Baghdad Speaking

Idioms

▪️ behind the times قديم الطراز

🔹My aunt is a little behind the times.


خارج حدود الآداب العامة
▪️beyond the pale

🔹What they are doing is totally unacceptable and beyond the pale

يواجه المصاعب ببسالة
▪️ bite the bullet

🔹I have decided to bite the bullet and begin studying for my Master’s degree


  ناكر الجميل
  ▪️bite the hand that feeds him

🔹He is biting the hand that feeds him if he continues to criticize and fight  against his boss.

▪️blue in the face  بلا جدوى

🔹You can argue with him until you are blue in the face but you will never 
change his mind.

يتملق شخصا ما
▪️ butter someone up

🔹He is trying to butter up his boss so that he can leave early on Friday.

✒️ Tongue Twist 👅

Grandma Grace’s great grapes grew green.
Grandma grabbed a group, a goodly scene.
Grandma ground the grapes, great grains of glee.
Grandma gave the guests, gratefully.


Seeking succulent snacks, slightly shy.
Let me know if you’d like another one!

15 seconds challenge!!

??

Listen and write ✍️

◼️ Sacred {adjective}

💠 If something is sacred, it is treated with special respect, especially because it is connected with God or religion

✨ NOUNS
◾️ a sacred place/ site
◾️ sacred ground/ land
◾️ a sacred animal
◾️ a sacred tree/ river/ mountain
◾️ a sacred text/ book
◾️ sacred writings/ scripture
◾️ sacred music
◾️ sacred relic (=a sacred object, especially one that is very old)
◾️ a sacred fire/ flame
◾️ a sacred ritual

✨ VERBS
◾️ be considered sacred/ be regarded as sacred

✨ PREPOSITIONS
◾️ sacred to sb



♨️ Note:-

⚜ Sacred or holy?
These words mean the same and have many of the same collocations.

You can say a sacred place/ city/ mountain/ relic or a holy place/ city/ mountain/ relic.

🎶 There are some differences.
You say a holy man and a holy war (not a ‘sacred’ one). It is more common to say a sacred text than a ‘holy’ text.

     
    ◆ ▬▬▬▬▬ ❴✪❵ ▬▬▬▬▬ ◆
It’s never too late to change. Life is a constantly evolving process. You don’t have to keep the same mannerisms, characteristics, or patterns if they genuinely do not align with you. Be vulnerable with yourself and reflect on what works for you & what doesn’t, it’s okay.

Good afternoon 🌷🌷

Listen and write ✍️

What is the difference between "collect" and "collate"?

Spot the mistake:
John suggested to have a meeting scheduled at our soonest convenience, which we all agreed upon.

Spot the mistake:
Were it not for his dedication, we wouldn’t achieve such remarkable results over the past few months.

Spot the mistake:
Challenging 💥
This novel is one of those that reflects on the intricacies of human psychology with an unparalleled depth.

Here are some common phrasal verbs with "come" that are frequently used in conversations:

1. Come across – To find something or meet someone unexpectedly.

"I came across an old friend at the mall yesterday."

2. Come up – To happen or arise (often unexpectedly).

"Something came up, and I had to leave early."

3. Come up with – To think of an idea or solution.

"She came up with a great business plan."

4. Come down with – To become sick with an illness.

"I think I’m coming down with the flu."

5. Come over – To visit someone’s place.

"Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?"

6. Come out – To become known or revealed.

"The truth finally came out after years."

7. Come along – To accompany someone or to make progress.

"We’re going to the park; do you want to come along?"

8. Come off – To happen successfully or as planned.

"The event didn’t come off as we hoped."

9. Come back – To return to a place or situation.

"I’ll come back after lunch."

10. Come in – To enter a place.

"Please come in and make yourself comfortable."

The meaning?

What does it mean ?

Spot the error ?

Sometimes "sorry" isn't enough when the damage is already done, and the wounds run too deep, leaving scars that time alone cannot erase, and the weight of betrayed trust, shattered hopes, and broken promises hangs heavy in the air, a constant reminder of what could never be undone.

Apologies lose meaning when actions repeat the same harmful patterns, and words of regret ring hollow, failing to mend the fissures in relationships, or restore the innocence lost to deception, manipulation, or neglect.

