2194 - Play it Cool With These English Idioms

Summary

In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the various uses of the word 'cool' in English idioms and phrases. They discuss the importance of maintaining one's composure, as reflected in expressions like 'keep your cool' and 'play it cool.' The dialogue explores the significance of meditation in staying calm, especially in high-stress situations. The speakers also touch upon the social connotations of 'playing it cool' in scenarios like dating, job interviews, or encountering celebrities. Additionally, they examine the flip side of the coin with 'lose one's cool,' which signifies losing one's temper. The discussion is infused with humor and relatable anecdotes, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of these phrases and their appropriate contexts. The conversation concludes with a role play set in Bali, offering a practical application of the discussed idioms, and a teaser for a poll question related to the listeners' personalities, encouraging further engagement with the podcast.

Takeaways

• 🧘 Meditating regularly can help one maintain a calm demeanor, which is referred to as 'keeping your cool'.
• 🌡️ In hot regions like Arizona, 'stay cool' is a common phrase used to caution against the heat, similar to 'keep your cool' in emotional contexts.
• 📈 'Keeping a cool head' or 'keeping your cool' means staying calm in situations that could provoke a heightened emotional response.
• 🎭 'Play it cool' suggests acting naturally and not showing nervousness or desperation, even when excited or eager.
• 😡 'Lose one's cool' is the opposite of keeping calm; it implies losing one's temper or becoming very angry.
• ⏱️ 'Cool off' is used to describe the process of becoming less angry or upset, giving someone time to calm down.
• 🏃 Using the phrase 'take a beat' is a newer slang that means to take a moment to pause and collect oneself.
• 🌊 In the context of vacations, 'play it cool' can be used when encountering celebrities or in situations where one wants to appear nonchalant.
• 🚗 Traffic or other frustrating situations can be common triggers for losing one's cool, but it varies by individual temperament.
• 🤝 Apologizing by saying 'I lost my cool' is a light and straightforward way to acknowledge a moment of anger or impatience without over-apologizing.
• 📲 Subscribing to the podcast ensures listeners don't miss out on episodes and can access additional content like quizzes and trivia.

Q & A

What does the phrase 'keep your cool' mean?

The phrase 'keep your cool' means to remain calm and not get upset or angry, even in a stressful situation.

How does meditation practice affect one's ability to keep their cool?

Meditation practice can help a person to keep their cool by creating a mental space between the stimulus and the response, which allows for a calmer reaction to situations.

What does the term 'play it cool' imply when used in a social context?

'Play it cool' suggests acting naturally and not showing nervousness or desperation, especially in situations like meeting a celebrity or dating.

What does it mean to 'lose one's cool'?

To 'lose one's cool' means to lose one's temper or become very angry, which is the opposite of keeping calm.

What is the significance of the phrase 'stay cool' in the context of hot weather?

In the context of hot weather, 'stay cool' is used to advise someone to avoid the heat and find ways to keep their body temperature down to prevent discomfort or heat-related illnesses.

What is the role of the quiz mentioned in the script?

The quiz is an additional content feature for subscribers that provides extra insight into the vocabulary and concepts discussed in the podcast episode. It also checks the listener's understanding and includes trivia.

How can the term 'aloofness' be beneficial in a job interview?

Aloofness in a job interview can be beneficial as it helps to project an image of not being overly eager or desperate, which can make a candidate seem more confident and in control.

What does the phrase 'cool off' mean in the context of managing emotions?

'Cool off' refers to giving oneself time to become less angry or to calm down after a heated situation or emotional outburst.

What is the meaning of the slang term 'take a beat' as used in the script?

The slang term 'take a beat' means to take a short pause or a moment to compose oneself, often used when one needs to calm down or think before reacting.

Why is it suggested to wait before sending an email when angry?

Waiting before sending an email when angry is advised because it allows a person to cool off and think rationally, preventing the sending of a message that they might later regret.

How can the vocabulary discussed in the script help in managing and expressing emotions?

