Phrasal Verb News

Episode overview

After the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, the story has shifted to the aftermath — the public reactions, online comments, and professional consequences that followed. From late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to anonymous social media users, many discovered that words can backfire, damage reputations, and even cost jobs.

In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, I’ll explain the story and teach you 5 phrasal verbs and idioms you can use to talk about public reactions, mistakes, and consequences. As always, I’ll give clear definitions, examples, Spanish translations, and practice questions.

What...

Episode overview

Rudeness isn’t just bad manners — it’s expensive. A new study from the Society for Human Resource Management found that workplace rudeness costs U.S. businesses $2.1 billion every single day. That’s 208 million acts of rudeness: being short in an email, cutting someone off in a meeting, talking down to colleagues, putting others down, or even talking behind someone’s back.

In today’s episode of Phrasal Verb News, we’ll break down what these phrases mean, give real-world business examples, and explain how small behaviors can add up to big costs.

Episode overview

After a week of protests, violence, and heavy headlines, it’s time for something different. In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we focus only on positive, funny, and uplifting stories — no politics, no scandals, no negativity. Just good news that can brighten your day and help you learn useful English expressions.

First, we go to Colorado, where hikers climbing a 14,000-foot mountain were surprised by a man dressed as an ice cream cone handing out frozen treats at the summit. Word got around fast, and people were worried the supply would run out...

Episode overview

At a Hyundai factory in Alabama, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out a dramatic raid. Workers on the assembly line were suddenly told to drop what they were doing and line up to be questioned. By the end of the day, 475 employees were arrested in what ICE described as a major undertaking.

The raid is part of a sweeping policy to crack down on illegal immigration and hiring practices. But it has already come under fire from community leaders who say the approach was far too aggressive.

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Episode overview

The board of Tesla wants to pay Elon Musk one trillion dollars — yes, that’s a one followed by 12 zeros. But there are plenty of strings attached. Musk will only get the money if he hits ambitious milestones, from doubling Tesla’s market cap to launching self-driving taxis and humanoid robots. Even then, the payout comes with “golden handcuffs” — he must stay with Tesla for 10 years to collect the full amount.

In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we’ll explore this record-breaking compensation package and learn idioms and phrasal verbs you can use in your ow...

Episode overview

Three brothers from Scotland just set a world record that few would even dare to attempt: rowing across the entire Pacific Ocean. Starting in Peru and finishing in Australia, they rowed over 9,000 miles (14,500 km) in just 139 days — completely unsupported. Along the way they faced storms, seasickness, food shortages, and even a terrifying moment when one brother went overboard.

But they didn’t let it take the wind out of their sails. Their determination paid off — they smashed the previous record by 20 days, raised over £700,000 for clean water projects, and truly made waves in the wor...

Episode overview

This week, Nestlé’s CEO was forced out after an internal investigation revealed he had crossed the line with a subordinate. The scandal came to light thanks to a whistleblower hotline, and the board quickly moved to replace him. In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we look at what happens when leaders dip the pen in company ink — and we also learn many ways to talk about quitting, resigning, or getting fired in English.

What you will learn

💼 Ways to talk about ending a job in English:

Episode overview

At the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin, China and India surprised the world by agreeing to bury the hatchet after years of border tension. Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi met face-to-face, signaling a desire to patch things up and focus on trade and stability.

The summit also included plans to set up a new Development Bank to reduce dependence on Western institutions, potentially paving the way for projects in technology, green energy, and infrastructure. Leaders also agreed to lay the groundwork for long-term cooperation in security, climate change, and artificial intelligence...

Episode overview

It’s Friday, which means it’s time for our weekly review! In this recap of Phrasal Verb News, we revisit four big stories — from the US government buying into Intel, to new US tariffs, a tragic rescue mission on Victory Peak, and the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. Along the way, we’ll review more than a dozen phrasal verbs and idioms with Spanish translations and business-friendly examples.

What you will review

In a rare move, the US government has acquired a 10% stake in Intel, converting over $11 billion in pledged funds into shares of the struggling chipmaker. Supporters say it’s a smart way for the US to cash in while boosting domestic chip production, but critics warn that Washington is getting into dangerous territory by mixing politics and business.

In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we explain the story and break down four useful phrasal verbs with Spanish translations and business-friendly examples.

What you will learn

Episode overview

Today’s story is a tragic one about Russian mountaineer Natalya Negovista, who became stranded on Victory Peak after breaking her leg during descent. Despite repeated rescue missions and climbers dropping off supplies, brutal weather and icy conditions forced authorities to eventually call off the search. The story highlights both the dangers of extreme mountaineering and the courage of those who set out to help.

