Learning English Conversations

The English We Speak: Ham-fisted

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here's an expression about clumsiness. [Image: Getty] For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com Find a full transcript ...

The English We Speak: Second nature

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here's an expression that means you can do something without having to think about it, because it's so familiar to you. [Image: Getty] For more great ...

The English we speak: Take the plunge

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com (Image: Getty)Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to ...

The English We Speak: Peaks and troughs

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever felt like you’re on the rollercoaster of life and you don’t know a good way to say it?(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for thi...

The English We Speak: Heavy lifting

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Heavy lifting isn’t about the gym. Learn this expression here.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes t...

The English We Speak: Stir the pot

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Some people just love causing trouble. This expression is about them!(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more program...

The English We Speak: Wishy-washy

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here's an expression to use when things are just too vague.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to hel...

The English We Speak: Shook

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A word to express surprise or shock.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English...

The English We Speak: Let loose

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

An expression that means relax and celebrate.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with you...

IMPORTANT: This podcast is changing its name

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast is changing its name! Don’t worry, you will still be able to learn new expressions with The English We Speak. And we’ll also have som...

Zing

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Zing is that special something that's hard to describe, but makes things more exciting.

Do the trick

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here's an expression that describes something solving a problem.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes t...

Beige flag

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Lay it on thick

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

An expression about exaggerating or praising someone too much.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to ...

Telling porkies

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

In on it

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We have an phrase which means to know about something or to be involved in it.

Walk someone through

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Brick by brick

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Read the room

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s a phrase that means to work out how people feel. Learn how to use it!

Cook up an idea

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 bbclearning...

Rinse repeat

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Beth and Feifei explain how to use this expression to describe repetitive tiresome actions. Find a full transcript for this episode and more programme...

A million to one

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here's an expression to say something is extremely unlikely

Cash in on something

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about making money.

Make your hair stand on end

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s a phrase about things that scare you. Learn how to use it in this programme.

On the go

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A phrase to describe how busy you are

A blow

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What a blow! It's so disappointing. Learn how to use this with us

Rears its head

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Want to talk about problems? Here's a useful phrase

Elbow grease

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Some things just need a little elbow grease. Learn what that is in this programme.

Bring something to the party

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You want to say that you can offer a lot. Learn a phrase for this.

Light up like a Christmas tree

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Has something suddenly made you look very happy? Learn an expression for this.

I don't buy it

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Here's an expression you can use to say 'I don't believe you'

Touch grass

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you spend too much time online? Here's an expression you can use to say 'take a break'.

I'm out

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes you need to say you don't have anything left. Learn 'I'm out'.

Plan b

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you need an alternative option, you need to know this phrase. Learn how to use it.

Sound out

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes you just want to find out what someone else thinks.

Fly by night

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When companies or people can't be trusted, use this expression.

One-up

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you want to beat your friends by saying what you have done that is better than them?

Tread on someone's toes

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It can be annoying when someone does something you were supposed to do.

Mental gymnastics

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do we talk about complicated tasks done by your brain?

Call dibs

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to get the last slice of pizza, what can you say?

Run for the hills

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What makes you want to run for the hills?

Each to their own

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you feel when someone does something that you would never do, but it's OK?

Fill your boots

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you are presented with an opportunity, how can you tell some to take advantage?

Join the club

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How to tell someone that the bad situation they are experiencing is the same as yours.

Go with the flow

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase to say that you are happy to do what other want to do

Cakeism

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about wanting to have two good things at the same time.

Drip feed

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about giving information little by little.

Scatterbrain

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about this word that describes someone disorganised or forgetful.

Be in with a shout

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase for winning!

On point

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A phrase all about being perfect!

Kiss something goodbye

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An expression with 'kiss' that's not about kissing!

Productivity theatre

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about pretending to work.

Pet hate

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to describe your annoyance

On the table

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase often used in business.

Jump through hoops

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about the challenge of getting something done.

It happens to the best of us

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When someone makes a mistake, learn what to say to make them feel better.

Famous last words

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A phrase about telling someone they'll be wrong.

Hard pass

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about saying 'no' firmly.

Level up

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

'Level up' your English and learn a new word!

Get with the programme

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn an idiom used to encourage someone to accept new ideas or techniques.

Shout-out

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to praise or thank someone publicly.

Fitspiration

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Get fit with this new word!

Hats off

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about impressing people.

Under your breath

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Make sure you're heard with this expression.

Be at a loss

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn an expression for when you're not sure what to say or do in a certain situation.

Go off on one

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn an informal expression about becoming suddenly very angry.

Wiggle room

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase for when you need to change a budget to do something else.

(It's the) story of my life

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase you can use to describe a bad situation.

No ifs or buts

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Stop making excuses and learn this expression!

Caught red-handed

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn an expression about being caught doing something wrong.

Rabbit on

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about talking too much.

Thanks a bunch

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When does ‘thanks’ not mean ‘thanks’? Find out about an ironic English phrase.

Slow walk

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you describe something making slow progress?

Take something to heart

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about taking advice or criticism personally and very seriously.

Take something to heart

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If someone takes something to heart, what does it mean?

Know the score

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about understanding the situation.

Jog your memory

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about remembering.

A flying start

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn an expression we use to say a new task is going very well.

Steal someone's thunder

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you get more attention than someone else, what are you doing? Here's a useful phrase!

Call it a day

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A phrase about doing enough

Off the top of my head

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you don’t have the facts and figures at hand, you have to make a quick guess.

Change for the better

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you want to make a positive change for 2023? We have an expression for you to learn.

The gift that keeps on giving

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about receiving presents.

Quiet quitting

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about just doing enough.

Hang in there

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Times can be challenging but don’t give up. We have a phrase to spur you on.

Bite your tongue

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What does ‘bite your tongue’ mean?

Win hands down

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An easy phrase for an easy win!

Fever pitch

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The men’s football World Cup is coming, and excitement has reached fever pitch!

Twiddle your thumbs

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A phrase for boring times.

Get your act together

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A phrase about good organisation.

Dog's dinner

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn this phrase to describe a complete mess.

Sitting pretty

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase to describe a good situation.

Feast your eyes

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes you can be amazed at what you see. Learn an expression for these moments.

Put the brakes on

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about stopping or slowing down an activity.

Second-guess

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you don't know what's going to happen next, you have to guess.

Ins and outs

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about a new expression and why Feifei gets a shock!

Yes and no

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Not all answers in life are 'yes' or 'no'. Learn why with this phrase.

Eat your words

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a phrase about being wrong.

Bug someone

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes people or things just annoy you. Learn a phrase about this.

Willy-nilly

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn an informal expression about doing things without planning.