to get it off (one's) chest

Welcome to English as a Second Language Podcast number 89: A Good Listener.

This is English as a Second Language Podcast episode 89. I’m Dr. Jeff McQuillan, your host, from the Center for Educational Development in beautiful Los Angeles, California.

On this podcast, we’re going to talk about ways of listening politely to someone else. We’ll listen to a conversation. Here we go!

Woman: Hi. Long time no see. How have you been?

Man: Oh, I've been fine, but I'm having some trouble with my son.

Woman: Tell me all about it.

Man: Oh, he's 14 and in the past few months, he's become quieter and a bit secretive. He locks himself in his room and I think he’s running around with the wrong crowd.

Woman: Oh, I see. What makes you think that?

Man: Well, he's become friends with a couple of older boys who are in a band and one night last weekend, he came home really late, way past his curfew.

Woman: Really? What happened?

Man: He told me that his friend's car broke down and they had to walk home.

Woman: I see what you mean. I understand why you're concerned. Have you tried talking to your son about it?