Latest The English We Speak
Let loose
Episode 240513 / 13 May 2024
An expression that means relax and celebrate. Learn more here
Lay it on thick
Episode 240416 / 16 Apr 2024
The best book in the world? That's laying it on a bit thick.
Brick by brick
Episode 240318 / 18 Mar 2024
There are some things that you have to build up gradually. This phrase will help you talk about them.
Light up like a Christmas tree
Episode 231226 / 26 Dec 2023
An expression to describe your happy face
Fly by night
Episode 231113 / 13 Nov 2023
What do you call a business that disappears overnight and leaves you with a lot of problems?
Tread on someone's toes
Episode 231030 / 30 Oct 2023
An expression all about doing something you're not responsible for.
Mental gymnastics
Episode 231024 / 23 Oct 2023
How do we talk about complicated tasks done by your brain?
Ins and outs
Episode 220919 / 19 Sep 2022
Here's a phrase about learning more details about something
Thereby hangs a tale
Episode 220606 / 06 Jun 2022
A Shakespearean phrase for when there's more to something than you think
Not like the sound of something
Episode 211206 / 22 Oct 2021
Learn a phrase about not liking something
Not a patch on something
Episode 211025 / 25 Oct 2021
An expression for when something is far worse than something else
A legend in one's lifetime
Episode 211004 / 04 Oct 2021
Do you know a famous living person? Here’s a phrase to describe them.
Live rent-free in one's head
Episode 210927 / 27 Sep 2021
What or who do you think about all the time?
it’s the … for me
Episode 210802 / 02 Aug 2021
Learn an expression about why you love or hate something.
Have a lot of plates spinning
Episode 210412 / 12 Apr 2021
A phrase about having a lot of things to do
Living in a bubble
Episode 200810 / 10 Aug 2020
Get out and see the world – stop living in a bubble!
Blended working
Episode 200629 / 29 Jun 2020
A mix of home and office working has led to a new English expression.
Microworker
Episode 200120 / 20 Jan 2020
If you do small tasks for tech firms then this new word describes your job!
Talk the talk
Episode 200106 / 06 Jan 2020
Neil can talk the talk, but does he know what he's talking about?
Out with the old, in with the new
Episode 191230 / 30 Dec 2019
A phrase to describe what you can do at this time of year!
Punch above your weight
Episode 191118 / 02 Oct 2019
It sounds violent, but this phrase might surprise you!
Eat your heart out
Episode 190812 / 12 Aug 2019
Could this be the scariest phrase we’ve ever taught?
Dead
Episode 190422 / 22 Apr 2019
Learn a new way to say ‘very’ in this week’s The English We Speak!
To have all your Christmases come at once
Episode 181224 / 24 Dec 2018
Get that festive feeling again and again
'It leaves a bad taste in your mouth': What does it mean?
Episode 181203 / 03 Dec 2018
Great food but a bad taste
A different kettle of fish
Episode 170307 / 07 Mar 2017
Fishing for a phrase? This could be the one for you
To wash your dirty linen in public
Episode 161101 / 01 Nov 2016
An expression about not keeping matters private
To have an axe to grind
Episode 161004 / 04 Oct 2016
An expression for when someone's got a strong opinion
To pull something out of the hat
Episode 160816 / 16 Aug 2016
What surprising things come out of a hat?
Off the hook
Episode 160802 / 02 Aug 2016
Here's a phrase for when you free someone from an obligation
To make a mountain out of a molehill
Episode 160719 / 19 Jul 2016
Don't overreact - use this phrase!
White-collar worker / blue-collar worker
Episode 160628 / 28 Jun 2016
What does the colour of your clothes say about your job?
It's on the cards
Episode 160614 / 14 Jun 2016
Learn a different way of saying that something is likely to happen
Clean up your act
Episode 160531 / 31 May 2016
Someone behaving badly? Here's a phrase that tells them what to do
You're pulling my leg!
Episode 160524 / 24 May 2016
Want to trick someone? Here is a phrase that involves pulling a part of your body!
One good turn deserves another
Episode 160517 / 17 May 2016
Has someone helped you with something? If so, here's a phrase that tells you what to do next
To fall at the first hurdle
Episode 160510 / 10 May 2016
Got an idea that's never going to work? Here is a phrase to describe the situation
Pain in the neck
Episode 160503 / 03 May 2016
Learn the phrase Helen needs to describe the headache her mobile phone company is causing her
Burn a hole in your pocket
Episode 160426 / 26 Apr 2016
Learn a vivid expression to describe someone who cannot save any money
To turn something upside down
Episode 160419 / 19 Apr 2016
Learn a phrase about doing a thorough search
You've sold it to me
Episode 160322 / 22 Mar 2016
Learn a different way to express 'you've convinced me'
Full of the joys of spring
Episode 160315 / 15 Mar 2016
A seasonal idiom that puts you in a good mood
A leopard can't change its spots
Episode 160308 / 08 Mar 2016
Learn a phrase about keeping your bad habits
Six of one, half a dozen of the other
Episode 160301 / 01 Mar 2016
This expression may not have anything to do with numbers
There's method to my madness
Episode 160126 / 26 Jan 2016
A phrase to describe your seemingly strange behaviour
A bitter pill to swallow
Episode 160105 / 05 Jan 2016
Learn a phrase to describe a situation that is hard to accept
That'll put hairs on your chest!
Episode 151215 / 15 Dec 2015
An expression said when someone is about to have a strong alcoholic drink
Fancy someone
Episode 151208 / 08 Dec 2015
They seem to be getting on well... maybe they 'fancy' each other?
Sweet tooth
Episode 151117 / 17 Nov 2015
Do you have a sweet tooth? Is it something that you are born with or do you develop it?
