On the table

Every week, we look at a different everyday English phrase or piece of slang in this fun three-minute programme. From BBC World Service

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Language Learning

Here's an expression that describes something solving a problem. (Image: Getty) TRANSCRIPT
Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240422. FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
Visit our website
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish
Follow us
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS?
Try some of our other popular podcasts including:
✔️ 6 Minute English
✔️ News Review
✔️ Office English
They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

Do the trick

An expression that describes a habit you find strange, but doesn't make you not like someone.  (Image: Getty) TRANSCRIPT
Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240422. FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
Visit our website
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish
Follow us
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS?
Try some of our other popular podcasts including:
✔️ 6 Minute English
✔️ News Review
✔️ Office English
They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

Beige flag

An expression about exaggerating or praising someone too much. (Image: Getty) TRANSCRIPT
Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240416. FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
Visit our website
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish
Follow us
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS?
Try some of our other popular podcasts including:
✔️ 6 Minute English
✔️ News Review
✔️ Office English
They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

Lay it on thick

Here's a light-hearted expression about not telling the truth. (Image: Getty) TRANSCRIPT
Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240409. FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
Visit our website
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish 
Follow us 
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus  LIKE PODCASTS?
Try some of our other popular podcasts including: 
✔️ 6 Minute English
✔️ News Review
✔️ Office English
They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

Telling porkies

We have an phrase which means to know about something or to be involved in it.

On the table

Download our free app to listen on your phone