The vocabulary discussed in the script provides phrases that can be used to express emotional states and reactions in a way that is culturally understood and can facilitate better communication and emotional management.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Discussing the Concept of 'Cool'

The first paragraph introduces the topic of 'cool' in various contexts, focusing on emotional control and the importance of meditation in maintaining one's composure. The speakers discuss how meditation creates a space between stimulus and response, which is crucial when trying to 'keep your cool' or 'keep a cool head.' They also touch on regional phrases like 'stay cool' used in hot climates to mean avoiding the heat, and the bonus content available to subscribers in the form of quizzes that provide additional insights and vocabulary practice.

05:07

😌 The Art of Staying Calm: 'Keep Your Cool' and 'Play It Cool'

The second paragraph delves into idiomatic expressions using 'cool,' such as 'keep your cool' and 'play it cool.' The speakers differentiate between the two, with 'keep your cool' referring to staying calm in the face of heightened emotions and 'play it cool' implying acting naturally and not showing nervousness or desperation, such as in dating or job interviews. They also discuss the importance of positive phrasing and the challenges of maintaining composure when witnessing unfair treatment.

10:12

😡 Losing and Regaining Composure: 'Lose One's Cool' and 'Cool Off'

The third paragraph explores the phrases 'lose one's cool' and 'cool off.' 'Lose one's cool' signifies losing one's temper, which is the opposite of maintaining calmness. 'Cool off' is defined as becoming less angry or calming down over time. The speakers provide examples of how these phrases might be used in real-life situations, such as during a basketball game or when one needs a moment to regain composure after becoming upset. They also mention the modern slang 'take a beat,' which means to take a short break, and incorporate it into a role-play scenario set in Bali.

15:15

😐 Handling Emotions and Apologizing: 'Losing Your Cool' and Its Resolution

The final paragraph wraps up the discussion on the idiom 'losing your cool' and provides advice on how to apologize for such instances. It emphasizes the value of a simple and straightforward apology, suggesting that an over-apology is unnecessary if the situation doesn't warrant it. The speakers also encourage listeners to follow their podcast for consistent updates and practical tips on language and communication skills. They conclude with a poll question about the listener's personality, specifically their propensity to lose their cool.

Keywords

💡Cool

In the context of the video, 'cool' is used to describe a state of calmness and composure, particularly in emotionally charged situations. It is central to the theme of managing emotions and reactions. For example, 'keeping your cool' means remaining calm and not getting upset or angry, which is a key skill discussed for maintaining emotional balance.

💡Meditation

Meditation is mentioned as a practice that can help one 'keep their cool' by creating a mental space between stimulus and response. It is presented as a tool for emotional regulation, which is integral to the video's discussion on handling heightened emotions.

💡Phrases

The video discusses several idiomatic phrases related to the concept of 'cool,' such as 'keep your cool,' 'play it cool,' and 'lose your cool.' These phrases are part of the core vocabulary presented to help viewers express emotional states and reactions in a natural, native-like manner.

💡Emotions

Emotions are a central theme in the video, with a focus on how to manage and express them appropriately. The terms 'losing your cool' and 'keeping your cool' are directly related to emotional responses, and the video provides strategies for handling various emotions, such as anger or excitement.

💡Aloofness

Aloofness is discussed in the context of appearing nonchalant or indifferent, particularly in situations like dating or job interviews where one might want to convey a sense of non-desperation. It is related to the concept of 'playing it cool,' which is about acting naturally without showing excessive eagerness or nervousness.

💡Temper

Temper refers to a person's tendency to become angry or upset. In the video, 'losing one's cool' is associated with losing one's temper, which is a negative emotional response that the speakers aim to help viewers manage better through the use of calming techniques and emotional awareness.

💡Calm

Calmness is the state of being serene and tranquil. It is used in the video to describe the ideal emotional state one should strive for, especially in challenging situations. The keyword is closely tied to the video's theme of emotional regulation and is exemplified by phrases like 'keep a cool head.'

💡Apologize

The act of apologizing is discussed as a way to acknowledge a loss of emotional control and to make amends. It is presented as a simple and effective method for addressing situations where one has 'lost their cool,' emphasizing the importance of recognizing and owning one's emotional responses.

