Hello! This is The English We Speak,
I'm Feifei...
...and I'm Rob.
We may sound a little different. That's
because we are not able to record
in our normal studios
during the coronavirus outbreak.
This programme comes with
a safety warning! It involves bullets
- well, not real ones. That would be
dangerous. Toy bullets ... just
to illustrate the point.
Bullets! What English expression
mentions bullets?!
I will explain - and, Rob, you can help.
Here is a toy bullet...
Where did you get that from?!
Don't ask. Now, Rob, would you put it
between your teeth please?
What? Are you crazy?!
Please, Rob. It would really
help our audience.
OK, Feifei! Here goes... Right, I am
biting the bullet.
So, Rob, you are being brave and
forcing yourself to do something
unpleasant, but necessary.
I didn't force myself, you told me to do it!
Sorry, Rob, I can't understand you - but
when someone 'bites the bullet',
they are forced
to do, or accept that they have to do
something difficult or unpleasant.
Let's hear some examples
of other people who have
to bite the bullet...
I have a pile of work to finish, so I'm going
to have to work all night - I guess I'll have
to bite the bullet.
If I'm going get fit, I'll have to bite the
bullet and start going to the gym. Urghh!
If you want to start dating Jitka you're
going to have to bite the bullet
and ask her out!
This is The English We Speak from BBC
Learning English, and we're
talking about the expression
'to bite the bullet'. It describes having
to do something unpleasant
or difficult, but
necessary.
So, can I stop biting a bullet now, please?
Not yet, Rob. What you are
doing is 'necessary'.
Yes, but it's not easy speaking with
a bullet in your mouth.
Exactly! Peace and quiet. But careful, Rob.
Don't swallow it - otherwise things could
get very unpleasant.
Thanks for the advice, Feifei... ooops.
Bye, Rob.
Bye.