# 218 - Expression: To Keep Someone On Their Toes

An episode of [American English Podcast](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1456966267), 13 Aug 2026, 21 min.

Audio: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pscrb.fm/rss/p/tracking.swap.fm/track/6QahRootMdOb3pXfTBaA/mgln.ai/e/1468/traffic.megaphone.fm/IMP7753805095.mp3

The other day, I was staring at my list of common Irregular Verbs, trying to think of a lesson I could create with 10 of them. Immediately, I saw some potential! Swing -> Swung, Broadcast -> Broadcast, Sleep -> Slept. Somehow the clump of words I selected led me to one of the most bizarre stories I’ve ever heard about U.S. culture and history: Dance Marathons of the 1930s and 1940s. Imagine people dancing for days on end, even sleeping while dancing, for the chance to win some cash. It’s a crazy story, and from the discovery of this event, this two-part episode was born. Don’t miss part 2! It’s coming next week. In part one, you’ll learn how to use the common expression “to keep someone on their toes,” you’ll hear a joke, and you’ll work on your American English pronunciation! Enjoy. :) ⭐ Start improving your English today! Learn more about the Academy. ⭐ Take part in our Free 14-Day English Slang and Expression Challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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