Sometimes you just gotta know when to quit. Today’s episode is all about ending things! Join Harp and Andrew as they introduce, explain, and discuss three expressions that can be used when things end suddenly or prematurely.

Expressions included in the Learning Materials

* At the end of the day

* To pull the plug

* Back in the day

* The bottom line

* To step in and save the day

* To axe something or someone

* To jump ship

* Are you sitting down?

* Lay it on me In a bind

Sample transcript

Andrew: Harp, how have you been?

Harp: I’ve been pretty good, you know. Cooking a lot, actually.

Andrew: Yeah? What type of stuff have you been cooking?

Harp: I just love cooking in the fall with all the squash and root vegetables. And it’s not so hot so it feels just, like, nice and cozy to cook.

Andrew: One of my favourite things about cooking in the fall is how all the aroma sort of builds up in your house.

Harp: I know exactly what you mean.

Andrew: It just smells like home.

Harp: Mmhmm. Exactly.

Andrew: Yeah. Right on. OK, well, should we get started with today’s episode?

Harp: I think we should.

Andrew: Cool. Today we are going to do a Catchword episode. And this is where we pick three expressions that are all related and we explain them and we give examples of how to use them.

Harp: Yes. And so today, we’re going to look at some expressions that are related to giving up on someone or something.

Andrew: Yeah. You know, at the end of the day, sometimes you just need to walk away. And these expressions can all be used when you need to talk about ending something prematurely.

Harp: Yeah. These are all about giving up on someone or on something.

Andrew: Quitting. Harp: Exactly. Andrew: All right. So our first expression is to pull the plug.

Harp: To pull the plug.

Andrew: So when you pull the plug on something, you usually put an end to a project or an activity by not providing it with the money to continue, so you defund the project.

Harp: Exactly. You end the project or the plan by no longer providing any money for it.

Andrew: Mmhmm. So maybe the mayor would pull the plug on a construction project and then the construction project wouldn’t finish.

Harp: Yeah, exactly. So when it no longer has the financing, it means that it ends.

Andrew: Yeah. And so this happens a lot in business and also with the government.

Harp: Yeah, exactly. So it’s when something ends.

Audio/Learning Materials: Culips English Learning Podcast