of laughs.' No, really, it is. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We also used the following sound from Freesound: Sitcom Laughter 9x, Small Audience by Kinoton This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

In this week's episode we're all about the perfect tenses - and those two little old ladies are back in the café, gossiping over their cups of tea about this week's idiom, 'A perfect storm.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. If you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes, and also for incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish  License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We also used the following sound from Freesound: cafe - takk, northern quarter, manchester by AntonyBK This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

It's a bumper episode this week! We're looking back on the antics and escapades of our resident detectives, Davidson and Roberts as they investigate intriguing cases and discover exciting idioms and phrasal verbs along the way. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish  License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  ...and this is the Davidson and Roberts theme: Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and we'd also like to acknowledge the following sound effect from Freesound: Mobile Phone - outbound call ringing by Aldergrove_Studios This work is licensed under the Attribution License.

It's the end of the year, and so we're looking back on 2020 and looking forward to 2021. The idiom of the week is 'Another string to your bow.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes - and as a little bit of incidental music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...it also uses the following incidental music: Local Forecast - Slower by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3988-local-forecast---slower  License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license  Aerosol Of My Love by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7013-aerosol-of-my-love  License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

So here is it is - Merry Christmas! It's the festive episode, and this year we're talking about some of the Christmas traditions around the world - and those two old ladies are back, illustrating what we mean by the idiom 'All one's Christmases have come at once.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...it also uses the following incidental music: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and these sounds from Freesound: Pigs oinking by zachrau cafe - takk, northern quarter, manchester by AntonyBK Both licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. …and finally, this sound is from Soundbible: soundbible.com/1256-Sleigh-Bells-Ringing.html by Mike Koenig https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week's episode is an exercise in futility! Actually, that's what we're talking about. Futility. And how it has made such an impact on us that there are a large number of idioms to describe pointless actions. This week, we're making a point of looking at seven of them! Incidentally, you can find out more about The Scottish Play here: https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/quotes/page/5/  Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish  License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  ...it also uses the following incidental music: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ These sounds are from Freesound: Kittens and Cats by kevingate Prison door closing by brianbaltar cat purring and meow by skymary Pigs oinking by zachrau Mallard Duck Quack Flying Away.wav by WavJunction.com Geese by Bpianoholic All licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. …and this sound is from Soundbible: soundbible.com/1256-Sleigh-Bells-Ringing.html by Mike Koenig https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

As you probably know, one of our favourite subjects is food. We love food and we love cooking. So this week, we thought we'd share a couple of our favourite recipes with you! And those two old ladies are back in the local café, gossiping about Mr White and Judy - and illustrating this week's Idiom: 'Out of the frying pan and into the fire.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...also there's incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Guiton Sketch by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3834-guiton-sketch  License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  Loopster by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4991-loopster  License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  ...and not forgetting the following sound from Freesound: cafe - takk, northern quarter, manchester by AntonyBK This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

This week, our intrepid detectives, Davidson and Roberts, are investigating the case of a missing person in a furniture store - while using a number of phrasal verbs to do with time! The Idiom of the Week is 'That's the way the cookie crumbles.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish  License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  This week’s podcast also features the following incidental music from Incompetech:  Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 and Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and we'd also like to acknowledge the following sound effect from Freesound: Mobile Phone - outbound call ringing by Aldergrove_Studios This work is licensed under the Attribution License.

So, what do you do in your spare time? Trainspotting, collecting teapots, playing chess… Everybody has a hobby, don't they?We talk about the origin of the word hobby and discuss the various hobbies we've both had over the years.The Idiom of the Week is 'To get on (or off) your high horse.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...also there's incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and a sound effect from the BBC archive: Long burst of shutter clicks with motor drive of 35 mm SLR camera. bbc.co.uk © copyright 2020 BBC http://bbcsfx.acropolis.org.uk/assets/07076039.wav ...and not forgetting the following sounds from Freesound: cafe - takk, northern quarter, manchester by AntonyBK This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. Video Game Death Sound Effect by harrietniamh This work is licensed under the Attribution License. Horse Whinny, Close, A.wav by InspectorJ This work is licensed under the Attribution License. steam train horn 03 by eliasheuninck This work is licensed under the Attribution License.

