Synopsis
Every week, we look at a different everyday English phrase or piece of slang in this fun three-minute programme. From BBC World Service
Episodes
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Haven't slept a wink
03/06/2013 Duration: 03minZzzz... Neil had a crying child in his room and Feifei had a mosquito in hers. That's why neither of them has slept a wink.
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I wasn't born yesterday
20/05/2013 Duration: 03minWere you born yesterday? Probably not, but this is a useful expression if someone's trying to fool you.
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To cook the books
06/05/2013 Duration: 03minNeil is cooking an unusual meal in the BBC Learning English kitchen. Would you like to eat a book?
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A white elephant
08/04/2013 Duration: 02minDoes Finn have to look after his uncle's white elephant? Find out more with The English We Speak.
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Finger on the pulse
01/04/2013 Duration: 03minFinn has his finger on the pulse when Feifei says that she has no clue about some actors in a movie. What does it mean?
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Cut the mustard
25/03/2013 Duration: 03minCan Feifei cut the mustard to win a cooking contest? Find out more with The English We Speak.
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To miss the boat
18/03/2013 Duration: 03minDoes Feifei really need a lifejacket to go to Finn's uncle's party? Find out more about this phrase in this programme.
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To take (something) on board
11/03/2013 Duration: 03minLi and Rob are going on a holiday and are getting ready at the airport. But Rob is very surprised to find Li carrying so many things that she is not allowed to take on board. Find out more with The English We Speak.
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The writing is on the wall
04/03/2013 Duration: 03minVera gets angry with Dominic when Rob mentions the phrase 'the writing is on the wall'. Is Dominic being naughty?
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Every Tom Dick and Harry
25/02/2013 Duration: 03minKaz invites Tom, Dick and Harry to the studio and introduces them to Yang Li. Who are they?
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Act your age, not your shoe size
18/02/2013 Duration: 02minAbigail tells Rob to act his age not his shoe size. But what does this mean?
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Go to town
08/02/2013 Duration: 02minWhy does Abigail keep saying she's 'going to town'? And what has it got to do with red food? Find out here.
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Over the moon
01/02/2013 Duration: 03minSomeone in the office is over the moon about getting a new job. Find out what that really means in this week's programme.
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To know your onions
28/01/2013 Duration: 03minRob gets Li to help him with some quiz answers. Does she know her onions? Find out more about this phrase here.
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Take with a pinch of salt
21/01/2013 Duration: 03minWhy does Li think that there is a ghost in her house? Find out more here.