In the aftermath of hurt, forgiveness is a journey, not a destination, requiring effort, empathy, and understanding from both sides, but even then, healing is not guaranteed, and the ghosts of past pain can linger.

The fragility of human hearts demands more than just empty apologies; it demands accountability, genuine remorse, and a willingness to make amends, to rebuild what was broken, and restore what was lost.

When "sorry" isn't enough, it's time to confront the consequences of our actions, to face the mirror of our own flaws, and to strive for redemption, not just forgiveness, but true transformation.

📚Reading practice 📚

Listen and write ✍️

Guess the idiom:
💳💪🏼🦵🏼

Guess the idiom:
❌🧊

Spot the mistake:
The company is used to change its strategies frequently.

Spot the mistake:
Despite of working hard, he didn’t manage to finish the project on time.

Spot the mistake:
Having been finished my homework, I went out with friends.

Save your breath (idiom)

Meaning: To not say anything.

Example: I don’t know I bother trying to explain this to you- I might as well save my breath.

Can you give us an example using this idiom?

Listen and write ✍️

🅢🅔🅛🅕-🅣🅐🅛🅚
═════════════════

🌹
Patience isn’t just about waiting; it’s about keeping a positive, hopeful attitude while waiting. It’s trusting that good things are coming, even when we can’t see them yet. True patience is a quiet strength, the grace to be at peace with the unknown and to find joy in the present.

When we learn to embrace patience, we open ourselves up to life’s surprises, knowing that every season has its purpose. Remember, it’s not just about the destination but the journey—and the calm we carry along the way.

Read and Record ⏺️

Adventure is a thrilling experience which increases the excitement and the rush of adrenaline in the blood. It also refers to an activity that is exciting, exhilarating and having some element of risk. Mountain bike riding, Para gliding, swimming, parachute jumping, and dirt racing are some of the examples of adventurous activities. Adventure is often pursued for psychological improvement and also to gain knowledge and experiences as in case of exploration and jungle safaris. Adventure involves risk yet people long for it because of the boost it gives to one’s confidence and mood. It is surely good to be adventurous unless it is done after carefully analyzing the risk involved.

The Power of Hope
C2 level✨

Hope is more than a passive feeling; it’s an active, transformative force that drives individuals to persevere, even in adversity. Unlike blind optimism, hope accepts hardship yet insists on the possibility of change. It is the spark that ignites resilience, pushing people beyond perceived limits.

History is rich with examples of hope fueling change. During the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of equality was grounded in hope, inspiring countless individuals to seek a better future, despite systemic injustice. In science, hope drives researchers to pursue breakthroughs, even when success seems unlikely. Their belief in progress sustains them through setbacks, with hope acting as a steady force that endures where optimism fades.

However, hope is not without risks. Misplaced hope can lead to disappointment or denial of reality. Yet, when balanced with wisdom, hope becomes a powerful catalyst for growth. It fuels dreams, guides us through hardship, and pushes humanity forward.

In uncertain times, hope offers more than comfort—it provides direction. It is a quiet strength, a light that illuminates paths to progress, encouraging us to strive for a better future.

"Patience Will Bring You Success" speaks to a truth often overlooked in a fast-paced world driven by instant gratification. Patience is more than just waiting; it's a powerful state of mind that helps us endure challenges, setbacks, and the often slow progress toward our goals. When we cultivate patience, we give ourselves the time to learn, to grow, and to overcome obstacles. Think about nature: a seed doesn't turn into a tree overnight; it takes years of absorbing sunlight, rain, and nutrients from the soil before it bears fruit. Similarly, in our lives, patience allows us to build a strong foundation, understanding that true achievement comes from consistent effort over time. Without patience, we may give up too soon, losing out on the very success we’re working toward. By practicing patience, we develop resilience and self-discipline, qualities that are essential for any worthwhile success. So, as we hold onto our dreams and work steadily toward them, we can remind ourselves that patience isn't passive. Instead, it’s a deliberate choice to persevere, to trust in the process, and to believe that all the hard work will indeed pay off.

Reading practice

The things that scare you the most need your attention the most. Don't run away from challenges. It is easy to escape at this moment but the regret may last a lifetime.

You overcome a challenge by confronting it, not by hiding it under the rug & wearing rose colored glasses.