What you will learn

Four essential English phrasal verbs with Spanish translations and business-friendly examples:

Episode overview

Why is the Bermuda Triangle still so mysterious? In today’s episode of Phrasal Verb News, we clear up the myth with science, not superstition. Australian scientist Karl Kruszelnicki argues that statistics and weather explain what happens in the region between Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico.

What you will learn

Five useful English phrasal verbs with Spanish translations and business-friendly examples:

In today’s episode of Phrasal Verb News, we dive into a story that affects global trade, online shopping, and your next package: the end of the U.S. de minimis tariff exception.

For years, packages under $800 could enter the U.S. duty-free, but starting August 29, President Trump’s executive order will remove that exemption. Shipping companies like DHL, La Poste, Correos, and Royal Mail say they feel boxed in by the sudden change and are pressing pause on some deliveries until they can sort out the logistics.

Supporters of the move say...

In today’s episode of Phrasal Verb News, we look at a courtroom story from Australia, where a senior lawyer ended up in hot water after he slipped up and filed legal documents full of fake quotes — all generated by AI.

The judge accepted his apology, saying he wasn’t acting in bad faith — but the mistake still delayed a murder trial and could have easily backfired. Luckily for him, the judge bought it and the case continued.

We’ll break down 5 useful expressions from this story, with English examples, Spanish translations, and practi...

In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we dive into the recent flurry of diplomatic meetings — from Trump’s Alaska summit with Putin to his emergency talks with Zelenskyy and European leaders in Washington.

These events highlight the shifting dynamics in the search for peace in Ukraine — and give us the perfect context to learn 5 powerful expressions you can use in business, negotiations, and everyday life:

Hello, I’m Grant and welcome back to Phrasal Verb News — the podcast where we use real news stories to teach you phrasal verbs and idioms in context.

In today’s episode, we cover the Air Canada strike that disrupted hundreds of flights before the airline, government, and union reached a last minute deal. Along the way, you will learn 5 useful expressions you can use in business and everyday life

In today’s episode of Phrasal Verb News, we look at the devastating wildfires sweeping across Spain — one of the worst summers on record, with entire villages evacuated and thousands forced from their homes.

As always, we’ll use this real news story to learn 5 powerful phrasal verbs you can start using right away:

👉 Each verb comes with clear examples in English, Spanish translations, and a question for you to practice.

Whether you’re a bu...

In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we break down a headline-making deal between the U.S. government and chip giants AMD and Nvidia. For years, the U.S. has clamped down on AI chip sales to China over national security concerns. Now, it’s agreed to let the companies carry on selling to China — but only if they hand over 15% of the revenue from those sales.

From this story, you’ll learn five useful expressions you can use in both everyday and business conversations:

In today’s lighter and heartwarming episode of Phrasal Verb News, we head to Amsterdam, where the city is investing €100,000 to install tiny staircases along its famous canals. The goal? To help stray cats escape if they accidentally fall in.

From this story, you’ll learn four practical expressions for everyday and business English:

I’ll expl...

In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we cover a tragic story from Colombia — the death of senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, who passed away two months after being shot during a campaign event. This heartbreaking event is even more poignant because his mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was also killed decades ago during a violent chapter in the country’s history.

From this story, you’ll learn four powerful expressions you can use in both everyday and professional English:

You hear it every day: “How are you?” But most professionals only have a few boring answers: “I’m fine.” “I’m good.” In this episode, Grant breaks down how to respond in more natural, expressive, and professional ways — plus how to ask the question like a native speaker.

✅ Learn the difference between:

🎯 You’ll also discover:

In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we explore the groundbreaking story of Tawana Looney, a grandmother from Alabama who became the first living person to receive a kidney from a genetically modified pig. This medical breakthrough could pave the way for solving the global organ shortage, offering hope to millions suffering from organ failure. Along the way, we’ll break down key phrasal verbs, idioms, and expressions to help you improve your English skills.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases:

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we explore the dramatic annulment of Romania’s presidential election and use the story to teach six essential phrasal verbs: call off, stir up, nullify, bring forward, go ahead, and stand up for. Whether you're a business professional or an English learner, this episode offers practical examples and questions to help you use these phrases confidently in your everyday conversations.

Key Vocabulary and Definitions

Welcome to the first episode of the Phrasal Verb News Podcast!

Join me, Grant, as we explore the “Grate Cheese Robbery,” a bizarre true crime story about a half-million-dollar cheddar heist. But this isn’t just a news recap—it’s your chance to learn real-life English through phrasal verbs and idioms in context.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: