Improving Your English: Key Idioms and Expressions from the Episode

Master essential professional vocabulary, including collocations like ‘do business,’ using practical.

Why Business English Collocations Matters

This guide helps you practise Mastering Business English Collocations with the episode’s real vocabulary, pronunciation points and examples. Master essential professional vocabulary and idiomatic expressions through real-world examples, focusing on common usage errors and pronunciation.

Business English Collocations: Fast Recap

The program teaches natural English phrasing by distinguishing between frequently confused collocations (e.g. using ‘do business’ instead of ‘make business’).

It uses an interactive format to help learners improve fluency in professional settings.

include understanding specific grammar rules (‘some’ vs. ‘any’), correcting pronunciation errors (like the ‘o’ in ‘product’), and identifying false friends between Spanish and English.

What to Practise

• First, use ‘do business’ instead of ‘make business’; the rule of thumb is you ‘make money’ but ‘do business’.
• Next, to describe making a suitcase, use the verb ‘to pack’ instead of ‘make’ or ‘do’.
• Also, pronounce the ‘o’ in ‘product’ with an ‘a’ sound, similar to the brand ‘Prada’.
• However, understand that ‘commercial’ is a false friend; a salesperson should be called a ‘sales rep’ or ‘salesperson’.
• Therefore, distinguish between ‘deception’ (which means a lie) and ‘disappointment’ or ‘letdown’ (the translation for ‘decepción’).

Business English Collocations: Episode Roadmap

Business Collocations

This part focuses on Proper usage of collocations like ‘do business’ and ‘make money’. Use it as a listening checkpoint: pause here, repeat the useful expressions, and check that you can explain the idea without translating word for word.

English Grammar and Pronunciation Clinic

This part focuses on Reviewing quantifiers (‘some’ vs. ‘any’) and correcting difficult English sounds. Use it as a listening checkpoint: pause here, repeat the useful expressions, and check that you can explain the idea without translating word for word.

Culture and Idiomatic English

This part focuses on Learning advanced slang and common idioms to make speech more natural. Use it as a listening checkpoint: pause here, repeat the useful expressions, and check that you can explain the idea without translating word for word.

Culture, Movies, and Idiomatic English

This part focuses on bee’s knees – la pera and connects it with Drop Dead Gorgeous movie. Use it as a listening checkpoint: pause here, repeat the useful expressions, and check that you can explain the idea without translating word for word.

Key Ideas to Remember

• First, use ‘do business’ instead of ‘make business’; the rule of thumb is you ‘make money’ but ‘do business’.
• Next, to describe making a suitcase, use the verb ‘to pack’ instead of ‘make’ or ‘do’.
• Also, pronounce the ‘o’ in ‘product’ with an ‘a’ sound, similar to the brand ‘Prada’.
• However, understand that ‘commercial’ is a false friend; a salesperson should be called a ‘sales rep’ or ‘salesperson’.
• Therefore, distinguish between ‘deception’ (which means a lie) and ‘disappointment’ or ‘letdown’ (the translation for ‘decepción’).
• Finally, apply ‘some’ for affirmative sentences and offers, and ‘any’ for questions and negative sentences.
• Recognize the multiple meanings of ‘joint’. This can refer to a business venture, a body part, a location, or even prison.
• Use the native expression ‘to sum it up’ or ‘in a nutshell’ as an alternative to ‘summarize’.
• Utilize the idioms ‘the bee’s knees’ or ‘the business’ to describe something as excellent or high quality.
• Correct the common grammatical error ‘look forward to hear’ to ‘look forward to hearing’.

