This week we're having an unscripted chat about what we would do if we won the lottery! This week's idiom is 'Crawling out of the woodwork.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can ...
Jun 15, 2021•11 min•Season 2Ep. 48
This week, we're tackling the thorny issue of prepositions associated with location - and the Idiom of the Week is 'At the drop of a hat.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can al...
Jun 08, 2021•10 min•Ep. 6416
In this episode we're considering some more of those little confusions of pronunciation and grammar that come up every now and then. Sylvia is giving her friend Mabel some much-needed encouragement in this week's Idiom of the Week, which is 'Butterflies in the stomach.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do ...
Jun 01, 2021•12 min•Season 2Ep. 46
This week, we're examining the very British habit of apologising - and the little old ladies find themselves in 'a sorry state of affairs', this week's idiom… Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future ...
May 25, 2021•12 min•Season 2Ep. 45
This week, we're all about abbreviations - and our intrepid detectives, Davidson and Roberts are illustrating the idiom 'On the QT' while on a stakeout. Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcas...
May 18, 2021•13 min•Season 2Ep. 44
This week, Mabel and Sylvia are helping us come up with some more phrasal verbs to do with health matters. The Idiom of the Week 'A Bitter Pill to Swallow.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future po...
May 04, 2021•10 min•Season 2Ep. 43
This week, we're having an unscripted chat about pet hates - things you really don't like - and Sylvia and Mabel, the two little old ladies, are illustrating the idiom 'To blow the whistle on someone.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you h...
Apr 27, 2021•15 min•Season 2Ep. 42
We did it! We got to episode 100! So in this week's episode, we're looking back on the last two years of Proper English, talking about the use of the word 'hundred' - and in this week's Idiom of the Week, one of our intrepid detectives appears to be unaware of a Red Letter Day. Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and w...
Apr 20, 2021•12 min•Season 2Ep. 41
This week, we're talking about Ali's favourite animals - elephants (I bet you thought I was going to say cats)! The Idiom of the Week is 'A White Elephant.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future po...
Apr 13, 2021•9 min•Season 2Ep. 40
This week we're talking about all the different words, phrases and idioms we have in English describe things or people that we find annoying. We use quite a few in this episode! And those two little old ladies, Mabel and Sylvia are back illustrating the Idiom of the Week - in the aftermath of the Parish Council elections, which one of them was 'beside themselves with rage', do you think? Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and ...
Apr 06, 2021•11 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Questions, questions, questions. We have been asked so many - and we're taking the opportunity to answer some of them this week. And those lovely old ladies are back, illustrating this week's idiom: 'All over bar the shouting.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email...
Mar 30, 2021•10 min•Season 2Ep. 38
This week, we're devoting a whole episode to answering a bunch of grammar-related questions that start 'What's the difference between…?' Meanwhile, our hapless detectives, Davidson and Roberts, are trying to solve of the mystery of who spilt the beans, which, coincidentally, is the Idiom of the Week! Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( pro...
Mar 23, 2021•13 min•Season 2Ep. 37
This week we're looking at words and phrases that enhance the meaning of verbs and other major word groups. Meanwhile, Roxy and Sergeant Roberts are defining the idiom 'Sticking your head above the parapet', in the aftermath of a disastrous team-building exercise. Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our be...
Mar 16, 2021•11 min•Season 2Ep. 36
This week, we're looking at vocabulary associated with the theatre - and this week's idiom is 'Let's get this show on the road!' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you can always conta...
Mar 09, 2021•11 min•Season 2Ep. 35
This month sees World Book Day being celebrated all round the world, so we thought we'd have an unscripted chat about books this week. The Idiom of the Week is 'Comparing apples with oranges.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any f...
Mar 02, 2021•12 min•Season 2Ep. 34
This week's episode is another in our occasional series concerned with phrasal verbs - this time we're looking at vocabulary associated with shopping! The two Yorkshire ladies are talking about clumsy grandchildren to illustrate the idiom 'A bull in a china shop.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our be...
