Hello and welcome to
The English We Speak.
I’m Feifei.
And I'm Roy! 10, 9, 8, 7…
What are you doing?
And why are you dressed like an astronaut?
I'm practising my countdown for when
we head to the Moon.
6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
We have lift off!
Please stop!
In this programme we're teaching
the expression 'moonshot', which refers
to an ambitious project carried out without
any expectation of short-term profitability.
It does not mean we're going to the Moon!
Where did you get that a spacesuit from?
I found it… in my garden. That definition
of 'moonshot' makes more sense.
Now I understand why people have
been talking about a moonshot vaccine.
Exactly! An experimental vaccine to
fight Covid-19! You're really learning!
Well, while I take this spacesuit off,
let’s have some examples…
We're investing in a moonshot
vaccine to help fight the virus.
I'm not sure if their new driverless
EV will ever come to market.
It's a bit of a moonshot.
The project is a moonshot.
It might not help the company
in the short-term.
This is The English We Speak from
BBC Learning English, and we’re talking
about the expression ‘moonshot’ which
refers to a project that is experimental
and doesn't necessarily have any
short-term financial benefits.
Yes – so the most common reference
recently has been the moonshot vaccines
or moonshot testing to fight Covid-19.
The phrase has a lot in common
with 'shoot for the moon' - the idea
of aiming for an ambitious target.
That's right – that’s some real moonshot
thinking right there! You always have
some ambitious ideas – like the time
you wanted everyone to dress like
squirrels and run around Hyde Park.
Thanks, Feifei! That was for charity.
I always like to shoot for the Moon
with my ideas.
You certainly do!
But Roy, you look a bit down.
What's wrong?
It's sad that we're not going to the Moon.
I once made my own spaceship out
of a packet of crisps, a tennis ball
and some duct tape. Sadly, it didn't work –
it was a bit of a moonshot.
I wish you were going to the Moon –
it would certainly be quieter in the office.
Bye Roy.
Bye.