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  • Hello and welcome to The English We Speak

  • with me, Feifei.

  • And me, Roy.

  • We may sound a little different.

  • That's because we are not able to

  • record in our normal studios during

  • the coronavirus outbreak.

  • Roy, have you heard about Rob?

  • No, what about Rob?

  • Well, you know that Rob's been wearing

  • a long sleeve t-shirt recently.

  • It's because the other night

  • he went out with some friends.

  • Well, he lost a dare and now

  • he's got a tattoo of panda

  • on a skateboard on his arm.

  • Feifei, he's probably really embarrassed about that.

  • You shouldn't gossip.

  • I am not!

  • But, you always love it when I spill the tea!

  • You spilt some tea? While recording!?

  • That's dangerous when we're surrounded

  • by laptops and microphones.

  • No Roy, 'spilling the tea' means 'to gossip'.

  • I'm going to spill the tea some

  • more right after these examples.

  • I shouldn't spill the tea, but have you

  • heard that Bob and Susan are dating?

  • Come on, spill the tea.

  • Tell me what you know about Derek!

  • I'll spill the tea. There's going to be a

  • huge party and no one has invited Peter.

  • This is The English We Speak

  • from BBC Learning English and

  • we're talking about the expression

  • 'spill the tea' which means to 'to gossip'.

  • So come on Feifei, spill the tea.

  • You know everything that happens in the office.

  • How did you know about Rob's tattoo?

  • I will never reveal my sources.

  • Well, OK. It was Neil.

  • I can't believe you told me that!

  • You gave up your source so easily.

  • Well you asked, so I told you!

  • I'm just really honest.

  • Well, Feifei. I have a surprise for you!

  • You know that Neil told you

  • that Rob has a new tattoo?

  • Yes.

  • Well Feifei, Rob hasn't really got a

  • 'panda on a skateboard' tattoo.

  • We created the story to see if you'd spill the tea!

  • Rob would never do something so silly!

  • That's not fair! Bye, Roy.

  • Bye.

  • Welcome to The English We Speak.

  • It's Feifei here with Rob.

  • Hi everyone.

  • So Rob, help yourself to a biscuit.

  • I know how much you love them, so I

  • bought some for us to share today.

  • Oh right. That's very kind, Feifei, but very odd.

  • You don't normally buy me things.

  • Are you feeling guilty?

  • Have you done something wrong?

  • Of course not! Wellsort of.

  • I hope you don't mind, but I used up all your coffee

  • when I made drinks for the team this morning.

  • What?! You used up all my coffee

  • and you didn't make me one?

  • That really takes the biscuit!

  • I haven't taken any biscuits, just your coffee.

  • No, Feifei! When I say someone really

  • takes the biscuit, I mean what you

  • have done is really surprising, annoying

  • or sometimes just silly.

  • Oh dear. You're not happy? Sorry, Rob.

  • Let's hear some examples while you calm down.

  • I can't believe she copied my work

  • And pretended it was her own.

  • Now that really takes the biscuit.

  • You're really taking the biscuit if you're

  • expecting me to take you to the match

  • and wait outside until it's finished!

  • Your plan to turn the spare bedroom into

  • a snooker room really takes the biscuit!

  • This is The English We Speak from

  • BBC Learning English and we're finding

  • out about the phrase 'to take', or 'to really

  • take the biscuit', which means we are

  • surprised or annoyed by someone's actions.

  • Oh Rob, I'll buy you some more coffee.

  • I hope so. By the way, we can say 'something'

  • as well as 'someone' takes the biscuit.

  • So, you take the biscuit by using up my coffee

  • but there is something that really takes the biscuit.

  • Oh yes? What's that?

  • These biscuits you bought are ginger nuts.

  • I hate ginger biscuits. Didn't you know?

  • Oh that really takes the biscuit!

  • OK, Rob. You are really taking this badly.

  • Pass them over here then and I'll eat them.

  • Oh crumbs, I've dropped them. Sorry!

  • It looks like I won't be taking any of my biscuits today!

  • Come on, Rob. I'll buy you a coffee.

  • Thanks. Bye.

  • Bye.

  • Hello! This is The English We Speak.

