017 : English Idioms (Crocodile tears // Cry wolf)


 

INTRODUCTION

This is the SpeakEnglishWithTiffani podcast with Teacher Tiffani session #17. If you would like to read the transcript that goes along with this episode, go to speakenglishwithtiffani.com/episode17.    

Welcome to the Speak English with Tiffani podcast where you will learn English Vocabulary, Expressions, Idioms and much more! This podcast will take your English ability to the next level and help you to be more confident and more fluent when you Speak English. Are you ready? Well then, let’s jump right in!

Hey everyone, I’m Teacher Tiffani and I want to thank you so much for joining me for another episode of the Speak English with Tiffani podcast. In today’s lesson we are going to listen to one English dialogue and learn 2 new English Idioms.

DIALOGUE

Ok, let’s begin with the dialogue:

Michelle was cooking in her kitchen when her 5 year old son screamed that he was hurt and needed her to come. She was suddenly shocked, so she dropped what she was doing and ran straight to him. But, after she looked at him closely, she realized that the tears in his eyes were just crocodile tears. He smiled at her and began to giggle, but she was not smiling. She told him that it was not good to cry wolf, when nothing was really wrong.

Again

Michelle was cooking in her kitchen when her 5 year old son screamed that he was hurt and needed her to come. She was suddenly shocked, so she dropped what she was doing and ran straight to him. But, after she looked at him closely, she realized that the tears in his eyes were just crocodile tears. He smiled at her and began to giggle, but she was not smiling. She told him that it was not good to cry wolf, when nothing was really wrong.

Ok great, now let’s go over the two new idioms that were in the dialogue.

FIRST IDIOM

The first English Idiom was…

“Crocodile tears…” (repeat)

Now, repeat after me…
“Crocodile tears…” (repeat twice)

Ok, now let’s say it at a normal pace…
“Crocodile tears…” (repeat twice)

This idiom means a false or insincere display of emotion.


EXAMPLES

So, let’s look at five examples using this Idiom.

The first example is…

“His tears were not real. They were just crocodile tears.”

[Once again, this time repeat after me]
“His tears were not real. They were just crocodile tears.”

[Now, this time we will go at a more natural pace and I want you to try to follow me]
“His tears were not real. They were just crocodile tears.”

The second example is…

“Was she crying crocodile tears?”

[Once again, this time repeat after me]
“Was she crying crocodile tears?”

[Now, the last time at a regular pace]
“Was she crying crocodile tears?”

The third example is…

They were shedding crocodile tears.

[Once again, this time repeat after me]
They were shedding crocodile tears.

[Now, the last time at a regular pace]
They were shedding crocodile tears.

The fourth example is…

“The man cried crocodile tears when the woman died.”

[Once again, this time repeat after me]
“The man cried crocodile tears when the woman died.”

[Now, the last time at a regular pace]
“The man cried crocodile tears when the woman died.”

The fifth example is…

“I think he was shedding crocodile tears.”

[Once again, this time repeat after me]
“I think he was shedding crocodile tears.”

[Now, the last time at a regular pace]
“I think he was shedding crocodile tears.”

 


SECOND IDIOM

Ok good deal, now let’s go over the second idiom that was in the dialogue.

The second English Idiom was…

“Cry wolf” (repeat)

Now, repeat after me…
“Cry wolf” (repeat twice)

Ok, now let’s say it at a normal pace…
“Cry wolf” (repeat twice)

This idiom means to call for help when it is not needed.


EXAMPLES

So, let’s look at five examples using this Idiom.

The first example is…

“If you cry wolf too often, people will stop believing that you need help.”

[Once again, this time repeat after me]
“If you cry wolf too often, people will stop believing that you need help.”

[Now, this time we will go at a more natural pace and I want you to try to follow me]
“If you cry wolf too often, people will stop believing that you need help.”

The second example is…

“They cried wolf so many times.”

[Once again, this time repeat after me]
“They cried wolf so many times.”

[Now, the last time at a regular pace]
“They cried wolf so many times.”

The third example is…

“He accused her of crying wolf.”

[Once again, this time repeat after me]
“He accused her of crying wolf.”

[Now, the last time at a regular pace]
“He accused her of crying wolf.”

The fourth example is…

“Don’t cry wolf.”

[Once again, this time repeat after me]
“Don’t cry wolf.”

[Now, the last time at a regular pace]
“Don’t cry wolf.”

The fifth example is…

“Don’t cry wolf unless you really need help.”

[Once again, this time repeat after me]
“Don’t cry wolf unless you really need help.”

[Now, the last time at a regular pace]
“Don’t cry wolf unless you really need help.”

 


DIALOGUE

Ok, now let’s listen to the original dialogue again and see if you can recognize the 2 English Idioms.

Michelle was cooking in her kitchen when her 5 year old son screamed that he was hurt and needed her to come. She was suddenly shocked, so she dropped what she was doing and ran straight to him. But, after she looked at him closely, she realized that the tears in his eyes were just crocodile tears. He smiled at her and began to giggle, but she was not smiling. She told him that it was not good to cry wolf, when nothing was really wrong.

Did you hear them this time? Great! Excellent job! You now know 2 new English Idioms.

  1. Crocodile tears
  2. Cry wolf

These idioms will help you Speak English clearly, fluently, and confidently. So try to use these idioms at least one time today!

ENDING

Remember, if you want to see the transcript for this episode go to speakenglishwithtiffani.com/episode17.

This has been Teacher Tiffani with the Speak English with Tiffani podcast. Until next time, remember to Speak English!

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Arif Istifar
Arif Istifar
5 years ago

It would be so good, if we able to download the transcript. That’s all :’)

krystal hitomi
9 months ago

Reading your article helped me a lot and I agree with you. But I still have some doubts, can you clarify for me? I’ll keep an eye out for your answers.

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Reading your article helped me a lot and I agree with you. But I still have some doubts, can you clarify for me? I’ll keep an eye out for your answers.

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