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Go Out On a Limb
Go Out On a Limb English, baby! Video Lesson

Learn English with this courage English lesson

Date: Jul 22 2014

Themes: Friend, Soap Opera, Work

Grammar: Imperative Form

Intro

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When is the last time you climbed a tree? When you were a little kid, or more recently? As children, we do a lot of things that seem dangerous or risky to our parents, but not to us. We jump from high places, ride our bikes super fast, or climb along the limbs of trees. We don’t think we’re going to fall and break an arm, but our parents know better. They teach us not to go out on a limb.

If a person tells you that you’re going out on a limb, they’re warning you that you’re going to do or say something dangerous or unpopular. It’s also used in a more casual way, meaning that a person is making a guess about something that might seem a little crazy. In both situations, no one is actually talking about the limbs of a tree. But hearing the expression might remind you of those brave little girls and boys playing above you.

Rafael is going to go out on a limb and say something to Jeff. What could he be talking about? Find out in today’s English lesson about courage.

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Dialog

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Rafael

Rafael

Jeff

Jeff

Rafael:  You’ve seemed preoccupied since we got back from LA.

Jeff:  I do?

Rafael:  Yeah. I might be going out on a limb here, but something’s up. Am I right?

Jeff:  Well, I’ve just been feeling dissatisfied with life lately, especially with work.

Rafael:  I thought you like your job.

Jeff:  I do. And I really like working with Lily and Marni. It’s just not challenging anymore. I feel like I’ve reached a plateau.

Rafael:  Maybe you feel like everything is getting kind of static. I definitely know how that feels. That’s frustrating.

Jeff:  The thing is there are really no other positions for me to move on or up to, so if I continue not to like it, I’m going to have to move on. You know?

Rafael:  Well, you don’t have to decide right this minute. Have you thought of going back to school, maybe?

Jeff:  Here and there.

Rafael:  What kind of classes would you take?

Jeff:  I’ve dabbled in photography for years. I’d really love to take a course with a professional instructor.

Rafael:  I’ve actually seen some of your photos, and they’re really, really good.

Jeff:  Really?

Rafael:  Yeah.

Jeff:  Cool. Thanks.

Rafael:  You know what? I think you should talk to Marni. If you took a class while you were working, as long as you got everything done, I don’t think she’d mind.

Jeff:  Really?

Rafael:  Yeah.

Jeff:  You know, that’s a good idea.

Rafael:  I think it’s time to go out on a limb and ask her. Set up a meeting with her and let her know you’re serious.

Jeff:  You know what? I’m going to do that. Thank you so much. That’s brilliant, Rafael. Brilliant.

Rafael:  I know how important it is to do what makes you happy. That’s why I’m doing the yoga class.

Jeff:  So true. It is. Thank you.

 

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Rafael knows his friend Jeff pretty well. He can tell that Jeff is unhappy and has been unable to stop thinking about something. When he asks, Jeff tells Rafael that he’s dissatisfied with his job. He knows that there are no more positions at the company, but he doesn’t want to leave, either. Jeff’s life feels static right now.

Rafael wants to help Jeff feel better. He suggests that Jeff go back to school, and Jeff admits that he has always wanted to take a photography class. Rafael encourages Jeff to go out on a limb and ask Marni if he can take a class and work at the same time. In minutes, Jeff looks and sounds like a guy with a plan.

Are you willing to go out on a limb to get what you want? What happened the last time you did?

 

Comments

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sara1998

sara1998

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I believe that in every one’s life there are several situations in which you must take a risk and go out on a limb and the life is exciting only bcz of these unexpected situations.Even if you don’t make a good decision,after a while it may become a funny memory.  ;)

04:53 PM Apr 18 2015 |

emma_cookie

China

I dont usually go out on a limb. I quit when I dont have much confident.

09:57 AM Jul 28 2014 |

chino05

Peru

the last year, i was studying an arquitech program, because i like to design houses. enjoyed this courses, but now i dont remenber nothing, cause didnt have enougth time to practice it.  however i was going to go out on a limb and decided study that virtual program.

