Are you a fan of Stranger Things? 👀
Whether you’re here for the monsters, the mystery, or the iconic friendships, this show is filled with natural, conversational English that learners can study and use in real life.
In today’s lesson, we’re breaking down some hilarious and awkward scenes featuring Dustin, Erica, and the rest of the gang. You’ll not only understand the vocabulary—they’ll stick because they come from real dialogue, real emotion, and REAL English.
Let’s dive into Learn English with Stranger Things!
🎬 Scene 1: Dustin Can’t Tell a Lie
The scene starts with some intense questioning — and Dustin is not prepared to lie convincingly.
🔑 Key Expression: “What exactly were you doing?”
The word “exactly” makes a question stronger or more specific. It’s often used when someone is confused, suspicious, or wants the truth.
Examples:
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“What exactly were you thinking?”
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“What exactly happened here?”
Tone matters. Using “exactly” in a question is like saying, “Be honest with me.”
🔗 Natural Speech: “We’re gonna take a little swim.”
Dustin tries to explain their “night swim,” but he speaks so fast that “We were going to” becomes:
➡️ “We’re gonna take a little swim.”
Native speakers blend words constantly:
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“going to” → gonna
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“want to” → wanna
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“got to” → gotta
If you want to sound natural, start practicing these reductions.
And notice Dustin’s voice getting higher and squeakier — a classic sign of nervousness. Even without understanding his words, the tone already tells you he’s lying.
🔍 Vocabulary Spotlight
murdered — killed intentionally
realize — to suddenly understand something
Examples:
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“I didn’t realize you’d be here.”
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“He realized she liked him when she brought him a cupcake.”
These words appear often in English conversations, not just in intense TV scenes.
🎬 Scene 2: “The Whole Couch Is on Fire”
This section is full of natural slang and dramatic reactions — perfect for English learners.
🔑 “Have you had any contact with Eddie?”
Contact = any kind of communication:
📞 calling
💬 texting
📩 emailing
👋 talking in person
So the question means: Have you talked to Eddie in any way?
🤣 Slang Breakdown
“God, no!”
A dramatic, humorous way to say “Absolutely not!”
“a bunch of bull”
Very informal slang meaning: “That’s not true.”
⚠ Use carefully — it’s not polite in professional settings.
Polite alternatives:
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“That’s not true.”
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“That doesn’t sound right.”
🔥 Idioms & Cultural References
“The whole couch is on fire.”
A funny twist on the childhood phrase:
➡️ “Liar, liar, pants on fire.”
Meaning: Everyone on that couch is lying.
“Just the facts.”
A casual way of saying:
➡️ “I’m only telling the truth.”
“Loosen their lips.”
Means: Make someone talk or tell the truth.
Example: “A few drinks might loosen his lips.”
🎬 Scene 3: Erica Sinclair’s Special Mission
Erica brings some of the funniest lines—and the most useful vocabulary.
🔑 “Half-baked plan”
A half-baked plan is a plan that’s not fully thought out.
It usually signals skepticism or impatience.
Examples:
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“That’s a half-baked idea.”
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“Don’t give me half-baked excuses.”
🔑 “Child endangerment”
A legal term that means putting a child in a dangerous situation.
Formal use:
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“Leaving kids alone in a car is child endangerment.”
Hyperbolic / playful use:
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“Taking them on that crazy roller coaster? Child endangerment!”
Erica uses it to criticize the group’s dangerous idea — but in a dramatic and humorous way.
🔑 “Spend the night”
Means staying overnight somewhere.
Examples:
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“I’m spending the night at my friend’s house.”
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“Can I spend the night?”
🔑 “Cover for someone”
Means to lie or make excuses for someone.
Examples:
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“My friend covered for me when I was late.”
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“He covered for me at work.”
🔑 “Hunt you down”
Can be playful or serious depending on tone.
Literal meaning: search until you find someone.
Playful:
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“If you touch my fries, I’ll hunt you down.”
Serious:
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“The police will hunt down the criminals.”
Erica uses it jokingly to warn the boys.
🧠 What You Learned Today
By studying Stranger Things, you learned how to:
✔ Understand natural everyday English
✔ Hear emotion and tone (like nervousness!)
✔ Use idioms and slang correctly
✔ Recognize blended speech like “gonna,” “wanna,” and “gotta”
✔ Understand when expressions are polite or informal
Real English isn’t found in textbooks — it’s found in conversations, tone, and context. That’s why learning with TV shows is one of the best ways to improve.
📥 Get the Free Workbook
Don’t forget to download your Free Workbook that goes with this lesson!
It includes:
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Fill-in-the-blank exercises
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Vocabulary practice
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Pronunciation guides
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Listening tasks
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Reflection questions
Perfect for self-study or classroom use.