  • I'm Feifei.

  • And I'm Rob.

  • We may sound a little different.

  • That's because we are not able to

  • record in our normal studios

  • during the coronavirus outbreak.

  • This programme comes with a safety warning!

  • It involves bullets.

  • Well, not real ones. That would be dangerous.

  • Toy bullets ... just to illustrate the point.

  • Bullets! What English expression mentions bullets?!

  • I will explain and, Rob, you can help.

  • Here is a toy bullet.

  • Where did you get that from?!

  • Don't ask. Now, Rob, would you put

  • it between your teeth please?

  • What? Are you crazy?!

  • Please, Rob. It would really help our audience.

  • OK, Feifei! Here goes...

  • Right, I am biting the bullet.

  • So, Rob, you are being brave and forcing yourself

  • to do something unpleasant, but necessary.

  • I didn't force myself, you told me to do it!

  • Sorry, Rob, I can't understand you but when

  • someone 'bites the bullet', they are forced to,

  • or accept that they have to,

  • do something difficult or unpleasant.

  • Let's hear some examples of other people

  • who have to bite the bullet.

  • I have a pile of work to finish, so

  • I'm going to have to work all night.

  • I guess I'll have to bite the bullet.

  • If I'm going get fit, I'll have to bite the

  • bullet and start going to the gym. Urghh!

  • If you want to start dating Jitka you're going

  • to have to bite the bullet and ask her out!

  • This is The English We Speak from

  • BBC Learning English, and we're talking

  • about the expression 'to bite the bullet'.

  • It describes having to do something

  • unpleasant or difficult, but necessary.

  • So, can I stop biting a bullet now, please?

  • Not yet, Rob. What you are doing is 'necessary'.

  • Yes, but it's not easy speaking with

  • a bullet in your mouth.

  • Exactly! Peace and quiet. But careful, Rob.

  • Don't swallow it, otherwise things

  • could get very unpleasant.

  • Thanks for the advice, Feifei... ooops.

  • Bye, Rob.

  • Bye.

  • Hello and welcome to The English We Speak

  • with me, Feifei.

  • And me, Neil.

  • In this programme, we have an expression

  • you can use to describe someone who talks

  • confidently about a topic, but might not

  • actually know that much about it.

  • Which reminds me, Feifei.

  • Did I tell you that I've started a new evening course?

  • No. What's it in?

  • Well, see if you can guess.

  • Ahem. My lords, ladies and gentlemen.

  • It is indeed an immense honour and privilege

  • to stand here before you on this great

  • occasion and humbly offer my thoughts.

  • Er, Neil. What are you going on about?

  • Public speaking! It's my new course.

  • Right. Well, you can certainly talk the talk.

  • Oh good. That's the whole point.

  • Hmm. That's not really a compliment.

  • When we say someone can talk the talk,

  • it means they talk a lot about a subject,

  • but they might not really know

  • that much about it.

  • Even if they sound confident.

  • How dare you! Well, let's hear some

  • examples of this expression in action.

  • Oh no, not another meeting chaired by Binh.

  • He can certainly talk the talk but

  • he actually knows nothing!

  • OK, go in there, talk the talk, and get out

  • before they realise we don't have

  • a clue about marketing!

  • It's one thing talking the talk, but we need action.

  • We need someone who can walk the walk.

  • You're listening to The English We Speak

  • from BBC Learning English.

  • In this programme, we're looking at

  • the expression 'talk the talk'.

  • It refers to people who talk confidently

  • on a topic without necessarily

  • knowing much about it.

  • That's right, Feifei. You know,

  • you're really quite knowledgeable

  • about the English language, aren't you?

  • Thanks.

  • I mean, you don't just talk the talk.

  • You can walk the walk too.

  • Absolutely! As you heard in the earlier example,

  • and just then from Neil, the opposite

  • of 'talk the talk' is 'walk the walk'.

  • That refers to someone who shows their

  • abilities through action - not just talking.

  • Like you, Neil.

  • You know what? I think I'll give up that public

  • speaking course and join a hiking club -

  • to learn how to walk the walk.

  • Ha! Good idea.

  • Bye!

  • Hello and welcome to The English We Speak.

