Learning English Conversations
827 episodes — Page 12 of 17
Burn a hole in your pocket
When you are in the habit of spending all your money as soon as it comes in, you can use this phrase to express yourself
To turn something upside down
How to describe doing a thorough search for something in a very messy way
Going forward
How do you ask someone to change the way they do things in the future? Learn this phrase connected to motion
A recipe for disaster
When things go wrong and the outcome isn't good, what kind of recipe are you following? Learn a phrase that has nothing to do with cooking
Crash course
When you need to learn something very quickly, it’s worth considering a super fast learning programme, but it’s not for everyone
You've sold it to me
When you are in total agreement with ideas or suggestions from others, try a new phrase to express yourself
Full of the joys of spring
What time of the year describes a good mood? Learn this lively and cheerful phrase
Six of one, half a dozen of the other
Is this expression related to numbers? If half a dozen is six, what does this expression mean? Listen to the programme
Test the water
How can you make sure a new project is going to be a successful? Here's a piece of good advice
To lie through your teeth
Not telling the truth is not a good thing to do. Learn a phrase to describe your actions
To make a monkey out of me
Rob's been asked to dress up like a monkey but it seems like someone is literally making a monkey out of him!
There's method to my madness
Although other people may think you are behaving rather strangely, you know what you are doing. There's a reason and a phrase to describe your behaviour
In good nick
Learn a phrase to describe something in top condition
Cheap and cheerful
Most people like a present that is cheap and cheerful. But no one likes something that is cheap and nasty
A bitter pill to swallow
When a situation is hard to accept, what do you say? This phrase could be for you
I'm game
Neil is dying for a game of squash but Li is not game. Find out why...
That'll put hairs on your chest!
Learn a humorous expression that is used when someone is going to have a strong alcoholic drink
Down the pan
When things are not going as planned, we can say they've gone ‘down the pan’, but which pan is it?
Sweet tooth
Do you have a sweet tooth? Is it something that you are born with or do you develop it?
Bumper-to-bumper
When a car bumper is almost touch another car bumper, you know the situation on the road is bad
Eye candy
How can you describe someone good looking but not interesting?
Thingy
Oh no, you've forgotten the word for something! Don't worry, this expression might help
Across the pond
Are London and New York separated by a pond? Learn this expression people say on both sides of the Atlantic
People person
Are you good at working with other people? This expression might describe you
It's a steal!
Have you paid very little money for something normally expensive? Learn an expression for when you find a bargain
Bull and bear market
Learn what you say when share prices rise and when they fall. We help you to understand financial terms
Social media words
'Trolls' and 'haters' are the people who want to annoy you. The names are part of the new vocabulary of social media
Don't give up the day job
If you don't think someone is very good at doing something what should you say? Here's a phrase to help you
A barrel of laughs
What object is full of laughs? This is a phrase that describes someone who is fun
To know something like the back of your hand
Do you know a place very well? Are you able to find your way in a place without looking at any maps? Here is a way of saying it with help from your hand
Give me credit
Learn a phrase that's full of praise. You won't need a credit card to use this one
To keep the wolf from the door
Who's that knocking at the door? Someone's here to tell you you're in financial trouble
Red tape
Fed up with rules and regulations? You must learn this expression
To drink someone under the table
Drink to celebrate the good things in life, drink to forget the bad. Here's an expression for people who like an alcoholic drink
Cyberbullying
Is there someone tormenting you online? Here's an expression for when people hide behind a computer to attack others
A close shave
What's a razor got to do with Rob's bike ride to work? Here's an expression for when you've had a narrow escape.
My mind's gone blank
Why did Rob ask Feifei to meet him in the studio? Here's an expression for when you've forgotten something.
To sleep on it
Find out how 'sleeping on it' doesn't just mean lying on a bed!
All over the place
Neil can't find his script. His pen's gone missing. He's feeling a bit confused. What's wrong with him? Find out in the programme.
To go around the houses
Feifei wants to borrow Rob's car but she takes a long time getting to the point. Find out why Rob tells her not to go around the houses. And why doesn't Rob want her to drive his car?
Done and dusted
When someone says the phrase 'done and dusted', do they mean doing some proper cleaning?
Chill pill
It's hard to swallow but maybe it's time for a chill pill!
Put a sock in it!
Why has Helen put a sock in the toaster and how is that going to keep her quiet?
A wild card
Who's the wild card in the office? Rob and Feifei use a phrase to describe an unpredictable colleague.
To take a shot / stab in the dark
Feifei thinks someone's been killed but then discovers taking a stab in the dark doesn't involve using knives!
To keep a lid on it
Li and Neil go for a coffee, but why do they have to keep a lid on it?
To be on the ball
Learn a phrase to describe the ability to react quickly to things.
Mind-blowing
Feifei and Harry use an expression for things that amaze and astound.
Out for the count
Neil and Li talk about how a boxing expression can be used in everyday life.
Game changer
Feifei and Harry use an expression for people and ideas that change the way we do things.