Learning English Conversations

BBC Radio•www.bbc.co.uk

Education

Language Learning

Everyday expressions and real English conversations to help make your English conversations easier.

Every week, we teach you a new phrase or word you can use in conversation with The English We Speak.

And we bring you special series to improve your English conversation.

Try Beating Speaking Anxiety to learn how to fight your fears of speaking English.

Find more at bbclearningenglish.com

Last refreshed: June 16th, 2026 at 10:33 AM

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Episodes

To fly by the seat of your pants

Can Chris fly by the seat of his pants? Li and Chris discuss the use of this phrase.

Jun 25, 2012•3 min

To bend over backwards

What are the different meanings of the phrase 'to bend over backwards'?

Jun 18, 2012•3 min

It's a joke

Does the expression 'it's a joke' mean something funny? Find out more in this week's The English We Speak.

Jun 11, 2012•3 min

What's the damage?

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase What's the damage?

Jun 04, 2012•4 min

Why the long face?

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase Why the long face?

May 28, 2012•3 min

To murder something

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'to murder something'.

May 21, 2012•4 min

Catch your eye

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'to catch someone's eye'.

May 14, 2012•3 min

No strings attached

In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'No strings attached'

May 07, 2012•3 min

A spanner in the works

In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'A spanner in the works'

Apr 30, 2012•3 min

Call it a day

In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'call it a day'

Apr 23, 2012•3 min

To take the weight off your feet

Learn phrases related to feet in this week's The English We Speak.

Apr 16, 2012•3 min

Comfort zone

Learn a phrase that has less to do with sofas and more to do with feelings in this week's The English We Speak.

Apr 09, 2012•3 min

Knickers in a twist

In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'knickers in a twist'.

Apr 02, 2012•5 min

To let the cat out of the bag

In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'To let the cat out of the bag'.

Mar 26, 2012•3 min

To paint the town red

In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'To paint the town'.

Mar 19, 2012•3 min

Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!

In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed'.

Mar 12, 2012•4 min

Wake up and smell the coffee!

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'Wake up and smell the coffee!'.

Mar 05, 2012•3 min

The English We Speak: Have your cake and eat it

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'Have your cake and eat it'.

Feb 27, 2012•3 min

The English We Speak: Happy Bunny

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'Happy bunny'.

Feb 20, 2012•4 min

The English We Speak: Get your hands dirty

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'Get your hands dirty'.

Feb 13, 2012•3 min

The English We Speak: Don't get me wrong!

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. In this edition of The English We Speak, Li finds Neil's cat 'just a bit surprising' and teaches us a useful phrase to prevent people taking offence at something.

Feb 06, 2012•3 min

The English We Speak: Dragon

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the meaning of the word 'Dragon'.

Jan 30, 2012•4 min

The English We Speak: Easy Tiger!

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'Easy tiger!'.

Jan 23, 2012•3 min

The English We Speak: Stuffed

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the words 'stuff' and 'stuffed'.

Jan 16, 2012•3 min

The English We Speak: Bubbly

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the word 'bubbly'.

Jan 09, 2012•3 min

The English We Speak: All the trimmings

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week we talk about Christmas and the phrase 'all the trimmings'.

Jan 02, 2012•3 min

The English We Speak: Cheesy

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at new meanings of the word 'cheesy'.

Dec 26, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: Work for peanuts

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'work for peanuts'.

Dec 19, 2011•4 min

The English We Speak: Sinking Feeling

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'sinking feeling'.

Dec 12, 2011•4 min

The English We Speak: Head over Heels

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'head over heels'.

Dec 05, 2011•3 min

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