Shadowing Practice: Idioms That Are Worth Their Weight in Gold - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
338 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Hey, Aubrey.
2
Hi, how's it going?
3
Good.
4
How are you?
5
I'm great, Lindsay.
6
It's funny because I think some students don't know our voices.
7
Sometimes I'll be in open conversation club, they'll be like, hello, Lindsay, or they don't hear my voice yet and they don't watch on YouTube, so they don't know what we look like.
8
Right.
9
That can happen.
10
Guys, check us out on YouTube.
11
We're over there and then you'll know who is who, right?
12
Hit subscribe on our YouTube channel.
13
I wonder if you guys would be surprised.
14
I was surprised once I had listened to a podcast for a while.
15
And then I checked it out on YouTube and the opposite of what I thought for the host voice.
16
I was like, Oh goodness.
17
Interesting.
18
Yeah.
19
That can happen sometimes.
20
That's so funny.
21
Huh?
22
It's weird.
23
The vision we get of someone when we only hear their voice, we're just like how I thought you were really tall.
24
Well, thank you.
25
I would have said you're like five 11.
26
Not even close.
27
I wish.
28
Big personality.
29
Thank you.
30
I'll take it as a compliment, Aubrey.
31
So today we're going into a part two of our concept of worth, right?
32
The word worth and where it shows up in English. So excited.
33
Exactly.
34
We talked about this in, if you missed part one, scroll up episode 2232.
35
It's worth the effort to learn this vocabulary.
36
We got a great question about the word worth and we use it in so many ways in English.
37
So this second part is more about idioms.
38
Yeah.
39
So for example, talking about something, you know, that's worth its weight in gold.
40
I mean, for us, we bought ski passes last year and we do every year because they're worth their weight in gold.
41
Well, first of all, it's very expensive to buy a single ski ticket pass.
42
So you save money as long as you go six times or, and it also provides not just that, but it provides something to do in the winter.
43
And it provides like a lifestyle, spending time with your family, spending time with friends, getting outdoors.
44
It provides way more than just that money exchange.
45
Well, and that's really interesting.
46
It shows that this is not literal because if you actually had the weight of a ski lift pass in gold, like if it's a ticket, we're not way very much.
47
It probably actually costs more than that.
48
Right.
49
But it's very idiomatic of something that just has a lot of value for you.
50
Exactly.
51
And that could be really dependent on the person's values, like meaning what they care about.
52
Like for you, Aubrey, what is worth its weight in gold for you?
53
What did you buy recently?
54
Anything?
55
Yeah.
56
For me, it was a trampoline park pass that I got for the twins and it's all you can play, right?
57
All day long, as long as you want to play there.
58
And so often I'll work, I'll be like writing blogs for our website
59
while they're playing at this trampoline park and they have a blast and it's indoor because here in Arizona, once it gets hot, it's too hot for them to go outside.
60
They get sick of swimming.
61
So that pass is worth its weight in gold for me.
62
Right.
63
So anything that allows you in Arizona to be out of the heat in the summer, keep your kids busy, worth its weight in gold.
64
Okay.
65
That's the concept.
66
And it's interesting that for both of the examples we gave, it's more experiences.
67
It's not always true.
68
Often this is used for an object, but I just - Yeah, you could say this about a smartwatch, maybe.
69
Oh, my smartwatch is worth its weight in gold, which means I love it.
70
I use it all the time.
71
Sure.
72
Sure.
73
But certain things that are really worth way more than what you paid for it,
74
really yes exactly right so this is our first we have four today idioms
75
that we use with worth yeah so let's get oh
76
so yeah go ahead
77
and just to make sure our listeners just to refresh this
78
make sure this is clear this is these are totally different
79
from what we talked about earlier in the week the idioms
80
you already learned these are brand new ones okay these are
81
not repeating anything these are brand new yes part one was more how we use worth as an adjective
82
and a noun and some expressions like we just say worth it
83
or worth it so definitely go check
84
that out today we're sure we're teaching idioms
85
that we didn't have time to share on part one okay love it what's number one yeah
86
so worth its weight in gold which you asked me about here
87
that trampoline park pass has definitely been worth its weight in gold yeah or noise canceling headphones on a noisy flight
88
maybe there's a baby crying behind you the jet engines are
89
loud just to begin with a jet engine is quite loud when you're trying to watch a movie.
