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Everyday expressions and real English conversations to help make your everyday conversations easier. Find more at bbclearningenglish.comFollow us at
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In good nick
Learn a phrase to describe something in top condition
02:0419/01/2016
Cheap and cheerful
Most people like a present that is cheap and cheerful. But no one likes something that is cheap and nasty
02:0512/01/2016
A bitter pill to swallow
When a situation is hard to accept, what do you say? This phrase could be for you
02:5805/01/2016
I'm game
Neil is dying for a game of squash but Li is not game. Find out why...
01:5922/12/2015
That'll put hairs on your chest!
Learn a humorous expression that is used when someone is going to have a strong alcoholic drink
02:3815/12/2015
Down the pan
When things are not going as planned, we can say they've gone ‘down the pan’, but which pan is it?
02:1801/12/2015
Sweet tooth
Do you have a sweet tooth? Is it something that you are born with or do you develop it?
02:2717/11/2015
Bumper-to-bumper
When a car bumper is almost touch another car bumper, you know the situation on the road is bad
02:2310/11/2015
Eye candy
How can you describe someone good looking but not interesting?
02:2403/11/2015
Thingy
Oh no, you've forgotten the word for something! Don't worry, this expression might help
02:1127/10/2015
Across the pond
Are London and New York separated by a pond? Learn this expression people say on both sides of the Atlantic
02:3020/10/2015
People person
Are you good at working with other people? This expression might describe you
02:2313/10/2015
It's a steal!
Have you paid very little money for something normally expensive? Learn an expression for when you find a bargain
02:3806/10/2015
Bull and bear market
Learn what you say when share prices rise and when they fall. We help you to understand financial terms
02:5729/09/2015
Social media words
'Trolls' and 'haters' are the people who want to annoy you. The names are part of the new vocabulary of social media
02:3322/09/2015
Don't give up the day job
If you don't think someone is very good at doing something what should you say? Here's a phrase to help you
02:3115/09/2015
A barrel of laughs
What object is full of laughs? This is a phrase that describes someone who is fun
02:5508/09/2015
To know something like the back of your hand
Do you know a place very well? Are you able to find your way in a place without looking at any maps? Here is a way of saying it with help from your hand
02:1901/09/2015
Give me credit
Learn a phrase that's full of praise. You won't need a credit card to use this one
02:4218/08/2015
To keep the wolf from the door
Who's that knocking at the door? Someone's here to tell you you're in financial trouble
02:4411/08/2015
Red tape
Fed up with rules and regulations? You must learn this expression
02:3214/07/2015
To drink someone under the table
Drink to celebrate the good things in life, drink to forget the bad. Here's an expression for people who like an alcoholic drink
02:2430/06/2015
Cyberbullying
Is there someone tormenting you online? Here's an expression for when people hide behind a computer to attack others
02:3116/06/2015
A close shave
What's a razor got to do with Rob's bike ride to work? Here's an expression for when you've had a narrow escape.
02:1119/05/2015
My mind's gone blank
Why did Rob ask Feifei to meet him in the studio? Here's an expression for when you've forgotten something.
02:0712/05/2015
To sleep on it
Find out how 'sleeping on it' doesn't just mean lying on a bed!
02:3905/05/2015
All over the place
Neil can't find his script. His pen's gone missing. He's feeling a bit confused. What's wrong with him? Find out in the programme.
02:0528/04/2015
To go around the houses
Feifei wants to borrow Rob's car but she takes a long time getting to the point. Find out why Rob tells her not to go around the houses. And why doesn't Rob want her to drive his car?
02:4521/04/2015
Done and dusted
When someone says the phrase 'done and dusted', do they mean doing some proper cleaning?
02:2214/04/2015
Chill pill
It's hard to swallow but maybe it's time for a chill pill!
02:4307/04/2015
Put a sock in it!
Why has Helen put a sock in the toaster and how is that going to keep her quiet?
03:1431/03/2015
A wild card
Who's the wild card in the office? Rob and Feifei use a phrase to describe an unpredictable colleague.
02:1231/03/2015
To take a shot / stab in the dark
Feifei thinks someone's been killed but then discovers taking a stab in the dark doesn't involve using knives!
02:4917/03/2015
To keep a lid on it
Li and Neil go for a coffee, but why do they have to keep a lid on it?
02:4210/03/2015
To be on the ball
Learn a phrase to describe the ability to react quickly to things.
01:4003/03/2015
Mind-blowing
Feifei and Harry use an expression for things that amaze and astound.
03:1624/02/2015
Out for the count
Neil and Li talk about how a boxing expression can be used in everyday life.
02:3117/02/2015
Game changer
Feifei and Harry use an expression for people and ideas that change the way we do things.
03:0010/02/2015
Wow factor
Harry and Feifei look at an expression for when things surprise and impress you.
02:5803/02/2015
Full on
Harry and Feifei talk about a common colloquial expression for when things are intense.
02:4927/01/2015
Stab in the back
Harry and Feifei talk about an expression that is not as violent as it sounds.
02:4020/01/2015
To downsize
Neil and Feifei talk about a word made popular by the economic downturn
02:2313/01/2015
At the movies
Sci-fi, romcom, whodunnit – What kind of movies do you like?
02:4006/01/2015
Killing time
Neil tells Helen to kill time but she smashes up a clock. Find out why and learn a useful expression.
02:3330/12/2014
Like turkeys voting for Christmas
Do you celebrate Christmas? Do you like eating turkey? Do you think turkeys like Christmas? Learn this humorous idiom
02:3823/12/2014
Face the music
There's something Neil's forgotten to do and now he has to face the music. Listen to the programme to find out why.
02:0016/12/2014
Internet speak
'Snail mail', 'post' and 'hard copy' – learn expressions connected with computers
03:1709/12/2014
Viral
Li's cat video has gone viral. Will she be happy about it? Learn an expression from the internet age
02:5702/12/2014
Give the cold shoulder
Is Feifei's designer shawl a solution to her problems with Lisa? Listen to the programme to find out
02:3425/11/2014
Phishing
Rob is deleting some emails. He won't take the bait sent in by criminals!
02:2718/11/2014