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Episode: The English We Speak: Shoehorn something in

Author: BBC Radio
Duration: 00:02:53

Episode Shownotes

Learn an expression that means force something in somewhere that it doesn't quite fit. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: ``https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish`/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-241125FIND` BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️

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Full Transcript

00:00:00 Speaker_05
This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

00:00:06 Speaker_01
World of Secrets is where untold stories are exposed and in this new series we investigate the dark side of the wellness industry, following the story of a woman who joined a yoga school only to uncover a world she never expected.

00:00:20 Speaker_07
I feel that I have no other choice. The only thing I can do is to speak about this.

00:00:26 Speaker_01
where the hope of spiritual breakthroughs leaves people vulnerable to exploitation.

00:00:31 Speaker_05
You just get sucked in so gradually and it's done so skillfully that you don't realise.

00:00:39 Speaker_01
World of Secrets, The Bad Guru. Listen wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

00:00:48 Speaker_03
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I'm Feifei and I'm joined by Georgie. Hi, Feifei. How are you? Very well, thank you.

00:01:01 Speaker_02
How are you, Georgie? I'm pretty good thank you too.

00:01:05 Speaker_02
Feifei, I've actually been reading a book lately and I was really enjoying it but towards the end the author just shoehorned in a random side plot that didn't really make sense with the rest of the story. It was quite disappointing.

00:01:17 Speaker_03
Oh no, what a shame. Now, you just used the phrase shoehorn something in and that's what we're learning in this programme. It's a verb with a couple of meanings. But I think it'll help our listeners if we explain what the noun shoehorn means first.

00:01:34 Speaker_02
OK, I can do that. A shoehorn is a piece of curved material, like plastic or metal, that we put in the back of a shoe to help our foot slide into the shoe more easily. Right.

00:01:45 Speaker_03
So you could say that it helps to squeeze your foot into a small or tight space. So the verb shoehorn something in means you force something to be included somewhere it doesn't quite fit.

00:01:57 Speaker_02
Yes, so Feifei, if you remember my example at the beginning about the author shoehorning a random plot into the story, that's about forcing ideas and concepts somewhere they don't belong. Let's hear more examples.

00:02:13 Speaker_00
I used to love using this app, but now they've shoehorned in loads of features and it's just too complicated.

00:02:20 Speaker_08
My friend recently started her own business and now she just shoehorns it into every conversation we have. It's so annoying.

00:02:28 Speaker_04
I really want to mention my website in the speech but I'm not sure I've got enough time. I'll just have to shoehorn it in at the end.

00:02:38 Speaker_03
So, metaphorically speaking, it can be about including ideas in places they don't belong. But it can also be about physical space, fitting larger things in a smaller space. A bit like shoehorning your foot into a shoe.

00:02:54 Speaker_02
That's right. So, for example, last night I was really surprised that the restaurant was able to shoehorn so many customers in such a small space. OK, let's recap.

00:03:04 Speaker_03
We learnt shoehorn something in, which means to force something to be included somewhere it doesn't quite fit or belong.

00:03:12 Speaker_02
Remember to check out our website bbclearningenglish.com for more resources to help you improve your English. Thanks for joining us. Bye. Bye. Thanks for listening to Learning English Vocabulary.

00:03:25 Speaker_02
Did you know we have a BBC Learning English email newsletter? Subscribe for our latest lessons, worksheets and quizzes and weekly tips to help you study. Just search BBC Learning English newsletter or follow the link in the notes for this programme.

00:03:46 Speaker_01
Yoga is more than just exercise. It's the spiritual practice that millions swear by. And in 2017, Miranda, a university tutor from London, joins a yoga school that promises profound transformation.

00:04:00 Speaker_07
It felt a really safe and welcoming space. After the yoga classes, I felt amazing.

00:04:07 Speaker_01
But soon, that calm, welcoming atmosphere leads to something far darker, a journey that leads to allegations of grooming, trafficking and exploitation across international borders.

00:04:21 Speaker_07
I don't have my passport, I don't have my phone, I don't have my bank cards, I have nothing.

00:04:25 Speaker_06
The passport being taken, the being in a house and not feeling like they can leave.

00:04:32 Speaker_01
World of Secrets is where untold stories are unveiled and hidden realities are exposed. In this new series, we're confronting the dark side of the wellness industry, where the hope of a spiritual breakthrough gives way to disturbing accusations.

00:04:47 Speaker_05
You just get sucked in so gradually. and it's done so skillfully that you don't realise. And it's like this, this secret that's there.

00:04:59 Speaker_07
I wanted to believe that, you know, that whatever they were doing, even if it seemed gross to me, was for some spiritual reason that I couldn't yet understand. Revealing the hidden secrets of a global yoga network. I feel that I have no other choice.

00:05:20 Speaker_07
The only thing I can do is to speak about this and to put my reputation and everything else on the line. I want truth and justice. and for other people to not be hurt, for things to be different in the future.

00:05:41 Speaker_05
To bring it into the light and almost alchemise some of that evil stuff that went on and take back the power.

00:05:52 Speaker_01
World of Secrets, Season 6, The Bad Guru. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.