Does a Good Luck Charm 'Work Like a Charm'?
2023-05-21
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2On today's program we talk about the word "charm."
3"Charm" has several meanings.
4It can be a word, action, or thing believed to have magic power, to keep away evil, or to bring good luck.
5It can be a small item worn on a chain or bracelet.
6Charm bracelets are popular because you can add charms that show things you like, your hobbies, or your interests.
7"Charm" is also a quality that attracts and pleases people. If you are charming, you charm people or you make them like you.
8In the story of Cinderella, the prince is called... Prince Charming.
9Now, let's talk about our first expression.
10If something works like a charm it works perfectly.
11Something that works like a charm does exactly want it is supposed to do.
12This expression can describe an approach, a method, a tactic, or even a device.
13Whatever it is works so well, that it seems like magic!
14Let's hear two friends use it.
15One friend invites another to go boating for the weekend.
16But before that can happen, the invitee must find a dog watcher for the weekend.
17Let's hear how they use the expression to work like a charm.
18A: So, can you go boating with me this weekend?
19B: Yes! My roommate agreed to watch my dog Milo.
20A: She did? I thought she didn't like Milo... at all.
21B: Me too. She complains about my dog all the time. Milo is too big. Milo is too playful. Milo is too... whatever!
22A: So, why did she agree to watch him?
23B: Well, I told her that when I take Milo to the dog park lots of men want to play with such a big, friendly dog.
24And I added that some of these men are very good-looking.
25A: Oh, that is too funny!
26B: It might be funny, but it worked like a charm.
27Now, for our next expression. Let's say a person tries to do something but fails at it two times, or twice.
28But they want to try again for a third time.
29They hope that on the third attempt, it will work.
30In this situation, we can say the third time is the charm. However, when we use this expression we usually say it quickly - like this "third time's the charm."
31We often use this expression to encourage someone to do something that they have tried a couple of times.
32Sometimes we use it to describe our own efforts.
33We try to convince ourselves that our efforts, whatever they are, will finally work out.
34Here is another conversation using the expression third time's the charm.
35A: Where are you going with all those boxes?
36B: I'm helping James open his new business.
37A: James is opening another business? Didn't his past two businesses fail?
38B: They did. He lost a lot of money on both of them.
39A: Wow, he is brave for starting another business. You'd think he would have learned his lesson.
40B: He said the third time's the charm! He really believes this one will work out.
41A: What is the business anyway?
42B: He is opening a dog summer camp.
43A: A summer camp ... for dogs?
44B: Yep. Those boxes are filled with dog treats and toys.
45A: But people love spending time with their dogs in the summer.
46B: Look, I'm just helping him out.
47A: Well, in this case, I don't think third time's the charm is the best expression to use. I'd use ... don't quit your day job.
48The expression may have its roots in old superstitions.
49It means that the third time will be lucky and therefore successful.
50Word experts say that some cultures throughout history viewed three as a lucky number.
51And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2On today's program we talk about the word "charm." 3"Charm" has several meanings. 4It can be a word, action, or thing believed to have magic power, to keep away evil, or to bring good luck. 5It can be a small item worn on a chain or bracelet. Charm bracelets are popular because you can add charms that show things you like, your hobbies, or your interests. 6"Charm" is also a quality that attracts and pleases people. If you are charming, you charm people or you make them like you. In the story of Cinderella, the prince is called... Prince Charming. 7Works like a charm 8Now, let's talk about our first expression. If something works like a charm it works perfectly. Something that works like a charm does exactly want it is supposed to do. This expression can describe an approach, a method, a tactic, or even a device. Whatever it is works so well, that it seems like magic! 9Let's hear two friends use it. One friend invites another to go boating for the weekend. But before that can happen, the invitee must find a dog watcher for the weekend. Let's hear how they use the expression to work like a charm. 10A: So, can you go boating with me this weekend? 11B: Yes! My roommate agreed to watch my dog Milo. 12A: She did? I thought she didn't like Milo... at all. 13B: Me too. She complains about my dog all the time. Milo is too big. Milo is too playful. Milo is too... whatever! 14A: So, why did she agree to watch him? 15B: Well, I told her that when I take Milo to the dog park lots of men want to play with such a big, friendly dog. And I added that some of these men are very good-looking. 16A: Oh, that is too funny! 17B: It might be funny, but it worked like a charm. 18The third time is the charm 19Now, for our next expression. Let's say a person tries to do something but fails at it two times, or twice. But they want to try again for a third time. They hope that on the third attempt, it will work. 20In this situation, we can say the third time is the charm. However, when we use this expression we usually say it quickly - like this "third time's the charm." 21We often use this expression to encourage someone to do something that they have tried a couple of times. Sometimes we use it to describe our own efforts. We try to convince ourselves that our efforts, whatever they are, will finally work out. 22Here is another conversation using the expression third time's the charm. 23A: Where are you going with all those boxes? 24B: I'm helping James open his new business. 25A: James is opening another business? Didn't his past two businesses fail? 26B: They did. He lost a lot of money on both of them. 27A: Wow, he is brave for starting another business. You'd think he would have learned his lesson. 28B: He said the third time's the charm! He really believes this one will work out. 29A: What is the business anyway? 30B: He is opening a dog summer camp. 31A: A summer camp ... for dogs? 32B: Yep. Those boxes are filled with dog treats and toys. 33A: But people love spending time with their dogs in the summer. 34B: Look, I'm just helping him out. 35A: Well, in this case, I don't think third time's the charm is the best expression to use. I'd use ... don't quit your day job. 36The expression may have its roots in old superstitions. It means that the third time will be lucky and therefore successful. Word experts say that some cultures throughout history viewed three as a lucky number. 37And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo. 38Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. 39__________________________________________________________________ 40Words in This Story 41tactic - n. a planned action for a particular purpose 42complain - v. to express grief, pain, or discontent : find fault 43encourage - v. to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope 44root - n. an original cause or source 45superstition - n. a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, or trust in magic 46__________________________________________________________________ 47We want to hear from you. Do you have similar expressions in your language? In the Comments section, you can also practice using any of the expressions from the story. 48We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 49Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.