💡Vacation

The vacation scenario is used as a backdrop for a role-play in the video, illustrating how the discussed phrases and concepts can be applied in real-life situations. It serves as a relatable context for viewers and helps to demonstrate the practical use of the vocabulary related to emotional management.

💡Traffic

Traffic is mentioned as a common scenario where individuals might 'lose their cool' due to frustration and helplessness. It is used as an example to highlight the challenges of maintaining composure in everyday situations that can provoke stress and negative emotions.

💡Injustice

Injustice is referenced as a trigger for righteous anger, where a person might feel compelled to defend someone who is being treated unfairly. This keyword is used to illustrate the complexity of emotional responses and the importance of standing up for one's values, even when it might mean losing one's cool.

Highlights

The discussion explores the use of the word 'cool' in various idioms and phrases.

Meditation is mentioned as a tool for maintaining calmness and 'keeping your cool'.

The phrase 'keep a cool head' is considered possibly outdated compared to 'keep your cool'.

The idiom 'play it cool' is defined as acting naturally, especially in situations that might cause nervousness.

A job interview is given as an example where one might 'play it cool' to not appear desperate.

'Losing one's cool' is described as the opposite of keeping calm, indicating a loss of temper.

The importance of apologizing after losing one's cool is emphasized for maintaining healthy relationships.

The phrase 'cool off' is introduced as a way to give someone time to become less angry.

The slang 'take a beat' is highlighted as a newer expression meaning to take a moment to calm down.

A role-play scenario in Bali is used to demonstrate the use of the discussed idioms in a real-life situation.

The scenario of encountering a celebrity while on vacation is used to illustrate 'playing it cool'.

Heavy traffic and the feeling of helplessness are discussed as situations that might cause someone to lose their cool.

The conversation touches on personal values and how they influence when and why someone might lose their cool.

The hosts discuss the importance of a lightweight apology after losing one's cool, suggesting the phrase 'I lost my cool'.

The episode concludes with a reminder to follow the podcast for weekly episodes filled with tips and vocabulary.

A poll question about listeners' personalities and their propensity to lose their cool is teased for engagement.

The hosts share their personal experiences and what situations are most likely to cause them to lose their cool.

Transcripts

hey Aubrey what's shaking not much how are you I'm  feeling good today I'm feeling good it's getting  

warm outside so need to cool down AO we're talking  about the word cool a little bit are you good at  

keeping your cool Lindsay it really depends  honestly on how strong my meditation practice  

is in any given week or any given month or season  so I can tell you that I can imagine that makes a  

huge difference yes yeah because meditation  really calms you it they say it creates that  

space between the stimul and the response and  that's exactly what it is when you lose your  

cool you kind of lash out you react quickly and  meditation expands that essentially freedom of  

mind oh man I love that I'm so excited to go into  some of these phrases today we use the word cool  

in so many amazing phrases you just heard a couple  of them keep your cool lose your cool but this  

was actually inspired by a recent conversation  that you and Michelle had when you were talking  

about saying stay cool and you mentioned  you're like does anyone ever say this about  

weather when it's really hot out maybe we should  ask Aubrey and yes we do in Arizona here we'll  

say stay cool when it's really hot out meaning  like avoid the heat you are our go-to resource  

for uh warm weather vocabulary yeah I'm curious  I know a lot of our listeners also live in very  

hot areas I'm curious if you say something like  that too when it's like when you say goodbye  

it's like stay cool or stay out of the heat  right I bet they do I would love to hear from  

our listeners maybe over on social but tell us a  bit more about where else our listeners could go  

to get more amazing content yes I was telling  Lindsay this came up because when Jessica and  

I recorded the quiz for that episode I brought  it up in the quiz I was like Lindsay mentioned  

in the episode and I'm here to answer yes we say  stay cool so it was sort of bonus content for quiz  

takers and that happens a lot that you know we  will mention a term or sort of go past something  

and then in the quiz we break it down we'll have  an interesting question and there's quite a bit  

of bonus cont content there so if you're not  a subscriber you're missing out so you should  

subscribe to get those quizzes yes I know I wonder  if our listeners even know what we're what we're  

talking about when we say the quiz there's all  this extra content that you might be missing  

if you are not subscribed so this is available at  this time over on Apple podcast right this is our  

