The Importance of Being ‘Dialed In’

2025 · VOA Learning English

This speaker is a general-american model. Each line below can be recorded and scored against it.

Transcript

1. And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning

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2. English. Technology is always progressing.

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3. Today, many modern devices can be controlled by touch or voice.

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4. This has led to some traditional electronic controls such as dials and switches being replaced with new technologies.

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5. Digital displays have also become increasingly common. For example, digital number readouts have long replaced the hands on many clocks.

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6. Many other devices also now operate purely with digital tools instead of mechanical systems.

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7. But some expressions and idioms used by English speakers still describe older technologies. First, let’s talk about dials.

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8. 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.

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9. 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.

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10. There is no noise or static The same can be said when using these terms in personal conversations

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11. 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

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12. And when you are tuned in you understand clearly what is going on around you.

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13. “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.

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14. These are built to either be off or on. There are no in-between settings like with a dial.

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15. So, when we flip the switch we make something happen quickly and easily. It can also mean that we suddenly change something.

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16. Let’s listen to an example. The restaurant’s change to all organic food happened slowly over time.

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17. 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.

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18. 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

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19. Don't forget to tune in again for another story about American English expressions. Until next time, I’m Anna Matteo.

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