Good afternoon 🌷🌷

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A reminder for our next online session 👀

Can't wait to see you there!

❤️

Baghdad Speaking pinned «Good morning everyone! We have some good news; We are having an online session next Friday! 💬 Theme: Work-life balance. 📌 Place: Online on Telegram. 🗓 Date: Friday 25 October. ⏰ Time: 8:00 P.M. Attendees are encouraged to open their cameras in order to…»

Good morning everyone!

We have some good news; We are having an online session next Friday!

💬 Theme: Work-life balance.
📌 Place: Online on Google Meet.
🗓 Date: Friday 25 October.
⏰ Time: 8:00 P.M.
🌎 Session's link: Click here to Join

Attendees are encouraged to open their cameras in order to make the most of the session.

Please try to join 10 minutes earlier so we can make the most of the session's time.



See you soon 😊

Rabbiting on (a phrase )
*To continue talking about something that is not interesting to the person you are talking to
E.g.
He's always rabbiting on about his stamp collection.

Stop comparing

Comparison is the road to nowhere. You're good enough for yourself, and that's the MOST important thing.

Learn to appreciate yourself. Embrace the fact that every person is unique, not a copy of others. You are special with your own thoughts, your own talents, your own abilities and your own uniqueness. You may think that you are not good enough, or you may cultivate your uniqueness and develop talents.

Other people may have different values and that's why underestimate your life, but why should you care about others' opinion❓
It's much more important how you feel about your changeable life.

Recognize yourself as a unique individual with special abilities and talents
 
GOOD MORNING 🌸🌸

Listening?

💎Read and Record💎

Summary:
Why We Self Criticize
Often, a highly critical inner voice stems from internalizing criticism during childhood as a self-protection mechanism. This internal critic aims to prevent errors, as mistakes were heavily criticized or even punished in the past. While this mechanism may have been useful in childhood, it often persists into adulthood, unnecessarily lowering self-esteem and quality of life. It's important to understand that this self-criticism is an outdated defense strategy, not a reflection of your worth.

. Which phrase describes when someone runs away to avoid trouble?
a) Do a runner
b) Throw somebody under the bus
c) Be off
d) Cut a long story short

What does "marry money" mean?
a) Be nuts about something
b) Marry for love
c) Marry a rich person
d) Off the hook

. What does it mean to intentionally betray someone to save yourself?
a) Throw somebody under the bus
b) Break your back
c) Lose it
d) Stab someone in the back

. Which idiom is used to describe something that's pointless to continue discussing?
a) Beat a dead horse
b) Pay tribute to
c) Lose it
d) Bag of bones

. Which idiom describes a difficult problem to solve?
a) A hard nut to crack
b) Go pear-shaped
c) Be long in the tooth
d) Sell like hotcakes

. Which idiom means that a situation has gone badly wrong?
a) Go pear-shaped
b) Off the hook
c) Be green with envy
d) Bag of bones

Which phrase refers to the end of a challenging situation where someone is no longer responsible?
a) Off the hook
b) Be long in the tooth
c) Beat a dead horse
d) Stab someone in the back

. Which phrase means to socialize or chat casually?
a) Chew the fat
b) Leave someone in the lurch
c) Marry money
d) Lose it

. What phrase is used to describe someone who's very skinny?
a) Bag of bones
b) You name it
c) Be long in the tooth
d) Feel blue

. What does "be long in the tooth" mean?
a) Be off
b) Be old
c) Leave someone in the lurch
d) Go pear-shaped

🫧🪻Read and Record

↬ Thought for the day:
What Is the Meaning of vibes?

It is a state of emotion that comes forward to us from an atmosphere. Moreover, it can arrive to us from a specified place and a person.

Is it important for human beings?

Yes, it is a very deep and incumbent particle of our life. However, it is defunct into two opposite consequences. Along with it, negative vibes are enriched with painful and detrimental experiences. It occurs when our lovable person differs from our life with reason or without also.

Beyond our downpours of tears, broken hearts, and noxious sadness. Novel aspirations always hold for us which is accountable for our new robust positive vibe. Although, we have to take some steps forward for mustering up.

Ultimately, we should try to listen to somebody’s talks relevant to his shattered feeling for the reason that he is suffering from these things.