This week, it's about time. About time for what? we hear you ask. It's about time we talked about how the different ways we talk about time in the English language. The Idiom of the Week is 'Over the Hill.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish  License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  There are also some sound effects from Freesound: Cuckoo Clock Ticking.aif by Dean-Raul_DiArchangeli This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. badaladas de relógio antigo.m4a by joanajojoalves This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. cheeringcrowd_01.wav by xtrgamr This work is licensed under the Attribution License. alarm_clock_ticking_02.wav by joedeshon This work is licensed under the Attribution License. Clock chime by LaCezio This work is licensed under the Attribution Noncommercial License. Analog Alarm Clock by bone666138 This work is licensed under the Attribution License.

This week, we're talking about how we use numbers in the English language: mainly about ordinal numbers and fractions. What's an ordinal number? Find out in this week's episode! We're also considering Calendar English - do we say Two Thousand Zero Nine, for instance? And in what order should we put dates? The Idiom of the Week is 'To paint yourself into a corner.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ There are also sound effects from Freesound and https://www.zapsplat.com:  Record Scratch #3 by musicvision31 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. TaDa!.wav by jimhancock This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

This week, we're having a laugh! We're talking about puns, and punchlines, and knock-knock jokes. The Idiom of the Week is 'You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This podcast uses the following incidental music: Fluffing a Duck by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3766-fluffing-a-duck License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ A number of sound effects come from http://www.freesoundslibrary.com - the license is also http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and these sounds from Freesound: wah wah sad trombone.wav by kirbydx This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com

We're revisiting superstitions for Hallowe'en - this time we asked our students to tell us about superstitions from their countries. The Idiom of the Week is 'Things that go bump in the night.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and includes the following sound effects from Freesound and Soundbible: Owls.wav by Benboncan This work is licensed under the Attribution License. http://soundbible.com/1336-Frog-Croaking.html by snottyboy This work is licensed under the Attribution License.

This week we're answering some of the questions about the English language our students regularly ask. The Idiom of the Week is 'Full of beans.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and features incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, we're considering word stress - and we don't mean getting all wound up about vocabulary! We're talking about the importance of emphasising the right syllables. The Idiom of the Week is 'To let the side down.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and features incidental music from Incompetech: NewsSting by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4124-newssting License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and sound effects from Freesound and https://www.zapsplat.com TaDa!.wav by jimhancock This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

We're back with more discourse markers: last week it was stuff we say in conversation - this week, we're looking into the ones we can use in essays and reports. The Idiom of the Week is 'To bite your head off.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and features incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2

Well, this week it appears we're all about the little additions, the fillers, the conversational tags, known formally as discourse markers! And this week sees the welcome return of Davidson and Roberts - and with the help of girlfriend Roxy they unravel the mystery of this week's idiom: 'To put the wind up somebody.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and features incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ...and these sounds from Freesound: QUARTER.WAV by hyderpotter This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. Microwave.m4a by sofiamadeira This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. TaDa!.wav by jimhancock This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. Royal Fanfare (With A Synth) by SoundsExciting This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. wah wah sad trombone.wav by kirbydx This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

This week, we're considering some more of the miscellaneous items that don't really into any of the usual categories - the little challenges our students come up against from time to time. The Idiom of the Week is 'To throw a spanner in the works.' And you might hear in the background, our neighbour's dogs barking at his sheep. We're in the countryside, you know. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This podcast uses the following sounds from Freesound: Gentle surf rolling on sandy beach Close Up by Jillismolenaar This work is licensed under the Attribution Noncommercial License. Cuckoo Clock, Breaking Down, A.wav by InspectorJ This work is licensed under the Attribution License. Whoosh by qubodup This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

This week, we're considering the past simple tense - and in particular, the different ways we pronounce the -ed at the end of the regular past participle. The Idiom of the Week is 'To be at a loose end.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We also use the following sound from Freesound: creaking sailing boat.wav by jimsim This work is licensed under the Attribution License.

This week, we're going back to school to learn about the phrasal verbs we use related to education. This lesson was inspired by Miriam and her Speaking Café in Goya, Argentina. This week's idiom is for the Speaking Café students and is 'To pass with flying colours.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This podcast uses the following sounds from Freesound: School Bell Ringing.WAV by paulw2k This work is licensed under the Attribution Noncommercial License. Whoosh by qubodup This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. wah wah sad trombone.wav by kirbydx This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. Seven Bells,Ship Time.wav by Benboncan This work is licensed under the Attribution License.

