DICTADOS INGLÉS BBC archivos - Madrid Berlin Idiomas

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FAQs about DICTADOS INGLÉS BBC archivos - Madrid Berlin Idiomas:

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The podcast currently has 32 episodes available.

DICTADOS INGLÉS BBC archivos - Madrid Berlin Idiomas episodes:

February 25, 2026 241.- Fall on stony ground. Profesor

https://madrid-berlin-idiomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Fall_on_stony_ground_.mp3

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250210

Introduction
If your suggestion falls on stony ground, it means people hate it or ignore it. Learn this expression here.
Transcript
Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I’m Feifei, and I’m here with Phil. You don’t look happy today, Phil.
Phil
No, I’m not. I’ve just been with the rest of the team. We’re working on a project, and they are just getting everything wrong! I tried to tell them exactly what they needed to do, and what mistakes they were making – and my words fell on stony ground.
Feifei
They fell on stony ground? Maybe your ideas weren’t that good, or you were being a bit rude. But Iet’s have a look at the expression ‘fall on stony ground’.
Phil
Yes, we use it to say that a suggestion or idea is either unpopular or just ignored, like all my suggestions just now.
Feifei
Well, there’s an image here, think about seeds. If seeds are blown by the wind and fall on ground that has lots of stones, then they probably won’t grow. They just die – like your ideas, Phil.
Phil
Don’t remind me! It’s often things that are unpopular that fall on stony ground. When a company announces a pay cut for their employees, it’s likely to fall on stony ground. If you try to tell someone that their big idea probably isn’t going to work, then there’s a good chance that your warning will fall on stony ground.
Feifei
Let’s hear some more examples of people using ‘fall on stony ground’.
Examples
I told my son he needed to be home before dark on his bike. That fell on stony ground – he really wasn’t happy.
A school near me has banned smartphones and it’s really fallen on stony ground – everyone is annoyed.
I really wanted to have a party for my birthday, but my suggestion fell on stony ground. Nobody wants to come!
Feifei
In the same way that we can use ‘stony ground’ to talk about ideas not being well-received, we can use ‘fertile ground’ to describe a place where it is easy for ideas to develop.
Phil
We could say that a good manager helps to create fertile ground for ideas. A successful university might be fertile ground for innovative research.
Feifei
We hope that this programme is fertile ground for your English development. Join us again next time! Bye.
Phil
See you then! Bye!
La entrada 241.- Fall on stony ground. Profesor se publicó primero en Madrid Berlin Idiomas.
...more
3min
February 25, 2026 240.- A fresh start. Profesor

https://madrid-berlin-idiomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/A_fresh_start_download.mp3

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251229
Introduction
A new year is the perfect time for a fresh start. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.
Transcript
Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases and expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I’m Feifei.
Phil
And I’m Phil. Happy New Year!
Feifei
Happy New Year! Yes, it is very nearly a new year. Have you thought of any resolutions, Phil?
Phil
Well, I always struggle to get the homework done for my language classes, but I’m going to change that in the new year. I’m going to make a fresh start!
Feifei
Yes, good. And that’s the phrase that we’re going to learn in this programme – ‘a fresh start’. You can see the word ‘fresh’ in there – it gives the idea of something new, and nothing bad has happened to it yet.
Phil
Yes, so when we talk about a fresh start, we mean we can do something new that isn’t affected too much by the past.
Feifei
The start of a new year can offer people a fresh start, but we also use it to talk about starting a new job or moving into a new place.
Phil
Let’s hear some examples of people talking about ‘a fresh start’.
Examples
My brother and I have been arguing for weeks, but we’ve decided to have a fresh start and just get on with each other.
So, I’ve got a new job and I’m sad to be leaving, but I am looking forward to making a fresh start.
Oh gosh, I’ve just put chilli in the cookie dough. Let’s just get some more dough and make a fresh start.
Feifei
We’ve been learning the expression ‘a fresh start’ to talk about the opportunity to start again.
Phil
It’s good to notice that we often use the verb ‘make’ with the phrase ‘a fresh start’.
Feifei
Yes, so, for example, I could talk about ‘making a fresh start’ in the new year.
Phil
That’s it for this programme. I just want to say that if you feel that you want to make a fresh start with your English, we can help you.
Feifei
Yes. Come back to listen to the next episode of The English We Speak. We’ll see you then! Bye.
Phil
Bye.
La entrada 240.- A fresh start. Profesor se publicó primero en Madrid Berlin Idiomas.
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3min
February 25, 2026 239.- The moment of truth. Profesor
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251215
https://madrid-berlin-idiomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/The-moment_of_truth_.mp3