Apple our allers English plus offering so listen  in apple podcast to be able to get that all right  

guys good stuff awesome yes and you can sign  up for a free trial check it out I know you're  

going to love it so yeah they're so fun Jessica I  love recording those yeah five minutes right after  

three to five minutes I think it's about about  five minutes after every episode and then it's  

another angle on the topic and most importantly we  check your understanding right how well how well  

you understood and get some extra insight to some  of the vocabulary host trivia which is always fun  

we pull out and see if you guys remember some  interesting things that we share here on the  

podcast they're really fun try it out you like  auy said you can do that trial 7-Day trial and  

actually I think it's a 30-day trial I believe  it's a 30 trial so can't lose amazing all right  

good stuff Aubrey let's go into today's vocabulary  though what yeah so these phrases are so great for  

connection because we often need to talk about  emotions if we are keeping our cool and then  

apologize if we lose control of them so this is  a really important connection skill I'm excited  

for you guys to get the vocabulary to be able  to do that in a very native natural way yeah so  

the first one actually the first one I don't use  much but I bet you might use this sometimes keep  

a cool head right or keep your cool those yeah so  I saw this one in sort of a list of idioms keep a  

cool head and the more I thought about it I don't  hear that very often it's maybe a little outdated  

I think instead we say keep your cool wouldn't you  agree well yeah I I agree I mean I know that even  

keep your cool though has been around since I was  a kid I remember adult saying that when oh yeah  

but I still hear that right I still hear keep your  cool know what it means keep a cool head I just  

feel like people don't say that as often but we  do still say keep your cool I love it yeah so if  

you find yourself getting worked up getting upset  getting angry getting anxious well so when we say  

cool is that an antidote to any heightened emotion  auy or is it more getting angry is it the opposite  

good question it really means to stay calm but it  could definitely be uh about anger or even just  

you know jealousy excite could be any emotion  where you're getting a little worked UPS anything  

where you would need to stay calm or it could  be Panic right like if you're an elevator and  

it drops right keep it cool Don't Panic absolutely  so for example you might say you may find yourself  

getting worked up but be sure to keep a cool head  or be sure to keep your cool yeah I like that  

cuz that's how we can make logical decisions  yes it's a very kind way if you see someone  

getting agitated angry really afraid just be like  okay keep your cool it's not patronizing right I I  

would prefer someone say this to me rather than  like don't panic don't get angry just keep your  

cool interesting right it's always better to say  a positive a positive sentence then a negative  

instead of saying don't do this don't do that say  something positive in a way right I try to keep  

my cool but it's difficult when I see someone  treated unfairly right right this is very true  

for me right I'm I'm usually able to keep my cool  but every now and then if I see unjust treatment  

of someone I feel myself lose my cool and I'm like  that righteous anger of like God I have something  

must be done yeah I love that I love that you  know there's that's why like personal visions  

and the things we stand for in life we need to be  in touch with that for sure um really good stuff  

so what's number two number two is play it cool  sounds like it would be the same but it means a  

little different it means to act naturally it  can be like you know don't get nervous don't  

panic but it also could just me like I think of  this if you like saw a celebrity like you might  

say I think that's Brad Pit walking this way play  it cool guys just me like Act Naturally don't go  

crazy don't Swoon don't swon that's a good bonus  for today don't Swoon swon don't freak out and run  

around him and asking for a photo play it cool I  think of this when I think of dating and someone  

says oh I'm going to play cool I'm not going to  return their phone call right away that kind of  

thing right exactly give a little time before  you send a text cool right right right exactly  

you might in a job interview too right I tried  to play it cool in the job interview but I'm  

not sure how well I did just trying to show that  you're not nervous or or you know desperate right  

just play it cool yeah or just that you maybe you  really want the job right you really want that job  

it looks like the dream job for you but you can't  really show that because you need to kind of make  