10:18 PM Jul 22 2014 |

forugh

forugh

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I’m far too timid to go out on a limb and that’s why i always feel static.sometimes you have to take a risk to improve.

08:11 PM Jul 22 2014 |

bravevivian

Ecuador

I think I have taken many risks in my life.  Sometimes the result was good.


I’ve learned you should find a balance as in everything.  I analyze the situation and follow my heart too.  Once I make my decision I run for what I want and I’m willing to go out on a limb, that way I avoid regrets :D

04:31 PM Jul 22 2014 |

Mohanbisht

Mohanbisht

India

Go out on a limb, always seems pritty difficult to take such decisions, for that you always need to follow your dreams. Sometimes i also feel to go out on a limb but always i feel fear when i think about the negative aspects. Yeah i know that we can’t get out dreams without risk. It is also true that I draw my step back when I think about my family and my duties towards my family.


    

03:57 PM Jul 22 2014 |

sara1234b

sara1234b

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Hi there !


I cant bear losing any opportunaties, i try my hardest not to waste any seconds of my day.


U know whether u like or not things is by nature static and frustrating, all u have to do is to have the nerve to face them and then help urslf go out on limb to experience new things, even the worst one. A lot of salutary lessons come out of taking risk.


that’s the way we live our lives .

11:53 AM Jul 22 2014 |

manu_wj

manu_wj

Italy

 JessieCA sometimes people feel the need to go out on a limb. When you have been going on doing the same life and you want to make a change you must try.


Obviously it’s my thought.


Someone taught me that it’s better you repent of the things done rather than those not  done

08:35 AM Jul 22 2014 |

JessieCA

JessieCA

Australia

I think i will… And i think i did before…


In my view, what matters is not “are you willing to go out on a limb”, the point is “ARE YOU WILLING TO GET WHAT YOU WANT”????!!! That is important! If you want something, go for it! If you want it bad enough, you dont even care if you r willing to go out on a limb or not!! 


Dream it, Do it! That simple!


:)

08:26 AM Jul 22 2014 |

kimnga

kimnga

Viet Nam

Frankly speaking that I have never gone on a limp so far because I don’t have enough courage to try something unsure; and what if I failed and unable to go back to the original position.

07:42 AM Jul 22 2014 |

1 person likes this

arezouuuuuu

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

i think iam not enough brave for go out on a limb if i was i could refuse my major in the college so i decided to keep my situation normally but next year it supposed to do my paln ..


my opinion is that we cant go out the limb somewhere cos our age isnt stop or go back so we must do the best work and plan for ourselve

07:37 AM Jul 22 2014 |

1 person likes this

manu_wj

manu_wj

Italy

I think that “going out on a limb” is part of our life. Sometimes our life put us in front of choices that it’s hard to chose due to the risks and so on.


It has happened more time for me  to go out on a limb and I was happy to have done this.


Last year I had to take the decision to go abroad for work reasons with the family for some years. Now I can tell I was right on going out on a limb

07:33 AM Jul 22 2014 |

La Princesse de la vie

Egypt

I’ve always wanted to play piano and learn French. If I took this step, I’d be definitely going out on a limb, but I’m still not brave enough .. But I know that doing this will make me more satisfied and happy, so I think it might be the right time to think seriously about it..


Last time I went out on a limb was a month ago when I decided to work as a first experience, and it really felt something different instead of the usual boring things I used to do during my day..


I think that going out on a limb always makes you feel better :)

04:49 AM Jul 22 2014 |

S&W

S&W

China

I had the same questions with Eric,Are they in chinatown?


Beside this i also eager to know What season right now in U.S.A?I saw people wear boots in summer and wear shots in winter which made me confused.

04:01 AM Jul 22 2014 |

1 person likes this

Eric_

Eric_

China

I see “中華會館” in the background…:D Are they in Chinatown? 

03:01 AM Jul 22 2014 |

2 people like this

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