In your opinion, which player is the cream of the crop on your favourite sports team? Who would you say is the poster child of success in the business world? If you’re not quite sure how to answer, Andrew and Kassy will help you understand the meanings and usages of these idioms in this Catch Word episode. They explain the origins of these helpful expressions and provide many example scenarios and synonyms.








Fun facts
One synonym for “cream of the crop” is “crème de la crème,” a saying that has been borrowed from French and means “the cream of the cream.” It’s similar to saying “the best of the best.” You can use this pattern to emphasize other adjectives, too. For instance, a really suave actor might be described as “the coolest of the cool” or a trillionaire could be called “the richest of the rich.” Try playing around with this structure and coming up with some creative ways to express superlative adjectives!



Expressions included in the study guide



 	* Cream of the crop
 	* Poster child
 	* To cover for [someone]
 	* Stacked
 	* First-rate
 	* Politically incorrect



Copyright: Culips.com
For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.
Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free
Image: RDNE Stock project (pexels.com)

Catch Word #274 – Cream of the crop

Culips English Podcast: Practical English Learning Made Fun  Learn and Explore: Join Culips for an exciting English learning journey. Our podcast focuses on teaching English idioms, slang, and phrasal verbs through fun and engaging conversations. Each episode helps you master English for real-life situations.  Unique Learning Experience: Culips stands out by blending language skills with cultural insights. Our diverse hosts make learning relatable, covering a variety of everyday topics. You’ll pick up practical language skills and gain cultural understanding, enhancing your English fluency in an enjoyable way.  Your Path to Fluency: As your ideal learning partner, Culips provides easy-to-understand lessons on daily English usage. Learn from native speakers and immerse in different cultures, making your English learning journey rewarding and effective.

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Courses

Self-Improvement

Language Learning

Episode description:


In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Kassy share their experiences attending live sporting events in various countries, including Canada, the USA, Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan. They discuss the exciting atmosphere, food options, ticket prices, and cultural differences between watching sports in different parts of the world.

By listening to this episode, you will gain a better understanding of how to talk about sports and live events in English. You'll also pick up new vocabulary words and learn about cultural differences in an engaging and easy-to-follow discussion. Join Andrew and Kassy as they share their passion for sports and help you improve your English skills along the way!

What you will learn

 	* Vocabulary related to sports and live events, such as "seeded," "concession," and "jumbotron"
 	* Insights into the sports culture and fan experiences in different countries
 	* Comparisons between the cost and availability of food and drinks at stadiums around the world
 	* Opinions on watching sports on TV versus attending live events









How you will improve your English with this episode

 	* Expand your vocabulary with sports-related terms and expressions
 	* Learn to discuss and compare cultural experiences using clear language
 	* Improve your listening skills by following a natural conversation between two native English speakers
 	* Improve your communication skills by discussing this episode with other Culips listeners on our Discord server

The best way to learn with this lesson:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member.

Become a Culips member now: Click here.

Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here.

Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join. 

Simplified Speech #195 – Live sports

In this episode, Andrew talks about running a trail race in Jangsu, a small village in South Korea. He describes the challenges of running on mountain paths, the beautiful scenery he saw, and the great feeling of finishing the race. As you listen to Andrew's story, you'll learn new vocabulary about running, nature, and facing difficulties. You'll also improve your listening skills and ability to understand a story in English. 

 	* Study with the interactive transcript:
 	* Join the Culips Discord server:
 	* Get the comprehension quiz:









Bonus episode #099 – Trail talk

Episode description:

In this episode, Andrew and Anna discuss the concept of digital modesty – the idea of being mindful about how much personal information you share online. They explore the benefits and drawbacks of sharing on social media and the importance of setting boundaries to protect your privacy.

What you'll learn in this episode:

 	* The meaning of digital modesty and why it's an important topic
 	* Different perspectives on sharing personal information online
 	* The potential risks of oversharing on social media
 	* The importance of setting personal boundaries and limits for online sharing
 	* How cultural differences can influence what is considered modest or acceptable to share









How this episode will improve your English:

 	* Expand your vocabulary with words and phrases related to online behavior and social media, such as: digital modesty, non-negotiables,off-putting, oversharing, and boundaries.
 	* Improve your listening comprehension by following a natural, unscripted conversation between native English speakers.
 	* Learn idiomatic expressions like strike a chord and play devil's advocate.
 	* Gain insight into cultural differences and how they can impact online behavior
 	* Improve your speaking and communication skills by using the study guide and connecting with the member community to practice speaking about digital modesty in English.

The best way to learn with this lesson:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member.

Become a Culips member now: Click here.

Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here.

Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Episode references:

 	* Mary Harrington interviewed on the Modern Wisdom podcast: Click here.
 	* The geography game Andrew mentioned, GeoGuesser: Click here.
 	* The story of the missing van lifer: Click here.


Copyright: Culips.com
For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.
Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free
Image: Kaique Rocha (pexels.com)

Chatterbox #318 – Digital modesty

In this episode, Andrew shares a simple yet powerful change he made to his daily routine that has left him feeling more rested, productive, and less stressed. He explains how keeping his phone away from his bed at night and reading a book first thing in the morning has made a big difference to his well-being. Andrew also talks about the Korean book he's currently reading and the inspiring journey of its translator.

This episode will help improve your English communication skills in several ways:

 	* You'll get great practice listening to and understanding natural, conversational English as Andrew shares a personal story.
 	* You'll learn useful vocabulary related to daily routines, reading habits, sleep, productivity, and language learning.
 	* By listening to Andrew’s story, you'll build your ability to understand spoken English and grasp main ideas.
 	* The topic of making positive changes might inspire you to think about your own habits and discuss them with others in English.


 	* Study with the interactive transcript:
 	* Join the Culips Discord server:
 	* Try the comprehension quiz:









Bonus episode #098 – Lifestyle change

Episode description:

Join Andrew and Kassy as they talk about their upcoming milestone birthdays. Kassy is turning 30, and Andrew is turning 40! They'll chat about their favorite ways to celebrate birthdays, common birthday traditions in the United States and Canada, and the customary foods enjoyed on birthdays in South Korea. This episode is perfect for English learners who want to improve their listening skills and expand their cultural knowledge.

What you will learn:

 	* Birthday celebrations: Discover how people in North America typically celebrate their birthdays.
 	* Cultural traditions: Learn about birthday customs and traditions in the United States, Canada, and South Korea.
 	* Personal experiences: Hear Andrew and Kassy share their own birthday memories and preferences.

Milestone birthdays: Understand the significance of turning 30 and 40 in Western culture.








How this episode will improve your English:

 	* Vocabulary building: Learn essential words and phrases related to birthdays and celebrations.
 	* Listening skills: Improve your ability to understand native English speakers in a natural, conversational setting.
 	* Cultural awareness: Gain insights into birthday celebrations and traditions in different countries.
 	* Relatable content: Connect with the hosts' personal stories and experiences, which can help you retain the language more effectively.
 	* Speaking practice: Use the study guide and connect with the member community to practice discussing birthday-related topics in English.

The best way to learn with this lesson:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member.

Become a Culips member now: Click here.

Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here.

Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join. 

Copyright: Culips.com
For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.
Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free
Image: Thirdman (pexels.com)

Catch Word #274 – Cream of the crop

Download our free app to listen on your phone