This week, we're all about Alison's favourite drink: tea! The Brits love their tea with milk, but should you put it in the cup before or after the tea? And who cares? This week's idiom is 'Not for all the tea in China'. Oh, and if you know Ali is quoting right at the very end, let us know and we'll give you an honourable mention in next week's episode! Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following sounds from Freesound and music from Incompetech: CarStartSkidCrash.wav  by musicmasta1 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. Steam kettle boiling and whistling by Jagadamba This work is licensed under the Attribution Noncommercial License. Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3458-bright-wish License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

We're back after a week's break - in this episode, we're all about the collective nouns. Ever wondered what you call a group of apes? Wonder no more, as Ali becomes a contestant on a strange game show - or is it all a dream? The Idiom of the Week is 'A different kettle of fish.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or  https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music: Village Consort by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4585-village-consort License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Happy Game Show by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3856-happy-happy-game-show License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, we're looking at the perils and pitfalls of translation, and asking: just how accurate are translation apps? We're talking about a number of different idioms this week - and what happens when you translate them from one language into another and then back… Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music: NewsSting by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4124-newssting License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ and uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Do you know what the average person spends about 26 years of their life doing? Sleeping, that's what! This week, we're talking about words and phrases associated with sleep. It'll keep you awake at nights…There are two Idioms of the Week: 'Burning the candle at both ends' and 'Counting sheep'. You'll need to do one, if you're doing the other!   Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.   You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley.   We used the following sounds from Freesound in this week's podcast:   Male Snore 3.wav by mattyharm This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. Howler Monkey call on the Yucatan Peninsula by bmccoy2 This work is licensed under the Attribution License. Sheep_Bleat.wav by n_audioman This work is licensed under the Attribution License. Music box lullaby by csnmedia This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

This week, we open by talking about list sentences and conjunctions - but the real subject is the truth about the clever things that famous people have said - can we believe everything that we read? The Idiom of the Week this week is 'To talk the hind legs off a donkey' - but we're not going to go on about it…   Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.   You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley.   This week’s podcast features incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, we're talking about some more of our favourite things: singers, drinks (regular listeners will already know Ali's favourite drink) and one of Dave's favourite things - poetry! The Idiom of the Week is 'to bite off more than you can chew.'   Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.   You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley.   This week’s podcast features incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, we're back on the subject of phrasal verbs - and this time, we're keeping it in the family! This week's featured idiom is 'Born with a silver spoon in one's mouth.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music as the opening and closing themes: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ ...and this is used as incidental music: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

We're back with a new season and a rejuvenated logo! This week, especially for our student Joaquim, we're going to tell you all about our holiday! Also, we're chatting about childhood holidays and we have not one, not two, but *three* Idioms of the Week! Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music: Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Supernatural Radio A by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4445-supernatural-radio-a License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week we're talking about cats - the cats we've shared our houses with, and the cat-related vocabulary that we use. We're also looking at the difference between 'In the end' and 'At the end' and the Idiom of the Week is 'Let the cat out of the bag.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following sounds from Freesound: Cat, Screaming, A.wav by InspectorJ cat meow by tuberatanka Cat purr.wav by Trautwein

This week, we're all about… what is it we're all about this week? Ah yes, ways to remember things - from remembering the names of the planets in our Solar System to jogging your memory about the number of days there are in the months of the year - we've got a mnemonic for that! And this week sees the return of our intrepid detectives, Davidson and Roberts, on the trail of the Rainbow Burglar. But who is the mysterious Roberta? Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This week’s podcast features incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What did you do at the weekend? We spent some time in the garden, and tidied our garden shed (it needed it). We found quite a lot of garden-related idioms and - we have a new feature: 'Where on earth does that come from?' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This week’s podcast features incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, it's Alison's turn to fly solo. Don't worry, Dave'll be back next week! It's all about the traditional English pub in this episode, a little bit of history of some pub names, and considering the difference between a pub and a bar. There's also a rundown of the answers to last week's quiz and the Idiom of the Week is 'Not my cup of tea.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley.   This podcast uses the following sounds from Freesound and music from Incompetech: https://freesound.org/s/258207/ by YleArkisto https://freesound.org/s/220754/ by FoolBoyMedia Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week we're taking a look at that peculiarly British tradition - the pub quiz! And we're giving you a chance to take part in our very own Proper English Pub Quiz! The Idiom of the Week is 'Head in the clouds.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This week’s podcast features incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, we return to the theme of names - we're concentrating on the wild and wonderful place names in England this time. The Idiom of the Week under investigation by Davidson and Roberts is 'Off the top of your head.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This week’s podcast features incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, Proper English is one year old! To celebrate, we're telling you the story of how this little podcast came into existence, what we've been doing this year, and what we've got in store for you in the future! We're also discussing the difference between the words 'sensible' and sensitive, and the Idiom of the Week is 'You can't have your cake and eat it!' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This week’s podcast features incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, we're talking about our names: first names and surnames - how they're spelt and pronounced, where they come from, and what they mean. We're also looking at the the difference between 'sound' and 'noise', and the Idiom of the Week is 'My name is mud.' Also, we're having a little competition: if you come up with a first name for Detective Inspector Davidson - and we like it - not only will you get a mention, but we'll use it in a future sketch! Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This week’s podcast features incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, we're talking with Carla, one of our students, about her experiences as a Brazilian living and studying in London. The Idiom of the Week is Carla's take on the words she didn't learn in English class. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This week’s podcast features incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, we're discussing some of the obstacles English language learners face when trying to polish their conversational skills. We'll also be looking at the difference between 'each' and 'every', and Sergeant Roberts learns from his girlfriend Roxie the meaning of the idiom 'A chicken and egg situation.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This week’s podcast features incidental music from Incompetech: Danse Macabre - Big Hit 2 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3590-danse-macabre---big-hit-2 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

