Listen & shadow
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One browse over published speeches, YouTube caption videos, studio reference recordings, and digital presenters. Twenty-five clips per page. Unpublished and unlabelled rows stay out.
Page 119 of 145 · 3622 clips · 25 per page
- Reference recordingrp
The football match has been postponed until further notice because of a waterlo…
The football match has been postponed until further notice because of a waterlogged pitch.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
English. Technology is always progressing.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
Today, many modern devices can be controlled by touch or voice.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
This has led to some traditional electronic controls such as dials and switches being replaced with new technologies.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
Digital displays have also become increasingly common. For example, digital number readouts have long replaced the hands on many clocks.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
Many other devices also now operate purely with digital tools instead of mechanical systems.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
But some expressions and idioms used by English speakers still describe older technologies. First, let’s talk about dials.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
These controls are used for changing settings on a piece of equipment, like a radio or old television. We use the dial to tune in to a specific channel.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
That’s where the expressions dialed in and tuned in come from. If we are dialed in or tuned in to a radio or television program, we can hear it clearly.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
There is no noise or static The same can be said when using these terms in personal conversations
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
For example, if you are dialed in to a project or problem, you know exactly what needs to be done. You are thinking clearly about it and remain very focused
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
And when you are tuned in you understand clearly what is going on around you.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
“Don’t touch that dial” and “stay tuned” are two ways to tell someone to keep watching or listening to a program. Now, let’s talk about switches.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
These are built to either be off or on. There are no in-between settings like with a dial.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
So, when we flip the switch we make something happen quickly and easily. It can also mean that we suddenly change something.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
Let’s listen to an example. The restaurant’s change to all organic food happened slowly over time.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
Now, for our last expression -- to move the needle Needles on measuring devices like a scale move to show a desired level has been reached.
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
So, when something moves the needle it causes a noticeable change in something, usually for the good. And that’s all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories
- Public domaingeneral-american
The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’
Don't forget to tune in again for another story about American English expressions. Until next time, I’m Anna Matteo.
- Reference recordingrp
The latest figures show unemployment falling for the fifth consecutive quarter.
The latest figures show unemployment falling for the fifth consecutive quarter.
- Reference recordingrp
The Mole had been working very hard all the morning, spring-cleaning his little…
The Mole had been working very hard all the morning, spring-cleaning his little home. First with brooms, then with dusters; then on ladders and steps and chairs, with a brush and…
- Reference recordingrp
The new bill is expected to pass through the House of Commons later this week.
The new bill is expected to pass through the House of Commons later this week.
- Reference recordingrp
The new exhibition at the British Museum opens to the public on Tuesday.
The new exhibition at the British Museum opens to the public on Tuesday.
- Reference recordingrp
The poor tour was sure to be pure dour
The poor tour was sure to be pure dour
Source badges: Public domain · Creator video · Digital presenter · Reference recording. Literary passages are public domain. Studio notes are not spoken in the audio.