We Speak. You are Neil...

Neil: ... and hello, you are Feifei.

Feifei: Neil, a question - if you looked into

my purse, what would you find?

Neil: Not much! Probably lots of small

coins that aren't worth much.

Feifei: Well I'm not rich, Neil - but yes,

you would find small change.

A collection of coins with little value.

Neil: OK - is this the phrase for this programme?

Feifei: Not exactly. The phrase is 'small

change' but it's not about money.

Something that is insignificant or trivial,

meaning not important,

can also be described as 'small change'.

Neil: Like getting a seat on the train

during the rush hour is 'small change' for me.

Feifei: And getting chocolate sprinkles on

top of my cappuccino is

'small change' for me.

Neil: Really? That's 'big change' for me!

Let's hear some examples that are far

from being small change!

I've only got a cold so my health problems

are small change compared with your broken leg.

Eating out every night is small change to

Molly - she can afford it with the huge salary she's on.

Where I sit on the plane is small change

to me, as long as we arrive on time.

Feifei: This is The English We Speak from

BBC Learning English and we're talking

about the phrase 'small change' which

describes something insignificant

or trivial, meaning not important.

Neil: We can also describe someone as

being 'small change' - so they are not

important. Feifei, do you think I'm small

change in this programme?

Feifei: Of course not, Neil. You are very

important to this programme - and

besides, we couldn't afford the other presenter!

Neil: Ha ha. Very funny. So now we've

explained 'small change' - can you lend me some?

Feifei: You mean money? How much do you want?

Neil: Ten pounds!

Feifei: Neil, that's NOT small change - and

your request is not 'small change' either.

The answer is 'no'!

Neil: Well it was worth a try. See ya.

Feifei: Bye.