Learning English Conversations
Episodes
Burn a hole in your pocket
26 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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
19 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
How to describe doing a thorough search for something in a very messy way
Going forward
12 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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
05 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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
29 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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
22 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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
15 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
What time of the year describes a good mood? Learn this lively and cheerful phrase
Six of one, half a dozen of the other
01 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Is this expression related to numbers? If half a dozen is six, what does this expression mean? Listen to the programme
Test the water
23 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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
16 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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
09 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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
26 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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 behavio...
In good nick
19 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Learn a phrase to describe something in top condition
Cheap and cheerful
12 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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
05 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
When a situation is hard to accept, what do you say? This phrase could be for you
I'm game
22 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Neil is dying for a game of squash but Li is not game. Find out why...
That'll put hairs on your chest!
15 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Learn a humorous expression that is used when someone is going to have a strong alcoholic drink
Down the pan
01 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
When things are not going as planned, we can say they've gone ‘down the pan’, but which pan is it?
Sweet tooth
17 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have a sweet tooth? Is it something that you are born with or do you develop it?
Bumper-to-bumper
10 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
When a car bumper is almost touch another car bumper, you know the situation on the road is bad
Eye candy
03 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
How can you describe someone good looking but not interesting?
Thingy
27 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Oh no, you've forgotten the word for something! Don't worry, this expression might help
Across the pond
20 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Are London and New York separated by a pond? Learn this expression people say on both sides of the Atlantic
People person
13 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Are you good at working with other people? This expression might describe you
It's a steal!
06 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Have you paid very little money for something normally expensive? Learn an expression for when you find a bargain
Bull and bear market
29 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Learn what you say when share prices rise and when they fall. We help you to understand financial terms
Social media words
22 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
'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
15 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
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
08 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
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
01 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
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 ha...
Give me credit
18 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
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
11 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Who's that knocking at the door? Someone's here to tell you you're in financial trouble
Red tape
14 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Fed up with rules and regulations? You must learn this expression
To drink someone under the table
30 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
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
16 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Is there someone tormenting you online? Here's an expression for when people hide behind a computer to attack others
A close shave
19 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
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
12 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
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
05 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Find out how 'sleeping on it' doesn't just mean lying on a bed!
All over the place
28 Apr 2015
Contributed by Lukas
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
21 Apr 2015
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Done and dusted
14 Apr 2015
Contributed by Lukas
When someone says the phrase 'done and dusted', do they mean doing some proper cleaning?
Chill pill
07 Apr 2015
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard to swallow but maybe it's time for a chill pill!
Put a sock in it!
31 Mar 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Why has Helen put a sock in the toaster and how is that going to keep her quiet?
A wild card
31 Mar 2015
Contributed by Lukas
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
17 Mar 2015
Contributed by Lukas
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
10 Mar 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Li and Neil go for a coffee, but why do they have to keep a lid on it?
To be on the ball
03 Mar 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Learn a phrase to describe the ability to react quickly to things.
Mind-blowing
24 Feb 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Feifei and Harry use an expression for things that amaze and astound.
Out for the count
17 Feb 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Neil and Li talk about how a boxing expression can be used in everyday life.
Game changer
10 Feb 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Feifei and Harry use an expression for people and ideas that change the way we do things.
Wow factor
03 Feb 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Harry and Feifei look at an expression for when things surprise and impress you.
Full on
27 Jan 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Harry and Feifei talk about a common colloquial expression for when things are intense.
Stab in the back
20 Jan 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Harry and Feifei talk about an expression that is not as violent as it sounds.
To downsize
13 Jan 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Neil and Feifei talk about a word made popular by the economic downturn
At the movies
06 Jan 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Sci-fi, romcom, whodunnit – What kind of movies do you like?
Killing time
30 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
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
23 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Do you celebrate Christmas? Do you like eating turkey? Do you think turkeys like Christmas? Learn this humorous idiom
Face the music
16 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
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
09 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
'Snail mail', 'post' and 'hard copy' – learn expressions connected with computers
Viral
02 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Li's cat video has gone viral. Will she be happy about it? Learn an expression from the internet age
Give the cold shoulder
25 Nov 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Is Feifei's designer shawl a solution to her problems with Lisa? Listen to the programme to find out
Phishing
18 Nov 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Rob is deleting some emails. He won't take the bait sent in by criminals!