Business English Collocations: Vocabulary

English	Español	Note / Uso
Keep it up	Sigue así / Sigue haciéndolo bien	Motivational phrase used for encouragement.
The cream of the crop	La crème de la crème / Lo mejor de lo mejor	Used to describe something or someone of superior quality.
Crop	Cosecha	Literal translation of the word within the idiom ‘cream of the crop’.
Reap what you sow	Recoges lo que siembras	Idiom about the consequences of one’s actions.
Top of the pops	En lo más alto / Los mejores	Alternative way to say ‘cream of the crop’.
Leave out	Omitir	Phrasal verb discussed in the context of ‘loving’.
Get-together	Una quedada / Reunión informal	Noun form of the phrasal verb ‘to get together’.
Bet	Apuesta	This episode notes that one ‘makes a bet’ rather than ‘does a bet’.
Head start	Un poco de ventaja	To start something before others to gain an advantage.
Relay	Transmitir	Used in the context of relaying information back to someone.
Cream of the crop	La crème de la crème / Lo mejor de lo mejor	A metaphor used to describe the best people in a group, with ‘crop’ literally meaning ‘cosecha’.
You reap what you sow	Recoges lo que siembras	An idiom explained to highlight that the students’ improvement in English is a direct result of their effort and dedication.
Mark your calendars	Anotar en el calendario	A common expression used to tell people to remember a specific date for an upcoming event, such as the Trivia Night on May 5th.
Do business	Hacer negocios	This episode emphasizes that this is a ‘set phrase’—you ‘make money’ but you ‘do business’. Therefore, you are carrying it out.
Rule of thumb	Regla general	Used to describe a general principle or broadly accurate guide based on experience rather than theory.
Throw a party	Montar una fiesta	A corrected collocation; the episode notes that you do not ‘make’ or ‘do’ a party, but rather ‘have’ or ‘throw’ one.

Practice Ideas

Concept	Explanation	Why it matters
Do Business vs. Make Business	This episode clarifies that in English, you ‘do business’ (carry out transactions) while you ‘make money’ (fabricate wealth).	Spanish speakers frequently make the mistake of saying ‘make business’ by translating directly from Spanish; learning this as a set phrase ensures professional accuracy.
Product Pronunciation	The correct pronunciation of ‘product’ requires isolating the vowel sound to an open ‘a’, similar to the pronunciation of the brand ‘Prada’.	Mispronouncing this word is described by The episode as a common and grating error for native speakers, often sounding like a ‘blackboard scratch’.
False Friend: Deception	The word ‘deception’ in English refers to a lie or trickery, whereas the Spanish word ‘decepción’ actually translates to ‘disappointment’ or ‘letdown’.	Using the word incorrectly can change the meaning of a sentence from expressing sadness to accusing someone of being a liar.
Some vs. Any	Generally, ‘some’ is used for affirmative sentences and offers. Meanwhile, ‘any’ is used for questions and negative sentences.	Mastering these quantifiers is essential for basic conversational fluency and for making polite requests or offers.
Polysemy of ‘Joint’	The word ‘joint’ is highly versatile, referring to a business venture, an anatomical articulation, a place (like a bar), marijuana, or even prison.	Understanding these diverse meanings is crucial for navigating different social contexts, from professional business meetings to informal slang.
Poetic License	This concept explains why musicians often break grammatical rules, such as using double negatives, for artistic or rhythmic purposes.	It cautions learners against using song lyrics as absolute guides for formal grammar, as art does not always follow strict linguistic rules.
Straight Face	An idiomatic expression that means keeping a serious expression and avoiding laughter or smiling despite a funny situation.	It is a useful social idiom that helps learners describe emotional control in humorous or awkward situations.
Guinea Pig	An idiom (translated from ‘conejito de Indias’) used to describe a person who is the first to test a new product, drug, or idea.	It is a common cultural reference in English history and science, notably used here to describe Albert Hofmann testing LSD on himself.

Examples From the Episode

Source / Moment	Why it helps	Review cue
Keep it up	Used as a phrase of encouragement meaning to continue doing a good job.	Use this as context while reviewing the video.
You reap what you sow	A biblical/proverbial idiom meaning ‘recoges lo que siembras,’ used to explain that effort leads to improvement.	Use this as context while reviewing the video.
May 5th, 2026	The scheduled date for the Vaughn Radio Trivia Night Rob Grams and Andy Vaughn.	Use this as context while reviewing the video.
What is the craziest bet you’ve ever made?	The ‘Question of the Week’ for speaking practice, highlighting the collocation ‘to make a bet’ (not ‘do a bet’).	Use this as context while reviewing the video.
Do business vs. Make money	A rule of thumb: you ‘make’ what you fabricate (money) and ‘do’ what you carry out (business).	Use this as context while reviewing the video.
To pack	The correct verb for ‘hacer la maleta’ in English, avoiding the ‘make/do’ confusion.	Use this as context while reviewing the video.
Raphael – ‘Estar enamorado’	This episode shares that he learned Spanish by transcribing the lyrics of this specific singer.	Use this as context while reviewing the video.
I can’t get no satisfaction	An example of ‘poetic license’ in songs where Mick Jagger uses a double negative that is grammatically incorrect (standard: ‘I can’t get any satisfaction’).	Use this as context while reviewing the video.