We like to do something different in every episode - this week, we're reciting poetry! We're talking about rhythms and rhyme schemes, alliteration and assonance, and sad subjects and silly verse! Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following sounds from Freesound and music from Incompetech: https://freesound.org/s/170464/ by eliasheuninck https://freesound.org/s/188240/ by gadzooks https://freesound.org/s/392212/ by jjwallace Sad Trio by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4314-sad-trio License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, we're returning to the subject of prepositions - this time around, we're concentrating on the prepositions we use when we talk about time. We're also looking at the difference between 'allowed' and 'aloud', and long-suffering Detective Inspector Davidson has to explain to her sergeant what the idiom 'The penny dropped' means. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. If you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. This week’s podcast features incidental music from Incompetech: White by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4626-white License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week we're in conversation with our friend, the theatre director, lecturer, playwright and raconteur, Tony Gardner. Listen in on our conversation about Shakespearean words and phrases - and learn a little about English history with us! The Idiom of the Week is 'To catch a cold.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. This podcast uses the following music: Village Consort by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4585-village-consort License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week we're talking about the phrasal verbs we use when talking about our health - we're also considering the difference between talking and speaking, and the Idiom of the Week, appropriately enough, is 'As fit as a fiddle.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley.

In this episode, we're talking about countable and uncountable nouns - what they are, how you use them, and which words work well with them. We'll also be considering the difference between 'either' and 'neither' - and our hapless detective duo, Davidson and Roberts, return to illustrate what we mean when we use the idiom 'As thick as thieves.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at  https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. If you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.   This week’s podcast features incidental music from Incompetech: Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode, we're talking about some of the strange and wonderful things we say and do to avoid bad luck. We're also considering the difference between the words 'in' and 'inside', and the Idiom of the Week is 'To stick your neck out.' Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.

This week we're talking about Shrove Tuesday, otherwise known as Pancake Day, which is important to Alison as she gets to eat many pancakes! We're also looking at the difference between 'shy', 'embarrassed' and ashamed' - and our intrepid detectives Davidson and Roberts can 'smell a rat' in the latest Idiom of the Week. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.   This week’s podcast features incidental music from Incompetech: Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

So, this week we're looking at portmanteau words - new words created by combining parts or the sounds of two or more words. We're also considering the difference between 'come' and 'go' - and the Idiom of the Week is ‘Going all round the houses'. Listen right to the end... This podcast uses this sound from Freesound: https://freesound.org/s/198846/ by bone666138 This work is licensed under the Attribution License. …and music from Incompetech: Arcadia by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3377-arcadia/ License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, it's time for a bit of a Spring clean - we're having a look at some more of the little puzzles in the English language that our students and listeners find challenging. We're also looking at the difference between 'then' and 'than', and the Idiom of the Week is 'Blowing your own trumpet'.   Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.

In this episode, we’re back on the subject of contractions, concentrating this time on the verb 'to have'.  We're also considering the difference between the words 'bored' and 'boring', and the Idiom of the Week is 'The elephant in the room.' You can find us on italki at https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.

