The big bang theory

TV Show English Lesson

Big Bang Theory

Learn English through sitcom scenes.

The Big Bang Theory - The Flash Costumes

Four geeky scientists—Leonard, Sheldon, Wolowitz, and Raj—are getting ready to attend a Halloween party. Without coordinating their outfits beforehand, they head out of their rooms ready to show off their gear, only to realize they've run into a serious wardrobe malfunction.

Sheldon: A brilliant but rigid theoretical physicist who considers himself the true leader of the group.

Leonard: Sheldon's roommate and fellow physicist who tries to find practical compromises for the group.

Raj: An astrophysicist who suggests a funny alternative layout to make their matching outfits work.

Howard: An aerospace engineer who immediately tries to claim a popular replacement outfit choice.

• Leonard: I'll get it.
  
  Howard: Oh no...
  
  Raj: Oh no...
  
  Sheldon: Make way for the fastest man alive! Oh no...
  
  Leonard: See? This is why I wanted to have a costume meeting.
  
  Raj: We all have other costumes, we can change. Or we could walk right behind each other all night. It'll look like one person going really fast!
  
  Sheldon: No, no, no. It's a boy-girl party. This Flash runs solo.
  
  Leonard: Okay, how about this? Nobody gets to be the Flash. We all change. Agreed?
  
  Group: Agreed.
  
  Howard: I call Frodo!
  
  Sheldon: Damn!

Listen to the scene and fill in the missing words correctly.

Leonard: We’re watching football. There’s no flu, you know. What is this “sack” statistic they put up there? All I know about Saks is my mother there.

Sheldon: “Sacks.” It’s football for when a quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage.

Leonard: Huh.

Sheldon: The line of scrimmage is the imaginary line separating the offense from the defense.

Penny: Oh, Sheldon knows football apparently. I mean, Quidditch sure, but football? Sheldon, how do you this stuff?

Sheldon: I grew up in Texas. Football is in Texas. Pro football, college football, high school football, Pee-Wee football.

• Costume : A set of clothes worn by an actor or performer for a particular role, or by someone dressing up for a party.


• Solo : Done by one person alone, without any companions or partners.


• Wardrobe : A person's entire collection of clothes, or a large cabinet used for storing them.


• Coordinating : Bringing the different elements of a complex activity or organization into a harmonious or efficient relationship.

Useful Phrases

Make way for : To clear a path or space so that someone or something can pass through easily.
Example : Please step aside and make way for the emergency medical team.

Run solo : To perform an activity, job, or project completely on your own without any assistance.
Example : After working with a partner for three years, she decided to run solo.

I call [something] : An informal expression used to claim the right to have, use, or do something before anyone else can.
Example : I call shotgun! I'm sitting in the front passenger seat.

What problem do the characters face when they meet in the living room?

What solution does Raj suggest for their matching outfits?

• Have you ever accidentally worn the same outfit as a friend to an event? What did you do?
• Why do you think group coordination is so critical for events like themed parties or presentations?
• What pop culture character would you choose to dress up as for a costume party, and why?