The English We Speak

By BBC Radio

What's The English We Speak about?

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

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The English We Speak episodes:

04.23.2024
Beige flag
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...
04.16.2024
Lay it on thick
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...
04.09.2024
Telling porkies
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...
04.02.2024
In on it
We have an phrase which means to know about something or to be involved in it.
03.26.2024
Walk someone through
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-240325 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...
03.19.2024
Brick by brick
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-240318. 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: ✔️...
03.13.2024
Read the room
Here’s a phrase that means to work out how people feel. Learn how to use it!
03.12.2024
Cook up an idea
Here’s a phrase that means to come up with an idea carefully. Learn how to use it here For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com (Image: Getty) TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you...
02.27.2024
Rinse repeat
Beth and Feifei explain how to use this expression to describe repetitive tiresome actions. Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240226 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our...
02.20.2024
A million to one
Here's an expression to say something is extremely unlikely
02.13.2024
Cash in on something
Learn a phrase about making money.
02.06.2024
Make your hair stand on end
Here’s a phrase about things that scare you. Learn how to use it in this programme.
01.30.2024
On the go
A phrase to describe how busy you are
01.22.2024
A blow
What a blow! It's so disappointing. Learn how to use this with us
01.16.2024
Rears its head
Want to talk about problems? Here's a useful phrase
01.08.2024
Elbow grease
Some things just need a little elbow grease. Learn what that is in this programme.
01.02.2024
Bring something to the party
You want to say that you can offer a lot. Learn a phrase for this.
12.26.2023
Light up like a Christmas tree
Has something suddenly made you look very happy? Learn an expression for this.
12.19.2023
I don't buy it
Here's an expression you can use to say 'I don't believe you'
12.12.2023
Touch grass
Do you spend too much time online? Here's an expression you can use to say 'take a break'.
12.05.2023
I'm out
Sometimes you need to say you don't have anything left. Learn 'I'm out'.
11.28.2023
Plan b
If you need an alternative option, you need to know this phrase. Learn how to use it.
11.21.2023
Sound out
Sometimes you just want to find out what someone else thinks.
11.14.2023
Fly by night
When companies or people can't be trusted, use this expression.
11.14.2023
One-up
Do you want to beat your friends by saying what you have done that is better than them?
10.31.2023
Tread on someone's toes
It can be annoying when someone does something you were supposed to do.
10.24.2023
Mental gymnastics
How do we talk about complicated tasks done by your brain?
10.17.2023
Call dibs
If you want to get the last slice of pizza, what can you say?
10.10.2023
Run for the hills
What makes you want to run for the hills?
09.26.2023
Each to their own
How do you feel when someone does something that you would never do, but it's OK?
09.19.2023
Fill your boots
If you are presented with an opportunity, how can you tell some to take advantage?
09.12.2023
Join the club
How to tell someone that the bad situation they are experiencing is the same as yours.
09.05.2023
Go with the flow
Learn a phrase to say that you are happy to do what other want to do
08.29.2023
Cakeism
Learn a phrase about wanting to have two good things at the same time.
08.22.2023
Drip feed
Learn a phrase about giving information little by little.
08.15.2023
Scatterbrain
Learn about this word that describes someone disorganised or forgetful.
08.08.2023
Be in with a shout
Learn a phrase for winning!
08.08.2023
On point
A phrase all about being perfect!
07.25.2023
Kiss something goodbye
An expression with 'kiss' that's not about kissing!
07.18.2023
Productivity theatre
Learn a phrase about pretending to work.
07.11.2023
Pet hate
Learn how to describe your annoyance
07.04.2023
On the table
Learn a phrase often used in business.
06.27.2023
Jump through hoops
Learn a phrase about the challenge of getting something done.
06.20.2023
It happens to the best of us
When someone makes a mistake, learn what to say to make them feel better.
06.13.2023
Famous last words
A phrase about telling someone they'll be wrong.
06.06.2023
Hard pass
Learn a phrase about saying 'no' firmly.
05.30.2023
Level up
'Level up' your English and learn a new word!
05.23.2023
Get with the programme
Learn an idiom used to encourage someone to accept new ideas or techniques.
05.16.2023
Shout-out
Learn how to praise or thank someone publicly.
05.09.2023
Fitspiration
Get fit with this new word!

What's The English We Speak about?

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The English We Speak episodes:

Beige flag

Lay it on thick

Telling porkies

In on it

Walk someone through

Brick by brick

Read the room

Cook up an idea

Rinse repeat

A million to one

Cash in on something

Make your hair stand on end

On the go

A blow

Rears its head

Elbow grease

Bring something to the party

Light up like a Christmas tree

I don't buy it

Touch grass

I'm out

Plan b

Sound out

Fly by night

One-up

Tread on someone's toes

Mental gymnastics

Call dibs

Run for the hills

Each to their own

Fill your boots

Join the club

Go with the flow

Cakeism

Drip feed

Scatterbrain

Be in with a shout

On point

Kiss something goodbye

Productivity theatre

Pet hate

On the table

Jump through hoops

It happens to the best of us

Famous last words

Hard pass

Level up

Get with the programme

Shout-out

Fitspiration

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