The English We Speak
Every week, we look at a different everyday English phrase or piece of slang in this fun three-minute programme. From BBC World Service
The English We Speak: Passing Ships
This phrase comes from a longer idiom, ‘like ships that pass at night’. It’s used when two people...
ListenThe English We Speak: Understood the assignment
This slang phrase is about knowing what you have to do for a task, and doing it perfectly. Hear examples...
ListenThe English We Speak: Onto something
Onto something suggests progress or a good idea. Maybe not a complete answer, but you're moving in the...
ListenThe English We Speak: Sell yourself short
When we sell ourselves short, we say negative things about ourselves. We undervalue or underestimate...
ListenThe English We Speak: Wrap it up
Sometimes you just want people to stop. That's one way to use 'wrap it up'. Learn how to use this expression...
ListenThe English We Speak: Throw ideas at the wall
Sometimes you want to come up with ideas without thinking too much. That's when you throw ideas at the...
ListenThe English We Speak: Like a moth to a flame
Moths are winged insects which are attracted to light sources. Learn the metaphorical use of this expression...
ListenThe English We Speak: Gatekeep
Gatekeep is a verb which means to withhold information. It can be used to talk about fandoms or products....
ListenThe English We Speak: In over my head
Do you almost feel like you're drowning in your tasks? Maybe you're in over your head. Learn when and...
ListenThe English We Speak: A hunch
Is it true or is it just a hunch? Learn when and how to use ‘a hunch’ in this programmeFor more...
ListenThe English We Speak: Take it as a given
There are some things that you can just assume to be true. This expression is for those. Learn how to...
ListenThe English We Speak: Think on your feet
Sometimes you need to think quickly, like for a job or to answer a question. Thinking on your feet means...
ListenThe English We Speak: Can't see the wood for the trees
This idiom is about focusing on the small details too much and losing sight of the bigger picture. Learn...
ListenThe English We Speak: Yap
"Stop yapping!" Learn a word to use when someone talks a lot with Feifei and Georgie. For more great...
ListenThe English We Speak: Flow State
When we enter a flow state, we feel fully focused. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and...
ListenThe English We Speak: Got you
If you've got someone, you support them.Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Becca.As always,...
ListenThe English We Speak: A bit of a stretch
Sometimes we say things that aren't 100% true. They're not complete lies, but they are a bit of a stretch....
ListenThe English We Speak: Kick the can down the road
Sometimes at work we need to kick the can down the road. Learn how to use this expression with Phil...
ListenThe English We Speak: Cut corners
If you want to do a task perfectly, it's usually not a good idea to cut corners. Learn about this expression...
ListenBeating Speaking Anxiety: 8. I’m scared I can’t be myself
It can be harder to express our personality in a foreign language because we have fewer language tools...
ListenThe English We Speak: Short-change
If you give someone less than they deserve, you short-change them. Learn the literal and metaphorical...
ListenBeating Speaking Anxiety: 7. I’m scared I’m not getting better
Sometimes it can feel like no matter how much you practise speaking, you don’t get any better.In this...
ListenThe English We Speak: Go through a rough patch
Life isn't always great, sometimes things can be difficult. Use 'go through a rough patch' when life...
ListenBeating Speaking Anxiety: 6. I’m scared I won’t get the joke
Have you ever been in a group of friends and everyone laughs, but you didn’t understand the joke?In...
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