Speak English Confidently with these 15 Lessons from the Film ‘The Intern’
Experience the world of Jules Ostin as she meets this remarkable 70-year-old intern.
Have you watched the film ‘The Devil Wears Prada’? You know by now that movies are a great resource for speaking English confidently.
Compiling the English lessons from the film ‘The Intern’ was a sweet ride for me.
You’ll agree that Anne Hathaway can be super committed and dedicated when she’s at work.
And when she plays Jules Ostin, the CEO of AbouttheFit, a fast-growing online fashion startup, she comes off as incredible but exhausted at the same time.
Let’s learn some of the idioms, idiomatic expressions, phrasal verbs, and slang that enriched the dialogue in this film.
Click here to listen to the full episode on the Mother isn’t Murder Podcast. You’ll listen to the clips where each expression was used.
15 English Lessons from The Intern to Help You Speak Confidently
The lessons include:
Lesson 1: Idiom – Time on my Hands
Ben, a 70-year-old widower, applies for a senior internship program at an online fashion brand.
In his video resume (instead of the typical cover letter), he uses the idiom “time on my hands” to explain that he’s been idle since he lost his wife.
So, this idiom means to be free or idle.
Lesson 2: Idiom – Come rain or shine
While recording his cover video, Ben explains that he’s at his Starbucks “come rain or shine.”
This idiom implies that no matter what happens, something else will happen. In other words, A remains A irrespective of the circumstances.
Lesson 3: Idiom – Make the trains run on time
Cameron surprises Jules when he tells her that their investors are planning to bring in a CEO.
He uses the idiom “make the trains run on time” to assure her that she can focus on other things like coming up with ideas for the brand while the new CEO ensures that things work smoothly and efficiently.
Lesson 4: Idiom – It ages you
Becky, Jules’ secretary, met Ben for the first time, and was amazed to have someone his age working as an intern.
When Ben asked about her age, she replied, “I’m 24. I know, I look older. It’s the job. It ages you.”
This idiom is useful for saying that you do something that stresses you and makes you look older than you actually are.
Lesson 5: Idiom – Give someone the drill
Ben walks into Jules’ office, and she tells him, “But Cameron gave me the drill.”
She says this to mean that she didn’t need to ask him what he was doing at her startup. Because she already knew, thanks to Cameron.
When you give someone the drill, you explain something to them so that they understand how it works.
Lesson 6: Idiom – Set in Motion
When you set something in motion, you get it started.
And Cameron used this idiom when he was explaining the idea of the new senior intern program to Jules, who was having a hard time understanding why.
Lesson 7: Idiom – Love Someone to Pieces
In his video, Ben explains that he doesn’t like to be dependent on his son’s family (in San Diego).
Even though he loves his grandkids to pieces, he would rather not depend on them for everything.
When you love someone to pieces, you love them very much. This idiom is a fun and playful way of expressing your love to someone.
Lesson 8: Idiom – You nailed it
When you say the idiom “you nailed it” to someone, you mean they did something perfectly.
The guy at the final stage of Ben’s interview, tells him, “You nailed it, Ben. Congrats! You’re an intern.”
Use this idiom when you want someone to know that they did an excellent job. It’s a great way to appreciate, admire, or celebrate others.
Lesson 9: Idiom – Did not see something coming
If you say you did not see something coming, you mean you didn’t expect something to happen.
This idiom expresses surprise or shock. And you can use it in both positive and negative contexts – to show that you were caught unawares.
What did Jules not see coming?
She didn’t expect that her brand’s investors would suggest that she needs a CEO to oversee things and “supervise her.”
Lesson 10: Idiom – Back in Action
Back in action is an idiom that means to resume work or an activity after a period of rest or inactivity.
As Ben prepared his outfit and briefcase to resume work the following day, he gladly said, “Back in action.”
This idiom is like the reverse of the idiom “time on my hands” which Ben used at the start of the film to describe his state of idleness (after his wife’s passing).
Use of Idiomatic Language in IELTS Speaking
You’re expected to use idiomatic language in the Speaking component of the IELTS test.
Using idioms, idiomatic expressions, and figurative language shows that you use English like a native or fluent speaker.
Here’s your secret recipe for speaking English confidently.
However, don’t master only idioms for this purpose. Learn all forms of language that aren’t necessarily literal.
Learn to speak English that sounds beautiful, rich, and colorful. You’ll sound natural and confident when you speak like this.
Lesson 11: Idiomatic Expression – Read in a Glance
Read in a glance is an idiomatic expression because it’s somewhat literal.
Unlike idioms that mean words with entirely new meanings, idiomatic expressions can be taken on the surface level.
Glance means to look at briefly.
Read means to consume information with your eyes.
So when you read in a glance, you grab information fast.
Jules uses this idiomatic expression with her design team.
“The page should read in a glance” means visitors using their brand website should be able to understand and get the gist of the website instantly.
Lesson 12: Idiomatic Expression – Keep busy
When you “keep busy,” you stay occupied during a specific time.
Jules tells Cameron, “I notice my intern sure keeps busy.”
Ben helps other people at work with their jobs when Jules doesn’t send him any emails, despite him being her personal intern.
Lesson 13: Phrasal Verb – Find the right fit
This phrasal verb implies that you want to choose the most appropriate option. It could be a person or thing.
Ben meets with one of the members of the Talent Acquisition team. And she says, “We wanna make sure they we both find the right fit.”
She uses this to assure him that the company is interested in making the interview process direct and rewarding. Not just business as usual.
Lesson 14: Phrasal Verb – Hang in There
When you tell someone, “Hang in there,” you mean that they should persist despite difficulties or anything that looks like a problem.
Davis, the guy who gave Ben and the other three interns the orientation, tells Ben to hang in there when Ben receives the email that says he’ll be Jules’ personal intern.
This phrasal verb gives the idea that Jules can be a difficult leader to work with.
Well, was she? Was she not?
Watch the film on Netflix to find out.
Now, to the final English lesson of the episode – slang.
Lesson 15: Slang – Super Cas
Super cas is the slang for “super casual,” an informal way of dressing.
Jules tells Ben when they meet in her office for the first time. “Also, don’t feel like you have to dress up. I mean, we’re super cas here.”
Ben prefers to dress formally in his nice-looking suit and tie. And he’s consistent throughout the movie, eventually influencing the younger guys at work.
Conclusion
Learning to speak English through films is fun and exciting. You get to enjoy spoken language in context while enjoying a good story in motion pictures.
If movies are your go-to for learning spoken English, you should see the film ‘The Intern’ on Netflix.
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Thank you for reading.
What was your favorite lesson from this film/post? Please share it with me in the comments.
See you in Episode 5.
Read the other blogs about Episodes 1, 2, and 3 to catch up on previous English lessons.
