Hunky-dory
Rob and Chris mention the phrase 'hunky-dory' to Helen. Are they trying to say that they are muscular men? Find out what this phrase means with The English We Speak.
Episodes
Learning English Conversations
Everyday expressions and real English conversations to help make your everyday conversations easier.
Find more at bbclearningenglish.com
Follow us at bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus
Episodes
Things are looking up
Helen gets confused when she hears that 'things are looking up'. Find out what this phrase means with The English We Speak.
My mind has gone blank
Rosie's mind has gone blank in the studio! Does that mean she's lost her memory? Listen to this programme to find out.
Shut up
Li and Rosie look at an expression which can be rude or jokey. Be careful how you use it!
Throw the book at somebody
Rosie arrives late again and she tells Helen that their boss will throw the book at her. Is he going to hurt her?
A finger in every pie
Jen made some delicious pies but what does it mean when we say she has 'a finger in every pie'?
Finding your feet
Helen and Rosie are doing a salsa class, but Rosie is still finding her feet. What does it mean?
The skin of your teeth
Jennifer managed to do something by the skin of her teeth. What does it mean?
No-win situation
Rob finds himself in a no-win situation although he wins a horse racing bet. What does it mean?
Plain sailing
Li joins Rob on a sailing boat. Listen to their excursion and learn some sailing idioms..
Down with the kids
Why is Rob dressing like a teenager? Find out in The English We Speak!
Quids in
Have you ever made a lot of money? Rob's got the right expression for Helen.
Sheepish
Helen is a bit puzzled by Neil's statement that she is looking rather sheepish. Find out what he means in The English We Speak.
Keep me posted
Neil gets in trouble with the police just to teach you a new expression! Find out more in The English We Speak.
To go bananas
Li thinks Neil is a bit out of control and says he's gone bananas. Has this got anything to do with fruit?
Not give someone the time of day
What does Rosie mean when she tells Li to put her money where her mouth is? Li is confused and thinks it's really disgusting. Listen to more of their conversation about this expression!
Put your money where your mouth is: 02 JUL12
What does Rosie mean when she tells Li to put her money where her mouth is? Li is confused and thinks it's really disgusting. Listen to more of their conversation about this expression!
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.
To bend over backwards
What are the different meanings of the phrase 'to bend over backwards'?
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.
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?
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?
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'.
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'.
No strings attached
In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'No strings attached'
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'
Call it a day
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
Learn phrases related to feet in this week's The English We Speak.
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.
Knickers in a twist
In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'knickers in a twist'.