In this episode, we’re all about comparatives and superlatives - what they are, how you construct them, and when you use them. The Idiom of the Week is ‘That ship has sailed'.   You can find us on italki at https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube. Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.   This podcast uses this sound from Freesound: https://freesound.org/s/166838/ by Quistard

In this episode, we’re discussing some of the words and aspects of English grammar that even native English speakers find challenging. The Idiom of the Week is 'bite your tongue‘, and we're also considering the difference between 'make' and 'do'. You can find us on italki at https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube. Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.

Mealtimes are on our minds in this week's episode. When is it dinner, and when is it tea? Lunch, brunch or breakfast? We'll also be considering the difference between 'fun' and 'funny'. The Idiom of the Week is ‘Eat your heart out’, which is nothing to do with mealtimes. No chickens were harmed while making this podcast. You can find us on italki at https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or YouTube. Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.   This podcast uses this sound from Freesound: https://freesound.org/s/316921/ by Rudmer_Rotteveel

In this, the first episode of the new decade, we're taking it easy, indulging ourselves, being all laidback and talking in hushed tones about the art of relaxation. We're also taking some time (and space) to discuss the difference between infinity and eternity - and the Idiom of the Week is 'let sleeping dogs lie.' You can find us on italki at https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019) and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.   Music from https://filmmusic.io "Kalimba Relaxation Music" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)   "Fanfare for Space" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)   This podcast uses this sound from Freesound:   ttps://freesound.org/s/498394/ by 16FV16FVolejnikovaA

It's the last episode of the year, so we're taking this opportunity to look back on what we've achieved and all the new friends we've made since we started Proper English back in May. Also, we're remembering past New Year celebrations and talking about New Year traditions in the UK. Oh, and a massive THANK YOU to all our listeners across the world - we're really looking forward to the second year of Proper English! You can find us on italki at https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019) and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. This podcast uses the following sound from freesound: https://freesound.org/s/453750/ by kyles

In this bumper episode, we're beside ourselves with excitement, as we share stories of childhood Christmases, talk about traditional Christmas food - and generally get a bit giddy and giggly with Yuletide cheer! The Idiom of the Week is 'The proof of the pudding'. You can find us on italki at https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019) and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. This podcast uses the following sound from freesound: https://freesound.org/s/146976/ by zabuhailo

In this episode, we're incredibly pleased to announce that we're talking about intensifiers - The Idiom of the Week is ‘Many Happy Returns’, and we'll also be discussing the difference between 'got' and gotten'. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019) and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley.This podcast uses these sounds from freesound:https://freesound.org/s/146976/ by zabuhailo https://freesound.org/s/110158/ by justkiddink

In this episode, we’re back on the subject of phrasal verbs - this time, we're looking at phrasal verbs associated with cooking. The Idiom of the Week is ‘That takes the biscuit!’ Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.

In this week's episode, we're looking at some of the differences between British English and American English - pronunciation, spelling and some of the different words we use on either side of the Atlantic to describe the same things. The Idiom of the Week is 'Out of your depth'. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.

So this week, we return to talking about the weather, and in particular words associated with weather that we can use in different situations. The Idiom of the Week is ‘As cool as a cucumber’ - and this week, we introduce a new feature: ‘What’s the difference?’.   Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

Alison’s back! Hurrah! This week we’re talking about capitals (letters, not cities) and how and when to use them when you’re writing English. The Idiom of the Week is ‘The boot is on the other foot’.   Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

Dave’s flying solo this week - talking about the questions we answer on our Instagram page - Proper English Question Time! The Idiom of the Week is ‘Shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted’.     Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!   Music from https://filmmusic.io "White" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

In this episode, we’re starting a journey into a topic that always gets a conversation going - the weather! We’re concentrating on words associated with the rain this week, and, appropriately, the Idiom of the Week is ‘a storm in a teacup’. This podcast uses these sounds from Freesound: Long Birds Forest Ambience.wav by Motion_S | License: Attribution Thunderstorm 3.WAV by Sandermotions | License: Creative Commons 0 Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

This week, we’re talking about the pronunciation of some contractions in English - specifically those associated with the verb ‘to be’ and the modal verb ‘will’. The Idiom of the Week is ‘Bob’s your uncle’. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

This week, we’re back with more phrasal verbs - this time we’re looking at the ones you might use in your place of work. The Idiom of the Week is ‘Burning the midnight oil.’ Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

This week, we’re all about sport, whether it’s played on a pitch, a field, a court or a track! The Idiom of the Week has a sporting flavour, too: ‘The ball is in your court.’ Sound effects in this episode were obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com - apart from the tennis match which is a public domain recording, courtesy of https://freesound.org/s/114052/. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