it look like you have other options like it's kind  of a little you need a bit of that aloofness right  

exactly right yes you can be excited you can  definitely let them know that you're interested  

you're excited about the job but if it can come  across as too much if you don't have any aloofness  

like it will feel like you have no other options  you don't want that right so that's where that  

would make sense playing it cool a little bit  I might add more details though if I said that  

right play it cool in the job interview just to  say exactly what you were trying to do cuz it's  

more obvious to me in dating or seeing a famous  person than it is in a job interview I think yeah  

this would definitely be part of a conversation  right you're then going to share like how it went  

exactly what you said or did yeah absolutely  okay and number three Aubrey what is it yes to  

lose one's cool which means to lose your temper  or get really angry it's really just the opposite  

of keeping your cool you lose your cool yeah  for sure and be careful with the spelling guys  

bonus between loose and lose maybe that's another  episode for another day Aubrey common mistake yes  

can be a real challenge sometimes in writing and  speaking pronouncing reading uh so okay so what's  

a sample sentence you could say sometimes I lose  my cool when I get really upset about something  

and this doesn't have to be a full-on explosion  temper tantrum just be like I'm not I just don't  

stay as calm as I would like right exactly or  you could say I'm really sorry about yesterday  

I totally lost my cool now this might be a  situation where you just blew up you stood up  

got upset walked out in a yes I love the idea of  walking out because you might not say anything but  

if you were angry and got up and left when it was  an awkward Time to Leave You could also apologize  

for losing your cool like you got so angry that  you left when it wasn't a good time to leave and  

also this doesn't have to be just about physical  you left a room it could also be an email you sent  

right they what is that rule they say you should  wait 24 hours before sending an email if you're  

angry upset at all give yourself time to calm down  time to uh get your cool back yeah for sure for  

sure yeah good stuff all right what's number four  all right and this is what I should have said but  

I was trying not to give the spoiler too early we  wouldn't say get your cool back we'd say cool off  

give you time to cool off this is number four it  means to be come less angry time to calm down cool  

down yeah I like that I need to cool off so for  example his coach pulled him from the game and  

told them to cool off this you'll see a lot right  we went to a basketball game not long ago and I  

saw this happen a few times the players will get  really upset or they and they start fowling each  

other at a basketball game so the coach will pull  them and you see them tell them take a minute to  

cool off oh interesting good practice that's  important for sure yeah um or I felt myself  

getting angry so I took a beat so I took a beat to  coola this is interesting I took a beat what do we  

mean here what yeah this is sort of newer slang  I was wondering if you'd pick this up yeah um I'm  

hearing people say this more and more like take a  beat take a minute to say like oh I took a beat to  

cool down just means like you took a little bit  of time oh okay interesting good to know you're  

very tuned in to the younger slang here with your  kids auy right you're hearing it teenagers it's  

good it's good yes though again I I feel like this  is one I think it did start with the teenagers and  

now I'm hearing it more podcasts TV shows there's  one reality show where they're like saying it a  

lot so it's kind of trending take a beat I took  a beat love it to cool off okay so we're going  

to put all this into a role play so we make it  come to life and make it real right so yes this  

is a fun one you and I are in Bali on vacation  for this you're welome Bali visualize it for  

one minute vacation I love it let's do it I'll  start us out sorry about yesterday when we were  

running late and I lost my cool oh no worries I  was surprised though you're usually pretty good  

at keeping your cool we all have our moments I  guess I'm glad you gave me some time to cool off  

before we went out no worries hey is that Margo  Robbie oh my gosh I think it is play it cool I'm  

sure she doesn't want people approaching her  on vacation I love it it had to be somewhere  

cool that we were vacationing where Margo Robbie  might also be on vacation yeah I love that that's  

so funny and Bali is very cool I've always wanted  to go to Bali I haven't been either but I've heard  

it's amazing I'm sure all right so here we're  on vacation and I was surpris you surprised me  

because you lost your cool so you said sorry about  yesterday when we were running late and I lost my  

cool do you I guess maybe at the end I'll ask  you what is the situation in which you're most  