90
Absolutely.
91
Or at this trampoline park, I use noise -canceling headphones because there's all the screaming children in there.
92
I would not be able to work if I didn't have noise -canceling headphones.
93
Wow.
94
They are worth their weight in gold.
95
I feel like I should get some.
96
I don't have them, but I've heard they work really well.
97
Highly recommend on flights and at trampoline parks.
98
Okay.
99
Good to know.
100
But aren't they big kind of - Mine are not.
101
Mine are AirPods.
102
They're Apple AirPods, but that are noise -canceling and they work like magic.
103
Okay.
104
Good to know.
105
Good to know.
106
And then the next expression is for what it's worth.
107
How do we use this one, Aubrey?
108
Yeah.
109
This is when whoever's speaking is not sure whether what they're about to say will be helpful or valued.
110
So they're sort of trying to take back the responsibility.
111
Like you might say, you know, for what it's worth.
112
they're always late.
113
So you're telling someone they might be late, but I don't know for sure they might be on time for what it's worth.
114
They're usually late.
115
Right.
116
Or I liked that movie for what it's worth.
117
Maybe someone's trying to decide whether to go to that movie and we don't, it's kind of caring.
118
Like in my opinion, I liked it.
119
I thought it was great, but I don't know if you will.
120
So I liked it for what it's worth.
121
It's kind of a way of showing humility a little bit, stepping back and saying, I'm not sure if this is important to you that I liked it, but for what it's worth.
122
I like that movie.
123
Exactly.
124
Either a lack of confidence in your opinion or humility.
125
I like the way you said that.
126
Both of those could be sort of implied here.
127
I use this expression a lot.
128
Do you, Lindsay?
129
I don't actually.
130
I think I don't.
131
I worry about giving a recommendation and then someone hating something.
132
That's definitely happened to me before.
133
So I think I will say this to sort of remove responsibility.
134
I liked it for what it's worth.
135
You decide on your own if you're going to go or not.
136
And that is a great episode idea for another day, Aubrey.
137
How to qualify your suggestion by stepping back one step
138
and what it's worth would be one or other things we might say.
139
Right.
140
All right.
141
Number three.
142
Number three.
143
What is it?
144
All right.
145
This is for all one is worth.
146
This means you're putting in maximum effort.
147
On part one, if you went and listened, you heard me talk about a tug of war where I
148
was pulling for all I was worth means you are pulling
149
as hard as you can you're putting in maximum effort 100 right um
150
when the car was stuck we pushed for all we were
151
worth has this ever happened to you lindsay our car used to get stuck in the snow
152
and we would all have to get out
153
and push for all we were worth yeah i don't think it has
154
but i feel like i have to do this every day at the gym especially
155
if i take a week off from working out like last
156
night i went back to the gym after a week of being on the east coast
157
and being on planes being in cars basically like sitting around
158
for a week oh my gosh aubrey i had to push
159
myself for all i was worth it was hard you're like
160
ready to give up in minute one week it's incredible how quickly you can get out of shape
161
so these kind of moments when we're really pushing ourselves physically mentally yeah yes
162
and i think you'll hear this most often
163
when someone else is letting everyone know how hard they need
164
to push right i'm imagining we would get out to push the car out of the snow bank, you know, or off the slick snow.
165
And my dad would be like, push for all your worth.
166
I mean, like, push as hard as you can.
167
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
168
Very cool.
169
I love it.
170
I love it.
171
Anything else there?
172
Yeah, you could say if you're going to win this race, you need to run for all your worth.
173
This might be something you tell yourself if you're running and you need that extra motivation, that push.
174
Or you might say to someone else if you're helping them get that motivation.
175
Yeah, come on, run for all your worth.
176
Go for it.
177
Right?
178
Yeah.
179
Maximum effort.
180
All right.
181
This next one, I love it.
182
I think I use this one a lot.
183
Number four, worth a try or worth a shot.
184
Yeah.
185
They mean the same.
186
It means it's worth trying, but it didn't work out.
187
Like it was worth the effort, but something didn't work out.
188
I might say, I'm bummed I didn't get the part in the play, but it was worth a shot.
189
Yeah.
