Learn English the MMA way!

This lesson is all about English expressions that come from mixed martial arts and combat sports! But don’t assume all of the expressions I will teach you have to do with actual fighting. Rather, we use these expressions in everyday conversation when we talk about competition, challenges, and arguments. For example, when we say throw your hat in the ring, we are not talking about a boxing ring, but someone entering a competition or challenge. When we say take it on the chin, we are not talking about punches. It means to accept defeat without complaining. So as you can see, although some expressions come from the world of combat sports, they are commonly used in non-violent situations. Some other expressions we will look at include: spoiling for a fight, the gloves are off, fight tooth and nail, uphill battle, throw in the towel, win hands down, and more. So before you tap out, click the lesson, and do the quiz to test yourself.

Excellent class, James.
I got 100%!!! But, it wasn’t a win hands down. :)
Thank you!!

rosemarie

This was useful but I didn’t understand anything because it was funny

Bedoasas

HAHA STOP IT BEDO (MY BROTHER)

Mist Skyler

In my country (Slovenia) we have one similar saying to “Throw in the towel.” We say: “Throw rifle in the corn.” which means to give up, because there there is no point in continuing fighting. The saying comes from second world war when German army was multiple times more powerful then our army and fighting such a power would be unreasonable, because all of the solders would be dead. So “trowing rifle in the corn” and showing “I don’t have a weapon, so don’t kill me” is the most reasonable action, to not be smashed by superior power.

It can be used also in the other way around. Don’t “trow rifle in the corn” which means I still see the light, there is still some solution to solve the problem, don’t give up yet, it is too soon.

rokaly

I love this!

engVid Moderator

I Loved this useful video. Keep up with your great job. thank you so much!

VICENTE-26

I got 8/10, i wrong at number 6 and 8, the lesson is quite long and uphill lesson, it’s difficult concentrate constantly total in 30 minutes. Anyway thank James so much

nguyen van long

In Spanish instead of winning hands down, we use the expression winning with eyes closed

danigonz7

I got 9 out of 10

Deadpoolforce29

Thank you James, It’s difficult for me, but I couldn’t throw in the towel. I got all well after three times.

Terrysam

Thank you. I watch UFC championships sometimes: now I’m trained in ‘terminology’.
I believe that ‘go for a broke’ means ‘va banque’ in French. In a card game, it is a statement by a high-risk player that his bet is equal to the total amount of the bank account. Dostoevsky often bet ‘everything on the game card’. It’s a Russian expression.
On the other hand, it means that in life you are acting too bravely, risking everything, acting recklessly.

urs68

this is really good ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

EdilbertoLW

Hi,masterJames.Do you have text of active listening ?

Sunny David

Thanks.

Sunny David

Thanks.. thats a good video about words that i’ve never heard and now I know them. Greetings.

Toledo1211

Difficult and interesting lesson.

Afonso Heraldo Petta

What a lesson James!!! You’re really a fighter!!!

antoniorusso75

thank you so . you are a great one

ahmed kamel osman

I’ve got 9 correct out of 10. Quite interesting lesson Thank you.

Afonso Heraldo Petta

This is great. As a home-school parent I see so much potential in these videos as a visual for my lessons. Maybe, add some variety to the leadership. Thanks!

SogolonSakidi@23

Thank you so much James,so great lesson. I must say i was distracted by your acting,full of rich body languages more or less, although i got 10.I have also really benefited a lot from the bonus you have had for each lesson.Besides, it’s really a challenge for me… Your full high speed brain always runs fast, i believe that is why you speak very fast.It’ll be very helpful for my ears in the future.Thanks again.