likely to lose your cool an airort for example  so think about that for a minute up we'll come  

back think about it yeah and I love this is how  I would say if I'm apologizing for being a little  

short-tempered a little snippy this is probably  how I would say it sorry about yesterday I lost  

my cool yeah sorry about yesterday I lost my cool  I like that sounds good sounds clear and you're  

not overdoing it on apologizing either which is  kind of good not getting stuck in right exactly  

we're keeping it kind of like and it probably  wasn't something super huge it might be the  

kind of thing where you don't even remember me you  know being upset it's like oh that was nothing no  

big deal but I it was enough that I felt like  I needed to apologize I lost my cool just a  

little bit I love that and then I said no worries  I was surprised though you're usually pretty good  

at keeping your cool and we're still in the lose  your cool keep your cool exactly right these are  

opposites and yeah it's interesting um this is a  compliment right to tell someone you're usually  

pretty good at keeping your cool it just means  you're usually pretty levelheaded you're not one  

to lose your temper easily love it and then what  and then I said I'm glad you gave me some time  

to cool off before we went out so whatever had  happened happened you gave me some space so that  

I could cool off before we had another interaction  and we probably didn't talk about it again until  

I apologized the next day curious like I didn't  really think about what maybe I had done to make  

you angry yeah we were running late you were maybe  why we were late and I was like Lindsay let's

go oh good stuff and then you said oh my gosh  I think it is play it cool right I'm sure she  

doesn't want people approaching her on vacation  and that's funny this this is definitely a time  

that I would use this if if I saw someone famous  we're like play it cool act natural I love it so  

what is it Aubrey what is the scenario in  which you're most likely to lose your cool  

is it airports is it traffic is it traffic I was  about to say I feel like heavy traffic which has  

happened a few times especially on vacation  because you have a limited amount of time so  

to be stuck in an hour the last time we went  to Rocky Point there was probably a two and  

a half maybe thre hour line of cars that we  were stuck in to get into the border and it  

was sad because you want to be like beach by  noon right you leave in the morning and it's  

so nice to be able to get to the beach and  instead we got there at like five or six and  

so it felt kind of wasted that first day because  we were stuck in traffic and you're just there's  

nothing you can do you're helpless it's such a  bummer oh I'm sorry to hear that that is rough  

yeah not good not good it happens but even then  like I I I wouldn't It's tricky because really  

losing your cool is like snapping at people  and losing your temper and and I I don't like  

think back and I didn't you know I was just like  this is a bummer sorry everybody but what are you  

going to do yeah it also kind of depends on your  personality so you were just disappointed right  

you were bummed out right but some people would  just kind of get upset about any driver moving in  

front of them and they would lose their cool in  that scenario right up yeah I'm pretty chill I'm  

pretty you know when I do lose my cool is if like  I said in one of those example sentence if I see  

unjust treatment like if I see someone sometimes  I've seen people complain or be sort of cruel  

to someone working at like the coffee shop and  it's just a teenager I'll stand up for them like  

hey you know what I mean cuz then I I do kind of  lose my cool I'm like I feel like I need to defend  

this person that's great I love that so good all  right this has been a good episode Aubrey guys  

now you have the vocabulary to you know talk  about your own personality so I think our poll  

question today is probably going to be something  about your personality guys as listener you know  

do you lose your cool easily yes or no right  yes I want to know absolutely yeah so Aubrey  

what should our listeners do next to make sure  they don't miss a single episode of our show be  

sure to hit follow you guys we have five episodes  every week they're all packed with great tips and  

vocabulary so wherever you listen to podcast open  your browser and make sure to hit follow on the  

allers English podcast yeah and I think that's  the takeaway for today is what we said earlier  

this is a really succinct and lightweight way to  apologize if you get upset you don't need to sit  

down and have a whole breakdown oh my gosh I'm  so sorry if if the relationship doesn't Merit  

that or the scenario doesn't Merit it you need  something more lightweight and this is it just  

say sorry I lost my cool no problem move on  much cooler that way absolutely I love it all  

right good stuff all right I'll see you in the  next episode take care thanks Lindsay bye bye