Talking about first impressions
B1 · 40–50 min · Apex English
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression."— Will Rogers
Colloquial English — real, unscripted voices
Colloquial English takes a break from the textbook. Three people talk honestly about first impressions — how they judge someone in the first thirty seconds, and how often they get it wrong.
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How trustworthy is YOUR first impression?
Answer yes / no / it depends. Compare with a partner.
- I usually know in 30 seconds if I'll like someone.
- People I dislike at first often become good friends.
- A firm handshake matters.
- Clothes tell you a lot about a person.
- I trust my gut more than my head.
- First impressions are usually right.
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Three people, three first-meeting stories
Show transcript
Speaker 1 (A, Brazilian, 20s): The very first day at university, I walked into the kitchen in halls and there was this guy making pasta. We started chatting about the terrible cooker, and honestly? We hit it off straight away. Six years later he's my best friend. Sometimes you just click, you know?
Speaker 2 (B, British, 30s): There was a woman at work — my first week — she seemed cold, a bit arrogant. She barely said hello. First impression: not my kind of person at all. Then we got stuck on the same project. Turns out she's incredibly funny once she relaxes, and so generous. She really grew on me. Now she's one of my closest friends at the office. First impressions can be deceiving — genuinely.
Speaker 3 (C, Spanish, 40s): Sometimes I meet someone and something just… rubs me the wrong way. I can't put my finger on it. Nothing they've said or done — just a feeling. What I try to do now is give them time. Nine times out of ten I was wrong. But that first flash — I still trust it a little.
A. Listen for gist
- Which speaker changed their mind about someone?
- Which speaker met a friend for life?
- Which speaker still can't explain their reaction?
B. Listen for detail
- Speaker 1: WHERE did they meet?
- Speaker 2: what was her first impression of her workmate?
- Speaker 2: what changed her mind?
- Speaker 3: what does he do when he 'can't put his finger on it'?
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First-impression idioms
Tap 'Show answer' to reveal the meaning.
- we hit it off (straight away)
- we clicked
- he comes across as (shy / rude)
- she rubs me the wrong way
- she grew on me
- he's my kind of person
- I couldn't put my finger on it
- first impressions can be deceiving
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'Tell me about someone you got wrong'
In pairs. Student A asks. Student B tells the story of ONE person their first impression of was wrong. Use at least 4 idioms from Section 3.
- Where did you first meet them?
- What was your first impression?
- What changed your mind?
- How would you describe them now?
- Use 'came across as…'
- Use 'rubbed me the wrong way' OR 'not my kind of person'
- Use 'grew on me' OR 'we clicked'
- End with 'first impressions can be deceiving'
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A short 'people I've misread' paragraph (60–80 words)
Write about ONE person your first impression of was wrong. Use at least THREE idioms from Section 3.
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First-impressions idioms — quick game
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End-of-lesson quiz · First impressions
5 questions · 70% to pass · instant feedback after you submit.
Q1.'We hit it off straight away' means we…
Q2.'He comes across as arrogant.' This is about…
Q3.'She grew on me.' Means…
Q4.'That guy rubs me the wrong way.' The speaker…
Q5.Most natural first-meeting comment to a friend:
0/5 answered