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“Small” idioms

intermediate

“Small” idioms

with alexQ

4. Intermediate

Idioms are a great way to understand the complexities of another language. Today's stream will feature a bunch of "small" idioms.

It’s a small world

"It turned out that the guy I met in Japan was traveling to upstate New York, just around the corner from where I was visiting my cousin. Boy, it’s a small world."

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What does “it’s a small world” mean in this context?

"My old English teacher is your aunt? It really is a small world!"

small talk

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What do you think “small talk” means?

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You ____ small talk.

"Maria introduced me to her parents, and we made small talk for a while."

to make someone feel small

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Does this idiom sound positive or negative?

"I felt she was trying to make me feel small because that’s the only way she knew to make herself feel better."

"When your children misbehave, tell them without making them feel small."

a small fortune

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How much money is “a small fortune”?

"I had to spend a small fortune to get my car repaired."

"Going to a private university in the US costs a small fortune."

in small doses

👉 If you do something “in small doses”, you do it in small amounts or for short periods of time. You can also use it to talk about spending time with someone.

"The book is incredibly dense, so I suggest reading it in small doses."

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A “dose” is ____.

"John can be quite funny, but I can only handle him in small doses."

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What do you think it means when you call someone a "small fry"?

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Full Video Duration: 15 minutes
Aired: almost 3 years ago

It’s a small world

"It turned out that the guy I met in Japan was traveling to upstate New York, just around the corner from where I was visiting my cousin. Boy, it’s a small world."

"My old English teacher is your aunt? It really is a small world!"

small talk

"Maria introduced me to her parents, and we made small talk for a while."

to make someone feel small

"I felt she was trying to make me feel small because that’s the only way she knew to make herself feel better."

"When your children misbehave, tell them without making them feel small."

a small fortune

"I had to spend a small fortune to get my car repaired."

"Going to a private university in the US costs a small fortune."

in small doses

👉 If you do something “in small doses”, you do it in small amounts or for short periods of time. You can also use it to talk about spending time with someone.

"The book is incredibly dense, so I suggest reading it in small doses."

"John can be quite funny, but I can only handle him in small doses."

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