Introduction
Use this expression to add drama and suspense to what you’re saying. Learn how in this programme.
Transcript
Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them, too! I’m Feifei, and I’m joined by Georgie. How’s it going?
Georgie
Well Feifei, I’ve spent the year studying for a Spanish exam. The exam was last month, and I’ve got the results in my hands right now! Shall I open them?
Feifei
Yes! Go on. It’s the moment of truth. How did you do?
Georgie
I passed!
Feifei
Yay!
Georgie
Yay! Now, ‘the moment of truth’ is the phrase we’re learning in this programme. Now, how is truth related to my Spanish results, Feifei?
Feifei
Well, the phrase ‘the moment of truth’ means the moment when everything becomes clear and the truth is revealed. It’s when you finally see the results after a process.
Georgie
Yeah, so the grades I have here in my hand are the result of a year of studying Spanish. Now, ‘the moment of truth’ can be used in many different contexts, not just exam results. Another example is that recently we’ve been brainstorming some ideas for a new project at work, and soon we’re going to present them to our boss to see if he likes any of them. That will be the moment of truth.
Feifei
Well, hopefully that goes well for you! Let’s listen to more examples.
Examples
I’ve experimented with a new cake recipe and I’m not sure what it’s going to be like, but it’s about to come out of the oven. This is the moment of truth.
It’s the moment of truth. This penalty shot will decide who will win the football match.
It’s the moment of truth. I have dyed my hair and I’m about to dry it, so let’s see what it looks like.
Feifei
So, ‘the moment of truth’ is quite dramatic, isn’t it?
Georgie
Yes, it is! We use it to add drama and suspense when the truth is revealed. It has this sense that now is the time we have all been waiting for. Everyone is wondering, ‘Ooh, what’s going to happen?’ It’s the moment of truth.
Feifei
OK. Let’s recap. We learnt ‘the moment of truth’, which is the moment that the results of something are revealed after a period of waiting.
Georgie
Join us again next time. Bye!
Feifei
Bye!
La entrada 239.- The moment of truth. Profesor se publicó primero en Madrid Berlin Idiomas.
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3min
February 25, 2026 241.- Fall on stony ground

https://madrid-berlin-idiomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Fall_on_stony_ground_.mp3
La entrada 241.- Fall on stony ground se publicó primero en Madrid Berlin Idiomas.
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3min
February 25, 2026 240.- A fresh start

https://madrid-berlin-idiomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/A_fresh_start_download.mp3
La entrada 240.- A fresh start se publicó primero en Madrid Berlin Idiomas.
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3min
February 25, 2026 239.- The moment of truth

https://madrid-berlin-idiomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/The-moment_of_truth_.mp3
La entrada 239.- The moment of truth se publicó primero en Madrid Berlin Idiomas.
...more
3min
January 19, 2026 238.- Keep someone on their toes. Profesor

https://madrid-berlin-idiomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Keep_someone_on_their_toes_.mp3