  • I'm Feifei but I'm not sure where Neil is.

  • Sorry I'm late.

  • It's going a bit crazy out there in the office.

  • Crazy?

  • Yes. Everybody is arguing and shouting.

  • About what exactly?

  • The mess in the office.

  • The boss says it's untidy and we

  • should clear up after ourselves.

  • He even said that my desk was like a pigsty!

  • Hmm, well you'd better stay in here and keep

  • out of the way until things have calmed down.

  • Good idea. I'll just let the dust to settle.

  • Oh, so the office is messy and dusty.

  • Is that what everyone's arguing about. The dust?

  • No Feifei, I just mean I'll wait for

  • the situation to calm down.

  • Got it!

  • So, you're just keeping out of the way.

  • Are you scared?

  • Of course not.

  • I just wanted to hear these examples.

  • We've had lots of complaints about the changes but

  • let's wait until the dust settles before we respond.

  • We're busy moving house at the moment

  • but I'll give you a call when the dust settles.

  • Now the dust has settled after the restructuring,

  • I think we can talk about recruitment.

  • This is The English We Speak from the BBC

  • and we're finding out about the phrase

  • 'let the dust settle', which means to

  • wait for a situation to calm down.

  • We can also say 'wait for the dust to settle',

  • which is what I'm doing right now.

  • Neil, I have a feeling you're just

  • avoiding the situation for one reason.

  • Oh yeah, what's that?

  • Look out there.

  • They're all pointing at your desk.

  • They're not arguing about a messy office.

  • They're complaining about your mess.

  • Really. Well I like to work in a messy environment.

  • Maybe, but I don't think the dust is

  • ever going to settle in this argument.

  • OK. But I think I'll stay in here for just a little longer.

  • Bye.

  • Hello, I'm Feifei, and this is The English We Speak.

  • I'm with Rob. Hi Rob, how are you?

  • Hi Feifei, I'm fine but I just can't understand

  • why you've brought me to a railway station.

  • Isn't that obvious?

  • No. And what's that piece of paper

  • you're waving in your hand?

  • Oh this? This is a ticket.

  • A ticket. Why would you bring me to

  • a railway station and show me a ticket?

  • It's cold and we could be in a warm

  • studio presenting this programme.

  • And anyway, don't you know it's my birthday and

  • we're supposed to be going out to celebrate later?

  • I know it's your birthday, you told me last

  • week and you said something about

  • wanting a present that was 'just the ticket'.

  • So here it is.

  • Oh Feifei! I didn't want a ticket.

  • When I said 'just the ticket' I meant I wanted

  • something that was exactly what I wanted or needed.

  • You know, a camera, a computer game or

  • maybe a nice bottle of whisky.

  • Oh right, I see.

  • Oh dear, what a wasted trip Feifei.

  • But now we're here, let's hear some more

  • examples of the phrase 'just the ticket'.

  • Oh I feel terrible: I've got a cold and my nose

  • is blocked but a drink of hot honey and lemon

  • would be just the ticket to make me feel better.

  • I think a new art gallery will be just the ticket

  • for improving the image of the town

  • and encouraging more people to visit.

  • Our car has got seven seatsso it's just the ticket

  • for taking all the kids to football practice every week.

  • So that's 'just the ticket', which describes

  • something that exactly what is wanted or needed.

  • OK Rob, so you wanted something for

  • your birthday that was 'just the ticket'.

  • Well, you're looking at it.

  • You Feifei?

  • No Rob. This ticket in my hand.

  • Have you actually looked at it?

  • OK let me see...

  • Oh wow! A train ticket to Paris, for me?

  • That's really generous of you.

  • Thanks Feifei! When do we go?

  • We? No, it's just one ticket. I couldn't afford two.

  • Now look, the train's about to leave so you had better go.

  • Have a good trip!

  • Oh right. I'll be off then. Bye.

  • Bye Rob.

  • Phew, two days in the office without Rob.

  • That is 'just the ticket' for me!

  • Hello, this is The English We Speak

  • and I'm Feifei.

  • And hello, I'm Neil.

  • Hey great news, Neil!

  • Oh yes, what's that?

  • I got a promotion.

  • Oh well done.

