Feifei: Hello and welcome to The English
We Speak. I'm Feifei.
Neil: And hello, I'm Neil. Phwa!
What is that smell?
Feifei: Rob's homemade cooking.
Neil: Rob cooks?!
Feifei: Yes, he does.
But it doesn't taste very nice.
Neil: So why do you have to eat it -
and why do have to make
the studio stink of it?
Feifei: Well, I don't want to offend him.
He keeps giving me his
homemade food and asking
me for some honest feedback.
And I just tell him 'it's interesting,
unique, special'.
Neil: Oh Feifei, you need
to keep a lid on it.
Feifei: Well, if you think that'll stop
the smell, I will.
Neil: That's not what I meant, although
it's a good idea. If you 'keep
a lid on something'
it means to keep something under control
- to stop the situation getting worse.
Feifei: OK, Neil!
Neil: Here are some examples
of this phrase in action.
I couldn't keep a lid on my feelings about
the rota so I shouted at the boss!
With rising food prices, it's hard to keep
a lid on how much I spend
at the supermarket.
Feifei: This is The English We Speak from
BBC Learning English and we're looking at
the phrase 'to keep a lid on something'
which means to keep something
under control and
to stop the situation from getting worse.
But this isn't the only meaning, is it?
Neil: No. If you keep a lid on something,
it can also mean you keep
something secret. Like this...
I've heard that Daisy is expecting a baby
- but keep a lid on it until it's official!
Feifei: OK Neil, you're telling me to keep
a lid on things by telling Rob to stop
giving me his homemade food?
Neil: Yes - unless his cooking is amazing.
Feifei: It's not.
Neil: Right, well tell him you're on a diet or
you've become vegan and
that should stop
him. And I will keep your little lie a secret.
Feifei: You mean, you'll keep a lid on it?
Neil: Exactly. But in the meantime, could
you actually keep a lid on that box of food
please? It stinks!
Feifei: OK. Right, I'm off to speak to Rob.
Bye.
Neil: Remember to be firm and
say what you mean.
Rob: Hi, Neil. Feifei doesn't seem
to want this delicious
food I made. Would
you like it?
Neil: Err... go on then. Looks lovely. Bye.