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[00:07.40]And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

[00:19.80]Dust is very small pieces of earth or other matter.

[00:25.08]It is so fine it floats in the air. And it gets everywhere.

[00:32.56]Inside, it covers our floors, our belongings, and other surfaces.

[00:39.76]Outside, it covers things as well.

[00:42.48]And a small wind can blow dust into our eyes and mouth.

[00:49.00]When we drive a car on dry ground,

[00:51.72]it can create a dust cloud.

[00:55.76]And when we run in a foot race, we can kick up a lot of dust, too.

[01:03.00]That is why we have the expression eat my dust.

[01:08.24]It means you are ahead of someone.

[01:11.76]They are behind you and must deal with the dust you have made.

[01:18.40]Sometimes, we also say watch my dust.

[01:23.04]This means you are so sure of winning

[01:26.28]that you are telling others they will lose.

[01:30.68]We often use these expressions to talk about a race or a competition.

[01:37.68]Using the same reasoning, if you leave someone in the dust,

[01:42.56]you have left them far behind.

[01:45.16]Again, you have won some kind of competition

[01:49.68]and you have won big!

[01:53.68]However, if something bites the dust, it has failed.

[01:59.68]To bite the dust can mean suffering defeat.

[02:03.76]It can also mean something comes to an early end

[02:08.20]or is no longer useful.

[02:12.28]For example, if my old car dies on a long road trip,

[02:17.12]I can say my car bit the dust.

[02:21.40]In the past ten years,

[02:23.28]many technologies have bitten the dust.

[02:28.20]Sometimes, this expression means death in battle.

[02:32.60]But used this way, bite the dust

[02:35.92]is very informal and not respectful.

[02:41.20]Our last "dust" expression is when the dust settles.

[02:47.16]In a dust storm, it is very difficult to see.

[02:51.60]When the dust settles, you can finally see clearly.

[02:57.40]So, we use this expression to talk about the calm and clarity

[03:03.28]that comes after a big change or time of confusion.

[03:09.36]We often use it as advice or a warning.

[03:15.32]It is often a good idea to wait for a situation to calm down

[03:20.48]before making a big decision.

[03:24.80]For example, let's say you are moving to a new city

[03:29.24]and changing jobs.

[03:31.36]You will be very busy.

[03:33.80]So, you can tell your friends

[03:36.56]that you will contact them when the dust settles.

[03:41.28]In other words, you will contact them

[03:44.24]when things calm down.

[03:47.20]And that's Words and Their Stories.

[03:49.84]Have fun using these "dust" expressions!

[03:54.68]Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.

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Words in This Story

informal – adj.suited for use between friends and family but not perhaps professional relationships

clarity – n.the quality of being easily seen or heard