Hello and welcome to The English We Speak
with me, Feifei…
…and me, Roy.
Roy, please will you sit down! It's really
annoying with you always just standing there!
No, I refuse to sit down! I haven't sat down
for the whole week. I heard you talking about
'a sticking point' the other day, and after
you played a joke on me and glued me to the
chair – I will not sit down ever again!
No, Roy! 'A sticking point' refers to a problem
or issue that prevents progress towards a
goal or an agreement. I was talking about
negotiating my new work contract – I think
I should be given 'unicorn truffles' everyday
as part of the job.
Wait, so a sticking point in your new
contract is that you want unicorn truffles?
Yes! I also asked for an eagle called Clive.
But I want unicorn truffles.
That's a great idea – I might ask for free
unicorn truffles too.
Sorry, Roy. That's only for amazing people
like me – now sit down and let's listen
to these examples.
Trade tariffs were a sticking point in the
negotiations.
Bob and Ahmed could not agree on the budget.
The amount spent on stationery was a real
sticking point.
The amount of time it would take to build
the railway was a sticking point when it came
to signing the final agreement.
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning
English and we’re talking about the
expression 'sticking point', which refers to
an issue or problem that blocks a
negotiation or an agreement.
I'm glad I could sit down – I was getting
really tired! So, have you finally stopped
playing your jokes around the office? Am I
safe again?
Yes, I've stopped! You're safe!
That's good – your jokes were a real sticking
point in our friendship!
Well, talking of sticking points, I'm off
to negotiate my new contract and get some
of those unicorn truffles! And my eagle!
I love unicorn truffles!
Well, there are some on that table over there.
You could have all of them, but sadly you're
stuck to a chair – again!! I got you again
with my prank!! Bye Roy!
Nooo!!!! Don't leave me stuck to a chair again!!!
Feifei!? Ohh, bye.