190
But this also could be used before you try the thing.
191
I think it's worth a try.
192
Let's go and try this.
193
Let's do this it's worth a try it's worth a shot right
194
so it doesn't have to be you use one of these more often worth a try
195
or worth a shot
196
or do i yeah i think i use both i like
197
them both yeah i like them both i hear both yeah
198
and they mean the exact same thing i don't know why we have both just for fun yeah
199
and as a response right someone tells you oh
200
that didn't work out oh it was worth a try right
201
yeah exactly let's do a little mini role play to show
202
that i'll start it okay did you win a raffle prize when you bought those tickets?
203
Nope.
204
Worth a shot.
205
Yeah.
206
And they just say like, worth a shot, worth a try.
207
And you're, yeah, it's very natural language here, guys, because you're taking out it was, and you're just saying, worth a shot.
208
And that's conversation.
209
That's connection.
210
That's what are you going to say?
211
Are you going to say, oh, that's too bad.
212
This is so much better because you're still saying, staying positive.
213
Yeah.
214
Especially
215
if someone something like this where they're paying money for raffle
216
tickets lottery tickets whatever it is they don't win yeah
217
if you're like oh what a waste of money
218
that does not make them feel good right
219
but this is great oh worth a shot yeah and
220
that might be cultural what we're telling you right now right
221
so just an awareness
222
that culture might be playing into it we are a very much a culture
223
that wants things wrapped up in a bow
224
and a pot to end a conversation on a positive note it's just everywhere in our language
225
if you listen to conversations it might not be true in your own country or culture.
226
So when you think about translating directly, it might not translate as well when you're speaking in the U .S at least.
227
Yeah.
228
And if you're in the U .S., I definitely recommend this because I do know people who have a tendency to say something negative or critical and it's tough.
229
I'm like, oh, you know, I would much rather someone say like, worth a shot, stay positive.
230
It's just easier to live around people like that.
231
You know, it just makes life easier.
232
Yeah, yeah, for sure.
233
No one wants that kind of feeling.
234
I don't know.
235
All right, role play, Aubrey.
236
Shall we go into it?
237
Yes.
238
You and I are at an estate sale in this role play.
239
Have you ever been to an estate sale, Lindsay?
240
Yes, I have actually.
241
This is like, it's a sale at someone's home where they're selling like furniture and larger items usually.
242
Right.
243
All right, here we go.
244
Let's start us.
245
Did you see this record is signed by John Lennon?
246
This is worth its weight in gold.
247
Very cool.
248
I'm not a huge Beatles fan, so probably not worth the money for me.
249
It's only $150 worth it.
250
I'm going to ask if they'll sell it for $100.
251
I doubt it, but worth a try.
252
Nice.
253
I love this role play.
254
Oh my God, this is so funny.
255
Do you bargain like that at an estate sale or a garage sale?
256
Would you ask to try and get it for less than they're selling it for?
257
Yeah, but having been on the other side of holding these sales, it's kind of annoying because you're like, we're pricing it at $3 and we paid $100 for it.
258
Now you want it for $150 it kind of makes you crazy.
259
Well, and it's interesting because usually if you know people are going to try and bargain, get a bargain, you're just going to price it higher expecting that.
260
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
261
Depends on how quickly you want to remove the items.
262
I'm curious for all of you out there listening because I feel like this is different in different cultures.
263
When we go to Mexico, you're supposed to, you're expected to haggle.
264
You're expected to bargain on the prices.
265
So whatever it's priced for, if I offer whatever $5, $10 less, then maybe they'll come back, but they'll always change the price.
266
But here in the US at the regular, at a regular retail store, you would not want to do that.
267
No, you can't go to Target and try to, try to barter.
268
You can try, but they're going to say no. Yeah, for sure. For sure.
269
But at a yard sale or a state sale or a garage sale, what do we call them?
270
You can do that.
271
Yeah.
272
Yard sale, garage sale.
273
That's where people are sort of out in front of their home with a lot of their, their household items or whatever that they're selling.
274
You just drive by and buy their stuff.
275
Yeah.
276
And you can find some pretty cool historical stuff.
277
A lot of Americana you can find, you know, especially if the people were around like in the fifties,
278
the sixties, some relics that you can come across and these sales, especially, you know, for the older generation.
