Hey there! This is TOP episode 322. Learn English with “End of Beginning” by Djo
You read English. You understand English. You’ve been learning for years, but when it’s time to speak your mind just freezes, and the words don’t come out. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. My name’s Ola, and this is Teacher Ola Podcast. I’m here to help you finally speak out loud. This isn’t about perfect grammar or fancy vocabulary. This is about your voice. Your words. Your real English.
In today’s episode, we slow down and look closely at language hidden inside music, the kind of language that seems simple at first, but actually carries layers of meaning. Let’s break down 5 lines from “End of Beginning” by Djo.
One. Just one more tear to cry.
Let’s start with tear, because this is a word that can easily confuse learners. In English, tear has two completely different meanings, and what’s interesting is that it is also pronounced in two different ways.
First meaning. Tear as a noun, pronounced /tɪə/ or /tɪr/. This is the meaning from the song line. A tear is the small drop of liquid that comes out of your eye when you cry, when you are sad, moved, tired, or even very happy. Examples:
A tear rolled down her cheek when she heard the news.
He wiped away his tears and tried to smile.
After the film, there were tears in her eyes.
Second meaning. Tear as a verb, pronounced the same way /tɪə/ or /tɪr/. This verb means to produce tears, to cry. Usually it’s used in a phrasal verb: to tear up.
Examples:
She began to tear up when she talked about her childhood.
The sad story made him tear up.
I always tear up when I watch that scene.
Now a completely different word.
Third meaning. Tear as a verb, pronounced /teə/ or /ter/. This tear means to pull something apart, often quickly, roughly, or violently. To damage something by pulling it into pieces or making a hole in it.
Examples:
He tore the paper in half. So the past tense of ‘tear’ is ‘tore’ and the third form is ‘torn’.
Look! I have torn my jacket on a nail.
The dog tore the toy to pieces.
Fourth meaning. Tear as a noun, also pronounced /teə/ or /ter/. This is the result of tearing. It means a hole or a rip in fabric, paper, or another material. Example:
There is a tear in my jeans.
She noticed a small tear in the book cover.
Two. When things aren’t black and white.
The phrase black and white is pronounced /blæk ən waɪt/. In everyday English, it is very often used in a figurative meaning, not a literal one. When something is black and white, it is clear, simple, and easy to judge. There are no doubts, no grey areas, no complicated emotions or situations. Something is being clearly defined as right or wrong, good or bad. Examples:
The rules are black and white, everyone knows what to do.
For a child, the world often seems black and white.
The law is not always black and white.
We often use this phrase when we talk about moral decisions, relationships, or life problems. Adult life is rarely black and white. Things are usually more complicated.
There is also a literal meaning. Black and white can simply describe colours, especially photographs or films. Examples:
I love old black and white movies.
The photo was printed in black and white.
Three. And when I’m back in Chicago.
This line is a great example of a very common mistake made by Polish learners. In English, back is not a verb. Back is mainly an adverb. It describes direction or position. It tells us where, not what action is happening.
Because of that, you cannot say I back to Chicago. I back home. You must always use a verb with back. Listen:
To be back.
I am back in Chicago now.
She was happy to be back home.
To go back.
We are going back to Chicago tomorrow.
He went back to his hometown after university.
To get back.
I got back late last night.
Call me when you get back.
To come back.
She came back after two years abroad.
When will you come back?
To arrive back.
They arrived back in the city at midnight.
So remember this rule. Back cannot work alone because it does not show action. It only shows direction. The verb is the engine of the sentence. Back just tells us where that engine is going.
Four. I wave goodbye to the end of beginning.
The verb wave has several meanings, all connected with movement.
First meaning. To wave your hand, arm, or body. It means to move your hand or arm from side to side, usually to say hello or goodbye, or to get someone’s attention. Examples
She waved goodbye as the train left.
He waved at his friends across the street.
The teacher waved for the students to come closer.
Second meaning. A wave as a physical movement, especially in water, air, sound, or light.
A wave of light.
A wave of sound.
Third meaning. As a verb, wave can describe something moving in a smooth, flowing way. Examples:
The grass waved in the wind.
Flags waved above the crowd.
Her long hair waved.
Third meaning. Waves at sea. Examples:
Huge waves crashed against the rocks.
The waves were calm in the morning.
Fourth meaning. A wave of something. This is a very common abstract use. It means a sudden increase or spread of activity, emotion, or events. Examples:
A wave of protests spread across the country.
The city experienced a wave of violence.
A wave of excitement passed through the crowd.
You can also use repetition for emphasis
Wave after wave of aircraft passed overhead.
There is also the Mexican wave, a cultural reference from sports events. People in a stadium stand up and raise their arms one after another, creating the effect of a moving wave.
One common idiom is to make waves. It means to cause trouble or attract attention by doing something different or unexpected. Example:
He didn’t want to make waves at his new job, so he stayed quiet at first.
Five. A major sacrifice.
The word sacrifice has two main meanings in English.
First meaning. Sacrifice as a noun. It means giving up something important, valuable, or enjoyable in order to achieve something else that is more important. Examples
Working weekends was a major sacrifice for her career.
Parents often make sacrifices for their children.
Moving abroad meant a big sacrifice, but it was worth it.
Second meaning. Sacrifice as a religious act. Offering something to a god, especially an animal, in a special and serious way. This meaning is less common in everyday conversations but very important culturally and historically. Examples:
In ancient times, people offered animals as a sacrifice to the gods.
The ritual involved a sacred sacrifice.
Now the verb ‘to sacrifice’.
As a verb, sacrifice means to give up something valuable or important for a purpose. Examples
He sacrificed his free time to study for the exam.
They sacrificed comfort for adventure.
She sacrificed her career to care for her family.
Time to practice! Listen and repeat out loud:
She began to tear up when she talked about her childhood.
Look! I have torn my jacket on a nail.
The law is not always black and white.
She was happy to be back home.
I got back late last night.
She came back after two years abroad.
She waved goodbye as the train left.
He didn’t want to make waves at his new job.
Moving abroad meant a big sacrifice, but it was worth it.
They sacrificed comfort for adventure.
That’s all from me now. Don’t forget to head to teacherola.com/322 and grab your free worksheet. It’ll help you repeat the key phrases from this lesson.Join my Voice Loop program, new groups are being formed. Go to teacherola.com/grupy and sign up! Teacherola.com/grupy. Thank you so much for listening. Stay fearless, take care, and say it out loud! I’m your teacher, Teacher Ola, and you’ve been listening to Teacher Ola Podcast. Bye for now!