BBC Learning English - The English We Speak / On point

Learning English

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Introduction

Learn a new phrase about perfection. If something is the best it can possibly be, you can say it's on point. It could be a comment, clothes, advice or even Neil's meeting! Find out more in this programme.

Transcript

Neil
Welcome to The English We Speak, with me, Neil…

Feifei
And me, Feifei.

Neil
We have an expression which is used to say that something is perfect, the best it can be or relevant. It’s ‘on point'.

Feifei
‘On point’. How do we use it, Neil?

Neil
I gave a presentation last week to my colleagues on digital sales strategy, and my boss was really impressed. He said my workshop was ‘on point’.

Feifei
Great! Your presentation was really good, and you gave perfect explanations.

Neil
Thanks. I was wearing a clean suit and freshly ironed shirt. I looked on point.

Feifei
You did look very smart!

Neil
Let’s hear some more examples.

Examples
My cauliflower bake was really on point at the vegan wedding.

My bosses’ comments about improving business profits were on point.

My beard looks on point after using a new lotion.

Feifei
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we are learning the expression 'on point', which is an informal way of saying that something is at the best level that it could be – or even perfect.

Neil
Yes! On point can also be used to mean that something is perfectly appropriate for a situation, for example the perfect comment at the right time could be described as 'on point'.

Feifei
Yes, like when a teacher or boss gives you advice that really helps you – you could say the advice was on point.

Neil
Exactly – when I was younger, my teacher advised me to focus on English as that was my strong subject. Her advice was on point. Now I'm an English teacher!

Feifei
You certainly are. Thank you for listening. Goodbye.

Neil
Bye!

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