Chew the fat
17 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Feifei share a hearty meal and a new phrase. Join them to learn more.
Treading on eggshells
10 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What are you treading on if you're trying not to offend someone? We can explain.
Take a rain check
03 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What does 'taking a rain check' mean? Do we need an umbrella?
Use your loaf
27 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What's the connection between bread and common sense? You might need this expression.
Stumped
20 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Playing cricket is not the only place where you could get stumped. Find out what it means when it ha...
Skeleton in the closet
13 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Finn and Li go to his late uncle's house. What is Li afraid of? We hope this expression won't fright...
To have words
06 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Why is Finn cross with Li? Here's a good expression for when you're out of patience.
Crystal clear
30 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
If something is crystal clear, how clear is it? Rob and Feifei find out when they build a wardrobe.
Ginormous
23 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The glass and steel buildings of modern Shanghai are ginormous. What does this mean?
Take the mickey
16 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Who is laughing at Rob? Is it Li or is it Mickey Mouse? Here's an expression with a twist
Fishing for compliments
09 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
What are you hoping to catch when you're fishing for compliments?
Go round in circles
02 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Which way are you going if you're not making any progress? Discover a phrase to use when you keep co...
Bottomless
25 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Li starts to get worried when her colleagues talk about going for a 'bottomless' meal. What does it ...
Full of beans
18 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Are you feeling tired today? Or are you full of beans? Learn more about this phrase in this programm...
To go with a bang
11 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
You don't need fireworks to say a party is going really well.
Other half
04 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Do you always consult with your other half before you make important decisions?
Bits and bobs
28 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Neil says he has a lot of 'bits and bobs' to sort out. What does he mean?
Nosh
21 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Feifei spots a celebrity in the lift who says he's going to get some nosh. Rob has to explain exactl...
Ace
14 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Do you like playing cards? Are you ace at playing cards? Join us for an 'ace' programme.
Beef
07 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Beef is meat that comes from a cow, right? Yes, but there is another meaning... Find out more here.
Out of the picture
30 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Finn has got his camera. Who does Feifei want to see in the picture?
Cut to the chase
23 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Who's chasing Finn and Feifei? Here's a good expression for when you're running out of patience
Have a ball
16 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Feifei has just returned to the office after a really relaxing holiday. So why does Finn ask her if ...
Don't make a scene!
09 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Neil and Feifei are about to watch a play but there is a lot of drama outside the theatre. What is g...
Phone slang
02 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
When is a bell not a bell, and a dog not a dog? Find out in our programme about phone slang.
Can of worms
26 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the...
What's his face?
19 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
What do you say in English if you can't remember someone's name? Listen to this programme to learn l...
Straight from the horse's mouth
12 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn English with horses. In fact, learn it 'straight from the horse's mouth' in this programme.
After
05 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Join Li and Finn for a drink in the bar and learn a new way to ask someone what they want.
Weather idioms
29 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Using weather idioms: is Jen chasing rainbows, or is it a storm in a teacup?
Legend
23 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Legends are stories about people who lived long ago, right? Well, there's more to it than that.
It's doing my head in!
15 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Annoyed? Frustrated? Angry? Maybe it's doing your head in!
The bee's knees
08 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Finn wants to share some special food with Li. But they receive some uninvited guests who also want ...
To put all your eggs in one basket
01 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
How many eggs should you put in one basket? And what has that got to do with taking risks?
Don't make me laugh!
24 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
It's laughable. How to say that you think something will never happen.
A leopard can't change its spots
17 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Can someone change their personality? A leopard can't change its spots.
To see red
10 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Seeing red: what is making Jen and Feifei so angry on their day trip?
Haven't slept a wink
03 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Zzzz... Neil had a crying child in his room and Feifei had a mosquito in hers. That's why neither of...
Freak
27 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Are you obsessed by a hobby or sport? Feifei is but Jen's not impressed!
I wasn't born yesterday
20 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Were you born yesterday? Probably not, but this is a useful expression if someone's trying to fool y...
Six-pack
13 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have a six-pack or a one-pack? Maybe it's time to do more exercise! Find out why in The Engli...
To cook the books
06 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Neil is cooking an unusual meal in the BBC Learning English kitchen. Would you like to eat a book?
On the up
29 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Things are 'on the up' for Jennifer and Jean at work. Find out why in The English We Speak.
LOL!
22 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know what this text message abbreviation means? Find out with Jennifer and Rob in this week's...
Makeover
15 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Feifei thinks that Catherine looks better, younger, prettier. Why does Catherine look so different t...
A white elephant
08 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Does Finn have to look after his uncle's white elephant? Find out more with The English We Speak.
Finger on the pulse
01 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Finn has his finger on the pulse when Feifei says that she has no clue about some actors in a movie....
Cut the mustard
25 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Can Feifei cut the mustard to win a cooking contest? Find out more with The English We Speak.
To miss the boat
18 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Does Feifei really need a lifejacket to go to Finn's uncle's party? Find out more about this phrase ...