  • Congratulations and all that.

  • Come on, Neil, you were never going to get one.

  • And anyway, it's not all good news.

  • A promotion, a pay rise, more power,

  • How is that not all good news?

  • Well, it means longer hours, harder work

  • and working with you more.

  • I expect you have some English

  • expression to describe that!

  • I do, Feifei.

  • You have to take the rough with the smooth.

  • It means you have to accept the bad or unpleasant

  • things in a situation as well as the good things.

  • In other words, you can't have everything.

  • Thanks for the sympathy, Neil.

  • Here are some good things  though, Feifei: examples!

  • I'm going to use my qualification to

  • get a really good job but I've

  • lots of studying to do before I get it.

  • Well you have to take the rough

  • with the smooth but good luck!

  • Having kids is very fulfilling but it can be

  • challenging too, especially the lack of sleep.

  • But I guess I have to take the rough with the smooth!

  • This is The English We Speak from

  • BBC Learning English and we're learning

  • about the phrase 'to take the rough with the smooth'

  • which means you have to accept the bad things

  • in a situation as well as the good things.

  • So poor you, Feifei, you've got a great new promotion

  • but you're going to have to work longer.

  • So fewer lunches with me, less time at the pub...

  • The expression for that would be

  • 'to take the smooth with the smooth'.

  • But do you know what?

  • This programme is a good example of

  • taking the rough with the smooth.

  • So you mean there are some

  • good things and some bad things?

  • Hmm, so what are they?

  • Well, the rough things are presenting with you...

  • Oh! And the smooth things?

  • The smooth things, the good things are

  • it's a short programme and it's nearly over.

  • It's time to go, Neil.

  • Thank goodness.

  • Enjoy your promotion then, hope it goes smoothly.

  • It will! Bye.

  • Bye.

  • Hello and welcome to a very festive

  • The English We Speak.

  • I'm Feifei.

  • And I'm Rob. Happy Christmas everyone.

  • And to you, Feifei.

  • Oh thanks. But you know what Rob?

  • I don't feel very festive.

  • Festive?! Look, I'm wearing my Christmas jumper.

  • We've got mince pies and, yeah,

  • I think it's snowing outside.

  • That's not snow, it's rain, Rob.

  • But I just think there is something missing...

  • something that would make us feel more Christmassy.

  • Presents?

  • Not presents.

  • Christmas crackers?

  • No, it's not those.

  • I know what's missing. It's people.

  • We need more people to make

  • it feel like a Christmas party!

  • What's wrong with just me?

  • You're OK, Rob. But you know what they say?

  • The more the merrier.

  • Right, you mean the situation or occasion would be

  • better, or more enjoyableif lots of people joined in.

  • More people equals more fun!

  • Exactly!

  • OK, well I'll try to find some people for you

  • Feifei while you enjoy some examples.

  • Is it OK if I bring some of my friends to the party tonight?

  • Of course it is, the more the merrier!

  • Why don't you come skiing with us?

  • We've got room in the car.

  • The more the merrier!

  • We've got our office brainstorm later.

  • Please join us, the more the merrier!

  • This is The English We Speak

  • from BBC Learning English.

  • It's almost Christmas, so I want a

  • party with lots of people in the studio.

  • As the saying goes, the more the merrier.

  • The more people there are,

  • the more enjoyable the situation!

  • Don't you agree Rob? Rob?

  • Oh, where's he gone?

  • Don't worry, Feifei, I'm here, I'm here.

  • And I've found some people for you.

  • Hi Feifei!

  • Hi Roy!

  • Hello Feifei!

  • Hello!

  • Hi Feifei!

  • Hi! Wow! All my Learning English chums.

  • But, it's getting a bit crowded in here now.

  • Hello! Hi!

  • Good to see you. Hey!

  • Woo hoo! Party time!

  • Yes, yes, save some room for me.

  • Squeeze in, Rob, the more the merrier!

  • Oooh, OK. Excuse me... excuse mealright.

  • Oh yeah, it is a bit of a squeeze.

  • There, I'm in.

  • Phwaoh!

  • Not again, Rob!

  • What's that?

  • Have you been eating chicken?

  • What are you having for dinner?

