Learning English Conversations
807 episodes — Page 10 of 17
To blow the cobwebs away
No spiders involved. It's time to get lively and learn a new English phrase
A knees-up
Want to go to a party? This phrase might help you get an invitation
To put someone on the map
Need directions to learn a new English phrase? Here's one about a map and being famous
Down in the dumps
Feeling unhappy? Here's a phrase to describe your mood but don't take it too literally!
Excuse me!
Rob keeps saying 'excuse me' but what does he really mean? You and Feifei are about to find out the many uses of this phrase
A sting in the tail
Rob's become a bee keeper but there's something more unpleasant to this hobby than being stung. Find out how a sting in the tail doesn't just come from bees!
So done with
Are you doing something very boring? We have just the phrase for you!
lolz
You might know the slang expression ‘LOL’, but do you know about ‘lolz’?
Have a go
Poor Neil gets a lot of criticism in the programme. Of course, it’s all to help you learn English!
About
You know what ‘about’ means, right? But maybe not this extra meaning! Take another look with us
Wing it
Learn an informal expression for when you have to improvise
Pot luck
Not sure what to expect? Learn a phrase about hoping your choice will turn out ok
It beats me
Why does Feifei keep hitting Rob? There could be some confusion about the meaning of today's authentic English phrase. Find out what Rob really means when he says 'it beats me'
Jiggery-pokery
Tricks and dishonesty: Learn this phrase before it fools you!
Left, right, and centre
If you do something left, right, and centre does that mean you do it everywhere? Rob's being doing just that but what's he been doing it with?
Donkey's years
Why has Rob got a donkey in the studio?! It's probably got something with today's authentic English phrase which is about not doing something for a long time
Give us a bell
What's that ringing sound? Is it someone giving you a bell? Find out what it all means
Echo chamber
Echo echo echo echo…
Snowflake
Do you melt too easily?
The heat is on
Learn an expression which you can use to say you're under pressure
Wet weekend
When can a wet weekend be dry? Find out with another authentic English expression
No picnic
Some things in life are hard work. Discover a phrase that describes these situations
A busman's holiday
Going on holiday to do your job? What's it got to do with driving a bus?
Fuddy-duddy
Old-fashioned and set in your ways? Could you be one of these people?
Bottle
Use this phrase involving bottles when you’re too afraid to do something
No great shakes
Not impressed by something? Here's an expression that describes what you think
Not a sausage
Nothing, absolutely nothing, nothing at all… Not even one little sausage!
Long
Not everything in this life is fun. Learn a phrase to describe boring jobs!
Not half
Love pizza? Feifei and Neil bring you a phrase to show how much you enjoy something
All over the shop
Looked everywhere? Learn a phrase about shops that isn’t about shops!
It comes with the territory
Some things have to be expected. Learn a phrase to describe this situation
It won't wash
Heard something unconvincing? Maybe it's time to get out the washing powder!
Jack-of-all-trades
Can you do lots of different things? This could be the phrase to describe you
The coast is clear
Doing something you shouldn't? Here's a phrase about not being caught
Pull a fast one
Make the English you speak sound more natural
Suck it and see
Learn a phrase about having new experiences
To cut your teeth
Starting out in a new profession? Here's an expression about gaining experience
Shrinkflation
Getting less for your money? Could you be the victim of 'shrinkflation'?
La-la land
Is someone making unreasonable requests? Here's where they live
A different kettle of fish
Fishing for a phrase? This could be the one for you
At the drop of a hat
What would Rob do at the drop of a hat? Find out more about this expression
Brass neck
What does being confident but rude have to do with your neck? Learn an expression that should not be taken literally
Reinvent the wheel
Wasting time doing something that's been done before? There's a phrase to explain this
Frenemy
Do you have a false friend? In The English We Speak we get to hear how one of Feifei's best friends isn't a friend at all and discover that there's a great word to describe them
To be fair
Give both sides of the argument with this phrase
On the box
Watching a ‘box’ can’t be very enjoyable, can it?
Got your number
Understanding someone's true intentions
Clickbait
Learn a word that describes tempting online links
Mash-up
Dan and Feifei are in the studio and Dan has been working on a new music track. Will it be good? Let's find out
Air kiss
How do you kiss someone without kissing them? Neil and Feifei explain a word which describes a popular way of greeting and saying goodbye to friends