Greetings! In this episode, we’re talking about the different ways we English say hello to each other every day - and this week’s idiom is perhaps not to be taken too seriously - in fact, you can ‘take it with a pinch of salt’! Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or Tumblr (properenglish). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

In this episode, we’re returning to food, and talking about the lovely sweet things we have at the end of a meal - rather appropriately, this week’s idiom is ‘Having a sweet tooth’. Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or Tumblr (properenglish). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

We’re in Italy! So, in this episode, we're looking at all the Italian words that have been incorporated into the English language. The Idiom of the week is ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do.’ Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or Tumblr (properenglish). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer! This podcast uses these sounds from freesound: Train Announcement in Italian and English by SoundExciting — https://freesound.org/s/428401/ — License: Attribution italian restaurant ambient.wav by extrafonia — https://freesound.org/s/321626/ — Creative Commons Universal

In this episode, we’re trying something a little different - we’re just having an unscripted chat about a few of our favourite things! The Idiom of the Week is ‘The grass is always greener’. PS Dave has since discovered that after a lifetime of thinking Terry Gilliam is Canadian, it turns out he was born in the States. Dave feels very silly indeed. Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or Tumblr (properenglish). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer! This episode uses this sound from freesound: British Pub Ambience by Yap Audio Productionhttps://freesound.org/people/Yap_Audio_Production/sounds/250192/Creative Commons License: Attribution

In this episode, we’re tidying up - talking about a few of the little challenges learners frequently puzzle over in English grammar and pronunciation - the ‘Idiom of the week’ is ‘The best thing since sliced bread.’ Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or Tumblr (properenglish). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

This week, we're all about modal verbs - should, could, shall - and all the rest. The Idiom of the week is 'To set your teeth on edge.' Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or Tumblr (properenglish). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer! This podcast uses a few sounds from Freesound: cutting.wav by techyactor15 -- https://freesound.org/s/382713/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Ripping cotton by Coolshows101sound -- https://freesound.org/s/255157/ -- License: AttributionChalk - Screeching - 02.wav by Sirderf -- https://freesound.org/s/332289/ -- License: Attribution

In this episode, we’re talking about the seaside, and childhood memories of holidays in seaside towns - the Idiom of the Week is ‘A drop in the ocean’, among others. Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or Tumblr (properenglish). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer! This podcast uses this sound from freesound: Waves on a sandy beach.wav by juskiddink -- https://freesound.org/s/194868/ -- License: Attribution

We’re back onto one of our favourite subjects this week - food! This epísode is mostly about Alison’s favourite meal, the Sunday roast dinner - and the Idiom of the Week is ‘Set a sprat to catch a mackerel’.   Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or Tumblr (properenglish). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

In this episode, we talk about how we address each other - sir, madam, doctor, professor, that sort of thing. This week’s idiom is ‘Out of the blue’ - and keep listening after the closing music for a masterclass in how not to pronounce ‘Two thousand and eleven’.   Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or Tumblr (properenglish). Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

In this episode, we talk about the most important meal of the day - the Full English Breakfast! The idiom of the week is ‘to open a can of worms’. Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4), to keep up to date with what we have lined up. Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

In this episode, we're considering the differences between the words 'comfortable' and 'convenient' and talking about the origins and meaning of the idiom 'The last straw'.   Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4), to keep up to date with what we have lined up. Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

We're looking at phrasal verbs again in this episode - this time, we're concentrating on the ones we regularly use around the house. 'Let the dog see the rabbit' is 'Idiom of the Week' - we'll be talking about what it means and where it originally comes from. Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4), to keep up to date with what we have lined up. Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

We're coming to you from an echoey hotel room on the outskirts of the Spanish city of Badajoz - and this time, we're taking a little break from English grammar to talk to you about... fish and chips! We'll also be considering the origins and meaning of the idiom 'Once in a blue moon'. Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4), to keep up to date with what we have lined up. Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

It's summer, and we're out on a day trip! We're close to the beautiful old city of Tomar, and we're chatting with our first guest - Emma of Portuguese Language Lessons - about the building blocks of the English language: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adjectives and prepositions! Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4), to keep up to date with what we have lined up. Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

In this episode, we talk about phrasal verbs related to travel, and consider what we mean when we say something ‘fell off the back of a lorry’. Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4), to keep up to date with what we have lined up. Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram (@properenglish2019), and we'll do our best to answer!

In this episode we discuss indefinite articles, and talk about what we mean when we say we’re ‘over-egging the pudding’.