Sign in
Education
BBC Radio
Everyday expressions and real English conversations to help make your everyday conversations easier. Find more at bbclearningenglish.comFollow us at
bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus
Take to the cleaners
Rob's very expensive shirt is ruined! Who will pay for it? Listen to the programme to find out
03:0211/11/2014
Eat humble pie
Is Rob hungry enough to win a pie-eating competition? Listen to the programme
03:0704/11/2014
Water off a duck's back
Feifei has a thing or two to learn from the ducks in the park. So do you. Listen to the programme.
03:0328/10/2014
Take for a ride
Li wants to invest in a car moved by air. Is she going to lose her money?
03:1621/10/2014
Baby phrase
Is Feifei giving up her job to take care of babies? Learn an amusing idiom: 'Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater'.
03:3214/10/2014
Joe Bloggs
Do you know Joe Bloggs? He might be just beside you.
03:2307/10/2014
Butter up
Is this butter for a cake, for toast or... to put on a person? Finn and Feifei explain
02:5829/09/2014
Hair of the dog
Rob had too much to drink. Is this the cure for his hangover?
03:4822/09/2014
Splash Out
Finn is spending a lot of money. But can he afford it?
04:1515/09/2014
Cheesed off
Finn is angry, so Li offers him some tasty cheese. Will it calm him down?
02:4608/09/2014
Frogmarch
A style of walking that is hard to do on your own.
03:0101/09/2014
Proof is in the pudding
What does Rob mean when he says 'the proof is in the pudding'?
03:1222/08/2014
Dinosaur
What’s the link between dinosaurs and mobile phones?
02:4318/08/2014
Look like the back end of a bus
If someone says you look like 'the back end of a bus', is it a good thing?
02:4311/08/2014
Interjections
Wow! Ouch! Yippee! The useful little sounds which mean a lot.
03:5904/08/2014
Blah blah blah
Having a repetitive and boring conversation? This expression is for you.
03:5528/07/2014
Have a lot on my plate
When is a meal not so tasty? This expression will give you the answer
03:1821/07/2014
Bells and whistles
Will bells and whistles add to the value of your gadget? Listen to the programme
03:2014/07/2014
Everything but the kitchen sink
Neil and Li are going on a camping trip. But are they packing too much?
03:2807/07/2014
Beat the drum
Neil and Li want to help protect baby turtles. But do they need a drum?
02:5130/06/2014
Until the cows come home
Neil and Li are keen to go home. How long will they have to wait for the bus?
03:0523/06/2014
Smell a rat
Li is told she won the lottery. But is it true? Neil has bad news for her.
03:4716/06/2014
Funny ha-ha or funny peculiar
When does 'funny' have nothing to do with laughter?
02:4909/06/2014
Corporate speak
Blue-sky thinking? Pushing the envelope? Learn what these business terms mean
03:2202/06/2014
Take it with a pinch of salt
Helen takes Neil out for tea but why does she put salt in his cup? Find out more
02:4426/05/2014
Cold feet
Rob wants a pay rise. But why do his 'cold feet' stop him asking for one?
03:1219/05/2014
Not enough room to swing a cat
It's hard to find the right place to live. Here's an expression about space.
02:5112/05/2014
Off the back of a lorry
Buying something really good but super cheap? This expression will make you think twice.
03:0705/05/2014
Wrong 'un
Li and Finn are looking on an online dating website. Li thinks she's found Mr Right. But Finn thinks he might be a wrong 'un. Learn more about this phrase in the programme.
02:5428/04/2014
Pie in the sky
Finn and Li are in the woods. Can they see more than birds flying in the sky?
02:4121/04/2014
On the tip of my tongue
Can't quite remember what to say? We have a phrase that might help you.
03:0514/04/2014
Under your belt
What does it mean if you say an actor has lots of awards under his belt?
02:4507/04/2014
To brush over
When you are decorating, there are some things you can't brush over
02:5831/03/2014
Go the extra mile
How can Feifei save money for a new car? Will she go the extra mile?
03:0424/03/2014
Beat around the bush
Rob and Li go camping but they are not alone. Join them to learn a phrase
03:2117/03/2014
The boot's on the other foot
How are boots connected to a changing situation?
02:5110/03/2014
Pull the plug
Rob is having serious problems with a project. Li wants to help him. But how? Listen to the programme to find out.
02:3603/03/2014
In the doghouse
Behave or you might end up in the kennel with your dog. Learn a new phrase.
02:5924/02/2014
Chew the fat
Rob and Feifei share a hearty meal and a new phrase. Join them to learn more.
03:1017/02/2014
Treading on eggshells
What are you treading on if you're trying not to offend someone? We can explain.
03:0410/02/2014
Take a rain check
What does 'taking a rain check' mean? Do we need an umbrella?
03:0103/02/2014
Use your loaf
What's the connection between bread and common sense? You might need this expression.
02:5127/01/2014
Stumped
Playing cricket is not the only place where you could get stumped. Find out what it means when it happens to you.
03:0820/01/2014
Skeleton in the closet
Finn and Li go to his late uncle's house. What is Li afraid of? We hope this expression won't frighten you.
03:2413/01/2014
To have words
Why is Finn cross with Li? Here's a good expression for when you're out of patience.
02:5806/01/2014
Crystal clear
If something is crystal clear, how clear is it? Rob and Feifei find out when they build a wardrobe.
03:1130/12/2013
Ginormous
The glass and steel buildings of modern Shanghai are ginormous. What does this mean?
03:0623/12/2013
Take the mickey
Who is laughing at Rob? Is it Li or is it Mickey Mouse? Here's an expression with a twist
03:2916/12/2013
Fishing for compliments
What are you hoping to catch when you're fishing for compliments?
03:3909/12/2013
Go round in circles
Which way are you going if you're not making any progress? Discover a phrase to use when you keep coming back to the same problem.
03:0802/12/2013