Common Learner Traps

Watch out for	Why it matters	Better move
Crop	Literal translation of the word within the idiom ‘cream of the crop’.	Say it in a short sentence, then check whether the meaning changes if you translate it literally.
Do Business vs. Make Business	This episode clarifies that in English, you ‘do business’ (carry out transactions) while you ‘make money’ (fabricate wealth).	Spanish speakers frequently make the mistake of saying ‘make business’ by translating directly from Spanish; learning this as a set phrase ensures professional accuracy.
Product Pronunciation	The correct pronunciation of ‘product’ requires isolating the vowel sound to an open ‘a’, similar to the pronunciation of the brand ‘Prada’.	Mispronouncing this word is described by The episode as a common and grating error for native speakers, often sounding like a ‘blackboard scratch’.
Some vs. Any	Generally, ‘some’ is used for affirmative sentences and offers. Meanwhile, ‘any’ is used for questions and negative sentences.	Mastering these quantifiers is essential for basic conversational fluency and for making polite requests or offers.

Try It Yourself

Use these prompts after reading the article. They are designed for active recall: say the answer aloud first, then check the tables above.

1. Explain this in your own words: Use ‘do business’ instead of ‘make business’; the rule of thumb is you ‘make money’ but ‘do business’.
2. Explain this in your own words: To describe making a suitcase, use the verb ‘to pack’ instead of ‘make’ or ‘do’.
3. Explain this in your own words: Pronounce the ‘o’ in ‘product’ with an ‘a’ sound, similar to the brand ‘Prada’.
4. Make one original sentence with “Keep it up” without starting from “Sigue así” in Spanish.
5. Make one original sentence with “Cream of the crop” without starting from “Lo mejor de lo mejor / La crème de la crème” in Spanish.
6. Make one original sentence with “Reap what you sow” without starting from “Recoges lo que siembras” in Spanish.

Business English Collocations: Glossary

Term	Meaning / Spanish
Keep it up	Sigue así
Cream of the crop	Lo mejor de lo mejor / La crème de la crème
Reap what you sow	Recoges lo que siembras
Rule of thumb	Regla general
The bee’s knees	La pera / Lo mejor
False friend: Commercial	Anuncio (TV/radio)
False friend: Deception	Engaño / Mentira
Joint venture	Empresa conjunta / Alianza comercial
In a nutshell	En resumidas cuentas / En pocas palabras
Guinea pig	Conejito de Indias
Drop dead gorgeous	Preciosa / Impresionante
That being said	Dicho esto / Eso dicho

Questions Learners Ask

What is the rule of thumb for using 'make' vs. 'do' in Business English?

The general rule of thumb is that you use 'make' when fabricating or creating something, and 'do' for actions you carry out. A helpful way to remember this in a business context is: if you want to make money, you have to do business.

How can I pronounce the word 'product' correctly to avoid common errors?

To pronounce 'product' like a native speaker, you should isolate the vowel sound to an 'A' sound, similar to the pronunciation of the brand 'Prada'. Mispronouncing it as 'broduc' is a common mistake that can be jarring to native ears.

What is the difference between an English 'commercial' and a 'salesperson'?

In English, 'commercial' is a false friend; it refers to a television or radio advertisement rather than a professional role. If you are referring to the job title, you should use terms like 'salesperson' or 'sales rep'.

When is it correct to use 'some' in an English question instead of 'any'?

While 'any' is standard for questions and negatives, you use 'some' in questions when you are making a polite offer or request. For example, you would ask, 'Would you like some coffee?' or 'Can I have some water?'.

What are the five different meanings of the word 'joint' explained in the episode?

The word 'joint' is highly versatile and can refer to a shared business venture, an anatomical articulation (like an elbow), a social 'place' or bar, a marijuana cigarette, or even prison.

What does the idiomatic expression 'the bee's knees' mean?

The expression 'the bee's knees' is an informal way to describe something that is of excellent quality, high standard, or 'the bomb'. It is often used to praise a particularly good product or book.

Business English Collocations: Quick Quiz

Review Cards