279
So my kids love garage sales.
280
I let them pick books and games and it's all new to them.
281
Right.
282
Sure.
283
And it's cheap for you.
284
yeah okay so what did you say first yeah
285
so i first said i found this record signed by john lennon one of the beatles who has passed away
286
so i said this is worth its weight in gold because
287
if i'm a huge beatles fan that's extremely rare
288
that would be worth a very high price to me right right right for sure um
289
and then i said very cool but i'm not a huge beatles fan so probably not worth the money for me.
290
And again, here I'm dropping.
291
So it is not worth the money for me.
292
It is probably not.
293
Yes.
294
And this is a callback to part one.
295
So if you missed it, we talked about something being worth the blank noun, worth the money, worth the effort.
296
If you didn't, go back and check out part one.
297
Go back and check out.
298
Don't miss the part one of this series, guys.
299
Don't miss it.
300
And then I said, it's only $150 worth it.
301
So I'm saying it's definitely worth this price.
302
But then I'm like, but I'm still going to see if they'll sell it to me for less.
303
Right, right, right.
304
And then I said, I doubt it, but worth a try.
305
Nice.
306
Yeah, awesome.
307
This is so good.
308
There are so many idioms in English with worth.
309
And idiomatic language really boosts your fluency level and how well you're able to connect with others in English, right?
310
If you replaced these with very simple sentences, it's not nearly as interesting.
311
This is a more fun conversation.
312
Yes, I love it.
313
And kind of reflect on what we said earlier today around
314
just positivity in language you know does your culture expect positivity in language
315
or finishing a conversation on a positive note it's not true
316
everywhere in english in american english right not every conversation is supposed to end you know
317
if you're talking about death or something
318
that doesn't have to end in a good way right
319
but a lot of conversations we do tend to want to wrap it up with an up tone
320
and up note in a sense with a bow, like we say.
321
So if you're in the U .S., you might have noticed that and you might want to make an effort to try and do that because the people, the Americans that you're talking to will sort of be used to that and might kind of be like,
322
oh, if you end it with something negative.
323
Yeah, it's really interesting.
324
So think about your language.
325
Is that true?
326
And it's good to be able to reflect on, you know, what is, what are the frames that we're bringing into a new language?
327
Super interesting.
328
Very interesting.
329
I loved this series.
330
Thank you for joining me, Lindsay. So interesting.
331
All right.
332
Good stuff.
333
I'll see you soon, Aubrey.
334
Have a good one.
335
Awesome.
336
You too.
337
See you next time.
338
Bye.
Download App
Everything you need to speak fluently
AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
📺 Same Channel
B21
AEE - Can Movies Make You More Excited to Read?
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
2389 - Everyday English You Should Use Every Day
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
AEE - Does This Content Make You Feel Content?
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
2177 - Are You Behind the Times? English Idioms Inspired by Dinosaurs
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
2705 - Could Have, Should Have or Must Have?
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
Go off! You're doing great!
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B23
2684 - Intimidated by Classic Literature? 3 Tips to Overcome It With Rebecca Schinsky
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
Don't disclose this!
American AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B28
Great scott! This connection is strong!
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
2700 - What Would You Do for a Million Dollars?
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B214
Don’t Bite My Head Off! Anger Idioms in English
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
AEE - What is Lookism and What Can We Do About It?
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B29
2 Idioms You May Be Saying Incorrectly
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B23
2698 - In a While or For a While? Tricky English Grammar Explained
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
2397 - Experiences Part 1: How to Talk About Your Life
American AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B26
2579 - Don't Undermine Your English Listen Today!
American AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B15
2683 - Let’s Clean Out the Pantry! Ways To Describe Old, Rotting Food
American AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B12671 - Splash Into Summer Part 4: How’s Your Summer Going?
American AccentTeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B22
AEE - Do Aliens Exist? How to Connect Over Extraterrestrial Life
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
Vocabulary to show frustration!
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
✨ Recommend Video
B233
51 sentences
B2 English Listening Practice - Idioms in English 2
American AccentDaily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
B244
26 sentences
The 7 Habits of Highly Successful Students (Part 4) 🚀
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
69 sentences
LEARN ENGLISH WITH THE WORD WORTH
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B2113 sentences
Why You Should Talk About the Weather in English (Even If It Feels Pointless)
American AccentDaily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
B21
242 sentences
Think You're Fluent? Try This Proverbs Challenge!
American AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B21
74 sentences
All Ears English Podcast 04 Deep Thoughts Thursday Inspiration to Keep Learning
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
525 sentences
Learn English with PODCASTS — Our Favorite Movies of 2026
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
78 sentences
Learn the English Phrases "that kind of money" and "rolling in it"
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
C157 sentences
I Couldn't find a good book about idioms and their histories so I wrote one myself
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
200 sentences
Podcast English EP 02 - 8 English Idioms To Speak Like A Native #idioms #listeningskills
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Idioms That Are Worth Their Weight in Gold”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: worth, sale, weight, gold. This video has 338 sentences and 3102 words to shadow. The speech runs for 14:38. The speaker talks fast, about 212 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. 88% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| idiom noun | /ˈɪdiəm/ | A manner of speaking, a mode of expression peculiar to a language, language family, or group of people. |
| trampoline noun | /ˌtɹæmpəˈliːn/ | A gymnastic and recreational device consisting of a piece of taut, strong fabric or rubber stretched over a (usually steel) frame using many coiled springs as… |
| bargain noun | /ˈbɑːɹɡən/ | An agreement between parties concerning the sale of property; or a contract by which one party binds themself to transfer the right to some property for a… |
| cancel verb | /ˈkæn.sl̩/ | To cross out something with lines etc. |
| garage noun | /ɡəˈɹɑʒ/ | A building (or section of a building) used to store a car or cars, tools and other miscellaneous items. |
| headphones noun | /ˈhɛdfoʊnz/ | A pair of cushioned speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound. |
| idiomatic adjective | /ˌɪd.iː.əˈmat.ɪk/ | Pertaining or conforming to idiom, the natural mode of expression of a language. |
| positivity noun | /ˌpɑ.zɪˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/ | The condition of being positive (in all senses); positivism; optimism. |
| raffle noun | /ˈɹæfl̩/ | A drawing, often held as a fundraiser, in which tickets or chances are sold to win a prize. |
| smartwatch noun | A wristwatch with electronic functionality beyond timekeeping. | |
| humility noun | /hjuːˈmɪlɪti/ | The characteristic of being humble; humbleness in character and behavior. |
| noun noun | /naʊn/ | A word that functions as the name of a specific object or set of objects, such as person, animal, place, word, thing, phenomenon, substance, quality, or idea… |
| translate verb | /tɹænzˈleɪt/ | To change spoken words or written text (of a book, document, movie, etc.) from one language to another. |
| wrap verb | /ɹæp/ | To enclose (an object) completely in any flexible, thin material such as fabric or paper. |
| motivation noun | /ˈmoʊ.tə.veɪ.ʃən/ | Willingness of action especially in behavior. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| work out verb | /ˌwɝk ˈaʊt/ | To calculate. |
| check out verb | To record the departure or withdrawal of someone or something (such as guests, employees, books, etc.). | |
| go back verb | To return to a place or state after having been there at a previous time. | |
| step back verb | /stɛp ˈbæk/ | To stop what one is doing and evaluate the current situation. |
| come across verb | To change sides; to cross over to work for the opposition. | |
| come back verb | To return to a place. | |
| get out verb | To leave or escape. | |
| get out of verb | To leave, exit or escape from; to become free of. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- What did you buy recently?
- That's definitely happened to me before.
- I liked it for what it's worth.
- That's what are you going to say?
- Shall we go into it?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | has definitely been · I've heard · Have you ever been |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | was stuck · is signed |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | gold, which means · people who have |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 103 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, don't, I'm. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: garage /ɡəˈɹɑʒ/, motivation /ˈmoʊ.tə.veɪ.ʃən/, refresh /ɹɪˈfɹɛʃ/, gosh /ɡɑːʃ/, recommendation /ˌɹɛkəmɛnˈdeɪʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: idiomatic /ˌɪd.iː.əˈmat.ɪk/, positivity /ˌpɑ.zɪˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/, humility /hjuːˈmɪlɪti/, motivation /ˈmoʊ.tə.veɪ.ʃən/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like idiom, trampoline, bargain.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.