Across the pond
Episode 151020 / 20 Oct 2015
Learn an expression which makes an ocean sound very small indeed
Bull and bear market
Episode 150929 / 29 Sep 2015
Learn what we say when share prices go up and when they go down
Social media words
Episode 150922 / 22 Sep 2015
'Trolls' and 'haters' – the words for people who are just there to annoy you online
Don't give up the day job
Episode 150915 / 15 Sep 2015
Learn a phrase to give someone some friendly advice
To know something like the back of your hand
Episode 150901 / 01 Sep 2015
A popular expression for letting people know you are an expert
A face for radio
Episode 150825 / 25 Aug 2015
A useful expression for indirectly saying that someone is ugly
Give me credit
Episode 150818 / 18 Aug 2015
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
Episode 150811 / 11 Aug 2015
Who's that knocking at the door? Someone's here to tell you you're in financial trouble
Hot desk
Episode 150804 / 04 Aug 2015
Hot-desking is a modern way of working in offices. Learn how to use this phrase as a noun and a verb
Out of juice
Episode 150728 / 28 Jul 2015
Oh no - your phone's out of battery. We have just the phrase you need!
The penny dropped
Episode 150721 / 21 Jul 2015
What do you say when you finally understand something? Learn a useful phrase to do just that in this programme
Red tape
Episode 150714 / 14 Jul 2015
An expression for when there are lots of rules and regulations
Words for underwear
Episode 150707 / 07 Jul 2015
What do you call your panties, socks and bra? Listen to the programme to find out...
To drink someone under the table
Episode 150630 / 30 Jun 2015
Drink to celebrate the good things in life, drink to forget the bad. Here's an expression for people who like a drink
Me time
Episode 150623 / 23 Jun 2015
Both work and home are demanding lots of your time but what you really want is a few hours to yourself. Here's an expression to help you deal with that.
Cyberbullying
Episode 150616 / 16 Jun 2015
Is there someone tormenting you online? Here's an expression for when people hide behind a computer to attack others.
Take a back seat
Episode 150609 / 09 Jun 2015
Learn a phrase about not taking control. You won't need a car for this driving-related idiom!
In black and white
Episode 150602 / 02 Jun 2015
What two colours do we use to describe something that's official? Learn a phrase that leaves you in no doubt!
A sticky situation
Episode 150526 / 26 May 2015
What kind of situation has Rob got into when he bumps into a woman on the way to work?
A close shave
Episode 150519 / 19 May 2015
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
Episode 150512 / 12 May 2015
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
Episode 150505 / 05 May 2015
How can sleeping help you make a decision? Learn a phrase that doesn't involve lying on a bed!
All over the place
Episode 150428 / 28 Apr 2015
What's wrong with Neil today? Here's an expression for when you're badly organised
To go around the houses
Episode 150421 / 21 Apr 2015
Where do you go if you waste time asking pointless questions? We explain a useful phrase
Done and dusted
Episode 150414 / 14 Apr 2015
When someone says the phrase done and dusted, do they mean doing some proper cleaning?
Chill pill
Episode 150407 / 07 Apr 2015
It's hard to swallow but maybe it's time for a chill pill! We explain what that is
Put a sock in it!
Episode 150331 / 31 Mar 2015
Why has Helen put a sock in the toaster and how is that going to keep her quiet?
A wild card
Episode 150324 / 24 Mar 2015
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
Episode 150317 / 17 Mar 2015
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
Episode 150310 / 10 Mar 2015
Li and Neil get free coffee at a cafe but they need to keep a lid on it
To be on the ball
Episode 150303 / 03 Mar 2015
Learn a phrase to describe the ability to quickly react to things
Mind-blowing
Episode 150224 / 24 Feb 2015
Feifei and Harry use an expression to describe things that amaze and astound
Out for the count
Episode 150217 / 17 Feb 2015
Neil and Li talk about how a boxing expression can be used in everyday life
Game changer
Episode 150210 / 10 Feb 2015
Feifei and Harry use an expression for people and ideas that change the way we do things
Wow factor
Episode 150203 / 03 Feb 2015
Harry and Feifei look at an expression for when things surprise and impress you
Full-on
Episode 150127 / 27 Jan 2015
Harry and Feifei talk about a common colloquial expression for when things are intense
Stab in the back
Episode 150120 / 20 Jan 2015
Harry and Feifei talk about an expression that is not as violent as it sounds
To downsize
Episode 150113 / 13 Jan 2015
Neil and Feifei talk about a word made popular by the economic downturn
At the movies
Episode 150106 / 06 Jan 2015
Sci-fi, romcom, whodunnit – What kind of movies do you like?
Killing time
Episode 141230 / 30 Dec 2014
Neil tells Helen to kill time but she smashes up a clock. Find out why and learn a useful expression.
Like turkeys voting for Christmas
Episode 141223 / 23 Dec 2014
Do you celebrate Christmas? Do you like eating turkey? Do you think turkeys like Christmas? Learn this humorous idiom
Face the music
Episode 141216 / 16 Dec 2014
There's something Neil's forgotten to do and now he has to face the music. Listen to the programme to find out why.
Internet speak
Episode 141209 / 09 Dec 2014
'Snail mail', 'post' and 'hard copy' – learn expressions connected with computers
Viral
Episode 141202 / 02 Dec 2014
Li's cat video has gone viral. Will she be happy about it? Learn an expression from the internet age
Give the cold shoulder
Episode 141125 / 25 Nov 2014
Is Feifei's designer shawl a solution to her problems with Lisa? Listen to the programme to find out
Phishing
Episode 141118 / 18 Nov 2014
Rob is deleting some emails. He won’t take the bait sent in by criminals!
Take to the cleaners
Episode 141111 / 11 Nov 2014
Rob's very expensive shirt is ruined! Who will pay for it? Listen to the programme to find out
