Speak English Now through mini-stories with teacher Georgiana

Hi! I'm Georgiana, your English teacher. Thank you for joining me for another episode. 

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I hope you are doing great! The New Year is the perfect time for new beginnings and the perfect time to learn some idioms in English for the new year. 

You will also learn grammar with a point-of-view lesson without memorizing boring rules.

Before we start, visit my website: Speakenglishpodcast.com and subscribe to my mini-course - it's completely free!

Ok, let's start!

#1 To kick off the new year

To kick off the new year means to start a new year.

Examples:

"Let's kick off the new year with a positive attitude."

"The best way to kick off the year is to be surrounded by friends and family.

#2 To turn over a new leaf

It means to start acting or behaving better or more responsibly.

Examples: 

"Since I moved to New York, my life has completely changed. I can say that I have turned over a new leaf."

"You always promise to turn over a new leaf if I give you another chance. But you've proven to me time and time again that you'll never change."

#3 To start with a clean sheet

When we start with a clean sheet, we forget previous debts or mistakes and are given a new chance to succeed at something.

Examples:

"I'm afraid we've started on the wrong foot. Why don't we start with a clean sheet?"

"Although you have put a lot of effort into this new project, it is a disaster. Therefore, we will have to hire someone else and start with a clean sheet.

#4 Out with the old and in with the new

Out with the old, in with the new means it is good to replace old things with new ones, to leave old things or ideas behind and bring in new ones.

Examples: 

"I need to get a new jacket because this one is out of fashion. Out with the old, in with the new!"

"My cell phone is ancient. I can't even take pictures with it. I need to buy a new one, so out with the old, in with the new!"

#5 Ring in the New Year

To ring in the new year means celebrating the beginning of a new year, usually with a party or formal dinner.

Examples: 

"My friends rang in the new year with a party at their parent's house."

"I am very happy because we will ring in the new year in New York."

#6 To kick the habit

One of our New Year's resolutions is to quit a bad habit. Many want to quit smoking; others want to stop eating too many sweets, etc.

Examples:

"My husband tried to kick the habit last year, but he loves to eat."

"This new year, I want to kick the habit of smoking."

#7 Stick to something

But if you want to kick the habit, you must stick to your New Year plan without deviating.

Examples:

"My friend started a diet for the new year, but I'm afraid she won't be able to stick to it."

"Your suggestion didn't work out, so we must stick to the initial plan."

Get the transcript at: https://speakenglishpodcast.com/podcast/