Start Off on the Right Foot
2021-08-01
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2Today we talk about something that you might take for granted.
3You might not them or appreciate their value and worth.
4Your feet!
5We just expect them to be there when we need them.
6But our feet are important.
7And they have managed to walk right into many English expressions.
8Let's talk about some.
9First, let's put our best foot forward.
10This means you act in the best possible way to show your best possible self.
11Sometimes we do this to impress others.
12But sometimes we just want to do the best job we can or be the best person we can.
13At work, people who put their best foot forward, work fast and do the job well.
14Here's another foot expression: To start off on the right foot.
15If something starts off on the right foot, it means it starts off in a good way.
16For example, you can start your day off on the right foot.
17You can start a class off on the right foot.
18If you start or get off on the right foot, you immediately have success when you begin an activity, a project, a job, or even a relationship.
19For example, when you are starting a new job, you want to start off on the right foot with your new coworkers.
20And if you have a new boyfriend or girlfriend, you really want to start off on the right foot with their parents.
21Maybe you just met a new friend. You also want to get off on the right foot with their group of friends.
22All of this means that you want to leave a good impression -- especially when you first meet.
23In fact, we have a special saying about that: "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression."
24If you make a bad first impression, you have started off on the wrong foot.
25And it is harder to repair relationships when they start off poorly.
26Also, it is harder to get a project back on track if it started on the wrong foot.
27Some word experts say that ancient superstitions thought that the right foot was luckier than the left.
28So, it was good luck to start off with the right foot instead of the left.
29Now let's hear two friends use some of these expressions.
30A: Wow! You look great! Is that a new business suit?
31B: No. I've had this suit for years. But I think I've gained some weight during the pandemic.
32A: Well, it DOES look a little tight. Maybe try unbuttoning the jacket.
33B: Good idea.
34A: Your hair cut looks great too. So, where are you going all dressed up?
35B: Today I start a new job ... in a new office ... with new people.
36A: That's a big deal. I mean we've all been working from home for more than a year.
37B: Tell me about it! It feels strange to wear a suit. But with my new job ... I REALLY want to start off on the right foot. You know what they say: You don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
38A: In that case, maybe you should wear REAL shoes. It's hard to put your best foot forward wearing your house slippers.
39B: Oh no! I'm wearing slippers! I have to go all the way back home and get my shoes. Now, I'll be late!
40A: Looks like you have to choose: Start off on the wrong foot by showing up late or by wearing slippers.
41B: Hmm ... You know, maybe no one will notice my footwear. But my boss will definitely notice if I'm late. so, I guess ... slippers it is!
42A: Just stay at your desk as much as you can. Good luck!
43B: Thanks! See you later!
44Hopefully you started your day off on the right foot with some English lessons from VOA Learning English!
45And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2Today we talk about something that you might take for granted. You might not them or appreciate their value and worth. Your feet! We just expect them to be there when we need them. 3But our feet are important. And they have managed to walk right into many English expressions. Let's talk about some. 4First, let's put our best foot forward. 5This means you act in the best possible way to show your best possible self. Sometimes we do this to impress others. But sometimes we just want to do the best job we can or be the best person we can. 6At work, people who put their best foot forward, work fast and do the job well. 7Here's another foot expression: To start off on the right foot. 8If something starts off on the right foot, it means it starts off in a good way. For example, you can start your day off on the right foot. You can start a class off on the right foot. If you start or get off on the right foot, you immediately have success when you begin an activity, a project, a job, or even a relationship. 9For example, when you are starting a new job, you want to start off on the right foot with your new coworkers. And if you have a new boyfriend or girlfriend, you really want to start off on the right foot with their parents. Maybe you just met a new friend. You also want to get off on the right foot with their group of friends. 10All of this means that you want to leave a good impression -- especially when you first meet. In fact, we have a special saying about that: "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression." 11If you make a bad first impression, you have started off on the wrong foot. And it is harder to repair relationships when they start off poorly. Also, it is harder to get a project back on track if it started on the wrong foot. 12Some word experts say that ancient superstitions thought that the right foot was luckier than the left. So, it was good luck to start off with the right foot instead of the left. 13Now let's hear two friends use some of these expressions. 14A: Wow! You look great! Is that a new business suit? 15B: No. I've had this suit for years. But I think I've gained some weight during the pandemic. 16A: Well, it DOES look a little tight. Maybe try unbuttoning the jacket. 17B: Good idea. 18A: Your hair cut looks great too. So, where are you going all dressed up? 19B: Today I start a new job ... in a new office ... with new people. 20A: That's a big deal. I mean we've all been working from home for more than a year. 21B: Tell me about it! It feels strange to wear a suit. But with my new job ... I REALLY want to start off on the right foot. You know what they say: You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. 22A: In that case, maybe you should wear REAL shoes. It's hard to put your best foot forward wearing your house slippers. 23B: Oh no! I'm wearing slippers! I have to go all the way back home and get my shoes. Now, I'll be late! 24A: Looks like you have to choose: Start off on the wrong foot by showing up late or by wearing slippers. 25B: Hmm ... You know, maybe no one will notice my footwear. But my boss will definitely notice if I'm late. so, I guess ... slippers it is! 26A: Just stay at your desk as much as you can. Good luck! 27B: Thanks! See you later! 28Hopefully you started your day off on the right foot with some English lessons from VOA Learning English! 29And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo. 30Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor. 31___________________________________________________________ 32Words in This Story 33impress - v. to affect strongly or deeply and especially favorably 34chance - n. an opportunity to do something: an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done 35superstition - n. a belief or way of behaving that is based on fear of the unknown and faith in magic or luck: a belief that certain events or things will bring good or bad luck 36slippers - n. a light, soft shoe that is easily put on and taken off and that is worn indoors