  • Oops sorry. Too many Brussels sprouts, I'm afraid.

  • Is that the time? Yeah, I've gotta go.

  • I must breathe!

  • You ruined my life!

  • Bye. Bye.

  • Now look what you've done.

  • You've ruined our Christmas party!

  • It's not so merry now.

  • Oh well. Happy Christmas, Feifei!

  • You too.

  • Hello I'm Feifei and this is The English We Speak.

  • And hello I'm Neil.

  • Neil, I wonder if you could help me.

  • I'm trying to find something on this map.

  • Oh yes, map reading, I'm good at that.

  • What are you trying to find?

  • Well, I went to a gig last night and

  • saw this new singer - he was amazing.

  • Thanks for inviting me!

  • Anyway, what's that got to with a map?

  • Well, afterwards everyone was talking about it

  • and saying the gig was so good that

  • it will 'put him on the map'.

  • But... I just can't find him on here.

  • Put the map away Feifei, you won't find him there.

  • When we say someone will be 'put on the map'

  • it means they will become famous

  • or become more prominent. But not on a map!

  • Right! Actually Neil, I've heard about a new

  • restaurant I ate at being 'put on the map'.

  • Yes, something as well as someone can

  • be put on the map, or in other words, become

  • famous, popular or well known.

  • You must have eaten at a good quality

  • restaurant for it to be put on the map!

  • I did! Let's tuck into some examples shall we?

  • Her first exhibition at the Tate gallery has put

  • her on the map as a serious modern artist.

  • This great tasting food has really put

  • this new restaurant on the map.

  • Hosting the Olympics has put this city on the map

  • as a great place to come for a holiday.

  • So that's to put someone or something on the map:

  • To become famous, popular or more prominent.

  • I suppose it suggests that becoming famous

  • means you are now important enough for

  • your name to be seen or heard by everyone.

  • That's right. In the old days when a place was too

  • small and unimportant it wasn't shown on a map.

  • But when it became more important it was 'put on the map'.

  • Right. Anyway Neil, let me look at that map again...

  • OK.

  • Look! That singer I saw really is on the map, right there.

  • Really? What was he called?

  • 'Man-chester'

  • 'Man-chester'?

  • Manchester. Of course!

  • Bye.

  • Good bye.

  • Hello and welcome to The English We Speak

  • with me, Feifei.

  • And me, Roy.

  • Roy, why are you hitting that table with a hammer?

  • Well, I got your message  about flattening the curve,

  • and then I saw that this table had a bit of a bump in it,

  • so I wanted to make sure you were happy.

  • No, Roy. When I talked about 'flattening the curve',

  • it relates to lowering and smoothing

  • out the peak on a graph or chart.

  • Oh, because you were talking about

  • the rate of infection in the UK.

  • It's really important to 'flatten the curve' of the

  • infection to avoid our healthcare services being

  • overwhelmed with too many patients at one time.

  • That's right, now let's listen to these examples.

  • The government have introduced social distancing

  • measures to try and flatten the curve.

  • We need to flatten the curve to prevent

  • too many admissions into hospital.

  • Flattening the curve is vital to help save lives.

  • This is The English We Speak from

  • BBC Learning English and

  • we're talking about the expression

  • 'flatten the curve', which has been used

  • a lot during the coronavirus crisis.

  • It means to reduce the peak of a graph or chart.

  • Yes, people have been in lockdown and

  • social distancing to flatten the curve.

  • It seems that the rate of infection

  • in the UK has decreased of late.

  • Yes, it seems that way.

  • But I can't believe you were hitting that table!

  • Well, I was just trying to make you happy, sorry.

  • Roy, now my chair is broken,

  • what happened to the wheels?

  • I flattened the curves on your wheels!

  • I've fixed everything.

  • You should see what I've done to your car.

  • Working with you is never a boring experience!

  • Thanks!

  • Bye, Roy.

  • Bye, Feifei.

  • Hi everyone! We hope you enjoyed that video

  • and thank you very much for watching.

  • We have so many more just like it so

  • if you don't want to miss a single one make sure

  • to subscribe and we will see you regularly.

  • Hope to see you soon, bye guys!

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak

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