Keep someone on their toes
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251208
Introduction
This expression is about causing someone else to stay alert and ready for anything. Learn how to use it here.
Transcript
Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them, too! I’m Feifei, and I thought Georgie was going to join me today…
Georgie
BOO!
Feifei
Oh, you were hiding under the desk! Why did you do that? We’re supposed to be recording a programme.
Georgie
Feifei, I love playing jokes on people. You should never get too relaxed around here. I’m just trying to keep you on your toes.
Feifei
Keep me on my toes… Well, shall we learn that expression then?
Georgie
I think that’s a good idea. If you keep someone on their toes, it means you do something to make sure a person stays alert. Think about it literally – if you’re standing or walking around on your toes, you’re slightly tense and ready to move, rather than being relaxed. You’re ready for anything that might happen.
Feifei
Yes. Think about a boxer being on their toes. The phrase keeps someone on their toes has a sense of being prepared in case something unexpected happens. For example, at the moment my working week looks very different from one week to another. So every week I’m doing different things, so that really keeps me on my toes.
Georgie
I bet it does. OK, let’s hear some more examples.
Examples
I never really liked science class because the teacher would always ask us a question, and we had to answer quickly in front of the whole class. It really kept us on our toes.
The chef at the restaurant changes the menu every week. That really keeps the staff on their toes.
There’s always new roadworks in different places in my town at the moment, but at least it keeps me on my toes. I need to pay attention when I’m driving.
Feifei
So, ‘keep someone on their toes’ is about one person making another person feel ready for something unexpected.
Georgie
That’s right. But if you want a phrase to describe yourself or another person, you can use ‘be on the ball’. If you are on the ball, it means you’re quick to understand or react. I’ve had a couple of coffees this morning, so I’m feeling very on the ball.
Feifei
Yes, it seems like it. Let’s recap. We learnt ‘keep someone on their toes’, which means you do something to make someone else stay alert and ready for anything to happen.
Georgie
Thanks for joining us. Bye!
Feifei
Goodbye!
La entrada 238.- Keep someone on their toes. Profesor se publicó primero en Madrid Berlin Idiomas.
...more
3min
January 19, 2026 237.- Off base. Profesor

https://madrid-berlin-idiomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Off_base_.mp3

Off base
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251124

Introduction
This expression is a way to say someone’s idea, guess or opinion is far from the reality. Learn it here.
Transcript
Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them as well. I’m Feifei, and I’m joined by Beth. Hello Beth!
Beth
Hi Feifei. Something embarrassing happened to me recently.
Feifei
Oh really? I want to hear all about it!
Beth
Well, my cousin asked me if I’d bake her daughter a princess birthday cake, and I thought I could. Turns out I was completely off base. I can’t decorate cakes at all – it was awful!
Feifei
Ah, you were off base – you were wrong. Hmm, why was this cake decoration so bad?
Beth
Well, let’s just say the cake looked more like a monster than a princess. If someone is ‘off base’ it means they’re mistaken, or their guess or opinion is far from reality. I thought I could decorate well, but I can’t.
Feifei
Oh, it happens to all of us. Well, the other day I was trying to make a costume for my son for World Book Day, but it turned out I got all the measurements wrong. The costume was too small. It didn’t fit. I was way off base.
Beth
Oh, dear. That does not sound good.
Feifei
Let’s listen to more examples of off base.
Examples
I’ve got this feeling that Georgie is annoyed with me today. What do you think? Am I off base?
I thought I could fix the toilet, but that was totally off base. I can’t. And now there’s water coming through the ceiling.
The critics said the film was rubbish, but I think they’re completely off base. I loved it.
Beth
So, ‘off base’ is like saying ‘you’ve got the wrong idea’ or ‘you’re mistaken’. And we often add ‘totally’ or ‘completely’ before it, like we’ve heard in examples in the programme.
Feifei
It’s also common to add the word ‘way’ before it, which is an informal way of saying ‘really’. Beth, you don’t like chocolate, right?
Beth
What? You are way off base. I love chocolate! I think it’s interesting knowing where this expression comes from. Do you know, Feifei?
Feifei
Yes! It’s originally a phrase from baseball. If you’re off base in baseball, you’re standing somewhere that’s vulnerable – you’re in the wrong place.
Beth
Exactly right. Well, we’ll be back next time with another useful English phrase. See you soon!
Feifei
Goodbye.

La entrada 237.- Off base. Profesor se publicó primero en Madrid Berlin Idiomas.
...more
3min
January 19, 2026 238.- Keep someone on their toes
https://madrid-berlin-idiomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Keep_someone_on_their_toes_.mp3
La entrada 238.- Keep someone on their toes se publicó primero en Madrid Berlin Idiomas.
...more
3min
January 19, 2026 237.- Off base
https://madrid-berlin-idiomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Off_base_.mp3
La entrada 237.- Off base se publicó primero en Madrid Berlin Idiomas.
...more
3min

FAQs about DICTADOS INGLÉS BBC archivos - Madrid Berlin Idiomas:

How many episodes does DICTADOS INGLÉS BBC archivos - Madrid Berlin Idiomas have?

The podcast currently has 32 episodes available.