Expression

Approx. time

Explanation

auditions

1:38

where performers (singers, musicians, actors, etc.) perform in front of talent judges who will select them or send them home

Showville USA

2:12

http://www.amctv.com/showville/videos/maciejs-performance-from-episode-101-showville

forced on us

3:48

We had to do this even though we didn’t want to.

under ground

4:20

hidden from view, secret

nursing home

5:15

This is a residential center for people who need living assistance, either due to old age or perhaps to injury or stroke

got your start

5:19

began, took your first step, was introduced

take for granted

6:40

relax, don’t work hard, and assume everything will be easy

a tough crowd

6:56

a difficult group to perform in front of, skeptical people

It’s not about…

7:38

The essence or the main point is not…

blown away

8:02

means shocked, amazed, totally impressed (related to an explosion—which blows a building away)

uneasy

9:40

uncomfortable, uncertain, a little afraid

put her at ease

11:08

make her feel comfortable

by all means

11:30

absolutely, without a doubt, most surely

lifeline

12:31

main connection, vital support

grounded to

12:34

well connected to, tied together

behind the Iron Curtain

14:18

the national boundaries that the Soviet Union enforced to keep Eastern Europe (Warsaw Pact countries) separate from Western Europe (NATO countries) from 1945-1991

deejay (D.J.)

14:50

someone who plays recorded music for an audience (originally a “disc jockey”—someone who spun vinyl discs on a record player)

Holland Street Performers Series

16:02

http://www.cityofholland.com/downtownservices/street-performer-series-1

were wowed by this

17:16

were impressed by this, became excited enough to say “wow!”