To take (something) on board
11 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Li and Rob are going on a holiday and are getting ready at the airport. But Rob is very surprised to...
The writing is on the wall
04 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Vera gets angry with Dominic when Rob mentions the phrase 'the writing is on the wall'. Is Dominic b...
Every Tom Dick and Harry
25 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Kaz invites Tom, Dick and Harry to the studio and introduces them to Yang Li. Who are they?
Act your age, not your shoe size
18 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Abigail tells Rob to act his age not his shoe size. But what does this mean?
Go to town
08 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Why does Abigail keep saying she's 'going to town'? And what has it got to do with red food? Find ou...
Over the moon
01 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Someone in the office is over the moon about getting a new job. Find out what that really means in t...
To know your onions
28 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Rob gets Li to help him with some quiz answers. Does she know her onions? Find out more about this p...
Take with a pinch of salt
21 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Why does Li think that there is a ghost in her house? Find out more here.
Not rocket science
14 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Find out what the expression 'not rocket science' means in this programme.
Go down a storm
07 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Kaz says his party 'went down a storm'. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Find out here.
Chuffed
31 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Kaz is feeling very chuffed today. Find out what this phrase means in this programme.
Hit the ground running
24 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Kaz decides to 'hit the ground running' in this week's programme. Find out what this phrase means by...
Language of the blogosphere
17 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Finn has entered the blogosphere! Find out what this word means in The English We Speak.
Irons in the fire
10 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Jen tells Helen that she has a few 'irons in the fire' for her fortnight off work. Learn a phrase to...
Man flu
03 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Li is worried when she learns that Neil has caught man flu. But how will she react when she finds ou...
Drop dead gorgeous
26 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Li is worried when Jen says somebody is 'drop dead gorgeous'. What does this phrase mean?
Celeb (Celebrity): 19 Nov
19 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Vera teaches Rob how and when to use the word 'celeb' in a modern society. Find out more in The Engl...
Emoticon: 12 Nov
12 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Vera have a misunderstanding about an email. Listen to this programme to find out why emotic...
Keep your chin up!: 5 Nov
05 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Rob tells Vera to 'keep her chin up'. But what does he mean? Find out with this week's programme.
Cost an arm and a leg
29 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Rob goes shopping but the clothes cost 'an arm and a leg'. What does this mean?
Hunky-dory
22 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Rob and Chris mention the phrase 'hunky-dory' to Helen. Are they trying to say that they are muscula...
Things are looking up
15 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Helen gets confused when she hears that 'things are looking up'. Find out what this phrase means wit...
My mind has gone blank
08 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Rosie's mind has gone blank in the studio! Does that mean she's lost her memory? Listen to this prog...
Shut up
01 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Li and Rosie look at an expression which can be rude or jokey. Be careful how you use it!
Throw the book at somebody
24 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Rosie arrives late again and she tells Helen that their boss will throw the book at her. Is he going...
A finger in every pie
17 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Jen made some delicious pies but what does it mean when we say she has 'a finger in every pie'?
Finding your feet
10 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Helen and Rosie are doing a salsa class, but Rosie is still finding her feet. What does it mean?
The skin of your teeth
03 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Jennifer managed to do something by the skin of her teeth. What does it mean?
No-win situation
27 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Rob finds himself in a no-win situation although he wins a horse racing bet. What does it mean?
Plain sailing
20 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Li joins Rob on a sailing boat. Listen to their excursion and learn some sailing idioms..
Down with the kids
13 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Why is Rob dressing like a teenager? Find out in The English We Speak!
Quids in
06 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever made a lot of money? Rob's got the right expression for Helen.
Sheepish
30 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Helen is a bit puzzled by Neil's statement that she is looking rather sheepish. Find out what he mea...
Keep me posted
23 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Neil gets in trouble with the police just to teach you a new expression! Find out more in The Englis...
To go bananas
16 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Li thinks Neil is a bit out of control and says he's gone bananas. Has this got anything to do with ...
Not give someone the time of day
09 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
What does Rosie mean when she tells Li to put her money where her mouth is? Li is confused and think...
Put your money where your mouth is: 02 JUL12
02 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
What does Rosie mean when she tells Li to put her money where her mouth is? Li is confused and think...
To fly by the seat of your pants
25 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Can Chris fly by the seat of his pants? Li and Chris discuss the use of this phrase.
To bend over backwards
18 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
What are the different meanings of the phrase 'to bend over backwards'?
It's a joke
11 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Does the expression 'it's a joke' mean something funny? Find out more in this week's The English We ...
What's the damage?
04 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the...
Why the long face?
28 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the...
To murder something
21 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the...
Catch your eye
14 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the...
No strings attached
07 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'No strings attached'
A spanner in the works
30 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'A spanner in the wor...
Call it a day
23 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'call it a day'
To take the weight off your feet
16 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn phrases related to feet in this week's The English We Speak.
Comfort zone
09 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn a phrase that has less to do with sofas and more to do with feelings in this week's The Englis...
Knickers in a twist
02 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'knickers in a twist'...
To let the cat out of the bag
26 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'To let the cat out o...