look after
phrasal verbto take care of someone or something; to be responsible for their wellbeing
"We have been looking after two cats and a very old spaniel this week."
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04
Vocabulary Notes
House Sitting, Pets and Everyday English
The vocabulary of British homes, animals and the quiet rhythm of looking after someone else's life.
Approx. 33 minListen to this episode
Key Vocabulary
Key Vocabulary
make yourself at home
phrasean invitation to feel comfortable and relaxed in someone else's space
"She showed us around and said, 'Make yourself at home — the kettle is on the left.'"
have a nose around
phrase (informal)to look around a place out of curiosity — used affectionately, not critically
"We arrived early and had a little nose around the garden before she left."
pottering
verb (gerund)/ˈpɒtərɪŋ/
doing small, gentle domestic tasks in a relaxed, unhurried way
"I spent the morning just pottering about — a bit of tidying, watering the plants."
come and go
phraseto arrive and leave freely — describes easy, casual movement in a space
"The cat was free to come and go through the little flap in the back door."
settles in
phrasal verbto become comfortable and familiar with a new environment
"The dog took about a day to settle in and decide the sofa was his."
Transcript Excerpt
Transcript Excerpt
An excerpt from the episode.
Mr Love
“The thing about house sitting is that you step into someone's whole life.”
Mrs Love
“Their routines. Their animals' routines. The way the boiler makes a sound at six in the morning.”
Mr Love
“And you learn the vocabulary of that specific house incredibly fast. Because you have to.”
Mrs Love
“Like which bin is which. When the recycling goes out. What "George likes his dinner at five" actually means in practice.”
Mr Love
“George being a cocker spaniel, to be clear. Not a housemate.”
Mrs Love
“Ha. Although honestly, after a week, it starts to feel the same. You're just pottering about, looking after George, making tea.”
Pronunciation Notes
Pronunciation Notes
-
01
"Pottering" uses the flapped or softened /t/ in some British accents — in RP it is a clear /t/, but in many regional accents "pottering" sounds almost like "poddering".
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02
"Routine" is stressed on the second syllable: rou-TINE /ruːˈtiːn/. Many learners stress the first syllable — this is a common error to correct.
-
03
The /l/ in "cocker spaniel" — "spaniel" ends with a dark /l/ sound: /ˈspæniəl/. The /l/ at the end of a syllable sounds different from the /l/ at the start — it is "darker" and made further back in the mouth.
Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions
01
Mr Love says "you step into someone's whole life" when house sitting. What responsibilities and sensitivities do you think this involves?
02
Why do you think British people talk about their pets so much? What does this reveal about British culture and values?
03
"Pottering" suggests a gentle, unhurried way of being at home. Is there a word in your language for this kind of quiet domestic activity?
04
What is the difference between "looking after" someone and "caring for" someone? Are these always interchangeable?
Listening Task
Listening Task
Listen for all the verbs Mr and Mrs Love use when talking about domestic life (cleaning, cooking, feeding, walking, etc.). After listening, try to write three sentences using those verbs to describe your own morning routine.