Take to the cleaners
11 Nov 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Rob's very expensive shirt is ruined! Who will pay for it? Listen to the programme to find out
Eat humble pie
04 Nov 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Is Rob hungry enough to win a pie-eating competition? Listen to the programme
Water off a duck's back
28 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Feifei has a thing or two to learn from the ducks in the park. So do you. Listen to the programme.
Take for a ride
21 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Li wants to invest in a car moved by air. Is she going to lose her money?
Baby phrase
14 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Is Feifei giving up her job to take care of babies? Learn an amusing idiom: 'Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater'.
Joe Bloggs
07 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know Joe Bloggs? He might be just beside you.
Butter up
29 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Is this butter for a cake, for toast or... to put on a person? Finn and Feifei explain
Hair of the dog
22 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Rob had too much to drink. Is this the cure for his hangover?
Splash Out
15 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Finn is spending a lot of money. But can he afford it?
Cheesed off
08 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Finn is angry, so Li offers him some tasty cheese. Will it calm him down?
Frogmarch
01 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
A style of walking that is hard to do on your own.
Proof is in the pudding
22 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What does Rob mean when he says 'the proof is in the pudding'?
Dinosaur
18 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the link between dinosaurs and mobile phones?
Look like the back end of a bus
11 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
If someone says you look like 'the back end of a bus', is it a good thing?
Interjections
04 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Wow! Ouch! Yippee! The useful little sounds which mean a lot.
Blah blah blah
28 Jul 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Having a repetitive and boring conversation? This expression is for you.
Have a lot on my plate
21 Jul 2014
Contributed by Lukas
When is a meal not so tasty? This expression will give you the answer
Bells and whistles
14 Jul 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Will bells and whistles add to the value of your gadget? Listen to the programme
Everything but the kitchen sink
07 Jul 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Neil and Li are going on a camping trip. But are they packing too much?
Beat the drum
30 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Neil and Li want to help protect baby turtles. But do they need a drum?
Until the cows come home
23 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Neil and Li are keen to go home. How long will they have to wait for the bus?
Smell a rat
16 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Li is told she won the lottery. But is it true? Neil has bad news for her.
Funny ha-ha or funny peculiar
09 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
When does 'funny' have nothing to do with laughter?
Corporate speak
02 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Blue-sky thinking? Pushing the envelope? Learn what these business terms mean
Take it with a pinch of salt
26 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Helen takes Neil out for tea but why does she put salt in his cup? Find out more
Cold feet
19 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Rob wants a pay rise. But why do his 'cold feet' stop him asking for one?
Not enough room to swing a cat
12 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard to find the right place to live. Here's an expression about space.
Off the back of a lorry
05 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Buying something really good but super cheap? This expression will make you think twice.
Wrong 'un
28 Apr 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Li and Finn are looking on an online dating website. Li thinks she's found Mr Right. But Finn thinks he might be a wrong 'un. Learn more about this ph...
Pie in the sky
21 Apr 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Finn and Li are in the woods. Can they see more than birds flying in the sky?
On the tip of my tongue
14 Apr 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Can't quite remember what to say? We have a phrase that might help you.
Under your belt
07 Apr 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean if you say an actor has lots of awards under his belt?
To brush over
31 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
When you are decorating, there are some things you can't brush over
Go the extra mile
24 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
How can Feifei save money for a new car? Will she go the extra mile?
Beat around the bush
17 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Li go camping but they are not alone. Join them to learn a phrase
The boot's on the other foot
10 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
How are boots connected to a changing situation?
Pull the plug
03 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Rob is having serious problems with a project. Li wants to help him. But how? Listen to the programme to find out.
In the doghouse
24 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Behave or you might end up in the kennel with your dog. Learn a new phrase.