Summary
Highlights
This is part 147 of the American Idiom series, presenting five new idioms from 731 to 735. The video provides a chance to guess the meanings before revealing the answers and offering additional examples.
To 'check out something' means to investigate, inspect, or look at something of interest. For example, if you like classic cars, you should 'check out' the car show. Another example is checking out a new restaurant.
To 'do an about face' means to completely reverse one's opinion or position on an issue. For instance, YouTube doing an about face on a censorship policy, or a mayor reversing a zoning policy under pressure.
To 'collect dust' means to be in a state of disuse for a prolonged period. This can be literal, like a bowling ball in a closet, or figurative, like a guitar not being played after an injury.
This idiom refers to something very different from something else. For example, competing in college wrestling is 'a whole different ball of wax' compared to high school wrestling, or ocean fishing compared to pond fishing.
An 'also ran' is someone who is unimportant or unsuccessful, often used in the context of competitions where a participant doesn't place well. Examples include a mayoral candidate who didn't win the primary, or actors who haven't won an Academy Award and are quickly forgotten.
The video concludes by thanking viewers for subscribing and encouraging them to like and share the video to support the channel. The speaker reminds viewers to keep practicing their English.