Feb 23, 2021•9 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Despite the title, this is not a Valentine's Day special - it's all about three little words in the English language that can sometimes be a bit of a handful - this week's idiom is 'Sick as a parrot.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you ha...
Feb 16, 2021•12 min•Season 2Ep. 32
This week, we're talking about rude words - we're talking about them, but we're not saying them! Davidson and Roberts are back this week, talking about problems at work and the idiom 'To let off steam.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you ...
Feb 09, 2021•13 min•Season 2Ep. 32
This week, we're looking into the rules governing adjective order. You didn't know about them? Well, you will after this episode. The Idiom of the Week is 'Every cloud has a silver lining.' …and listen to the end for Misha's poem! Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an em...
Feb 02, 2021•12 min•Season 2Ep. 30
This week, we're talking about kicking up a fuss, being critical - yes, we're talking about complaining. Meanwhile, Roxy and Sgt Roberts are illustrating this week's Idiom: 'To nip it in the bud.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have a...
Jan 26, 2021•10 min•Season 2Ep. 29
This week, we're looking at two words: fun and funny - and we do our level best to explain the difference in meaning, and also their history and origins. The Idiom of the Week is 'a barrel of laughs.' No, really, it is. Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of...
Jan 19, 2021•9 min•Season 2Ep. 28
In this week's episode we're all about the perfect tenses - and those two little old ladies are back in the café, gossiping over their cups of tea about this week's idiom, 'A perfect storm.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any fee...
Jan 12, 2021•11 min•Season 2Ep. 27
It's a bumper episode this week! We're looking back on the antics and escapades of our resident detectives, Davidson and Roberts as they investigate intriguing cases and discover exciting idioms and phrasal verbs along the way. Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email...
Jan 05, 2021•21 min•Season 2Ep. 26
It's the end of the year, and so we're looking back on 2020 and looking forward to 2021. The idiom of the week is 'Another string to your bow.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you c...
Dec 29, 2020•11 min•Season 2Ep. 25
So here is it is - Merry Christmas! It's the festive episode, and this year we're talking about some of the Christmas traditions around the world - and those two old ladies are back, illustrating what we mean by the idiom 'All one's Christmases have come at once.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our be...
Dec 22, 2020•13 min•Season 2Ep. 24
This week's episode is an exercise in futility! Actually, that's what we're talking about. Futility. And how it has made such an impact on us that there are a large number of idioms to describe pointless actions. This week, we're making a point of looking at seven of them! Incidentally, you can find out more about The Scottish Play here: https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/quotes/page/5/ Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube...
Dec 15, 2020•11 min•Season 2Ep. 23
As you probably know, one of our favourite subjects is food. We love food and we love cooking. So this week, we thought we'd share a couple of our favourite recipes with you! And those two old ladies are back in the local café, gossiping about Mr White and Judy - and illustrating this week's Idiom: 'Out of the frying pan and into the fire.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related qu...
Dec 08, 2020•12 min•Season 2Ep. 22
This week, our intrepid detectives, Davidson and Roberts, are investigating the case of a missing person in a furniture store - while using a number of phrasal verbs to do with time! The Idiom of the Week is 'That's the way the cookie crumbles.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, ...
Dec 01, 2020•11 min•Season 2Ep. 21
So, what do you do in your spare time? Trainspotting, collecting teapots, playing chess… Everybody has a hobby, don't they?We talk about the origin of the word hobby and discuss the various hobbies we've both had over the years. The Idiom of the Week is 'To get on (or off) your high horse.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish...
Nov 24, 2020•12 min•Season 2Ep. 20
This week, it's about time. About time for what? we hear you ask. It's about time we talked about how the different ways we talk about time in the English language. The Idiom of the Week is 'Over the Hill.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and ...
Nov 17, 2020•11 min•Season 2Ep. 19
