Hello and welcome to The English We Speak.
I’m Feifei.
And I'm Roy! Feifei, have you listened to
the latest song by my favourite band,
Dragon Tennis?
Dragon Tennis are a terrible band
who make dreadful music. Mic drop!
What?! I think the lead singer dropped
the microphone once.
You can't hate them because of that!
No, Roy. We say 'mic drop' at the end of a
sentence after we have made an impressive
or pertinent point in a discussion,
rendering the conversation over.
Oh, so our conversation is finished?
OK. Well, that makes sense about
the expression 'mic drop'.
Yes, we can also use it after you've
just finished roasting someone.
Yes, for example: Feifei, your taste in
music is terrible which is why you don't
appreciate Dragon Tennis. Mic drop!
Very good example, but not true.
Let's listen to these examples.
Your idea is the worst thing
I've ever heard! Mic drop.
I can't believe he ended his
message with 'mic drop'.
He's so wrong and the discussion is not over!
This is undoubtedly the best game ever.
Mic drop!
This is The English We Speak from
BBC Learning English, and we’re talking about
the expression 'mic drop', which is commonly
used at the end of a discussion when someone
makes a point that ends the conversation.
Yes, it's quite common in messages or emails.
It's also seen with the verb 'perform'.
That's right: 'perform a mic drop'.
I use this a lot when I'm discussing
things with people and I know I'm right.
It's true that you say that a lot.
I think you've explained the
expression really well.
It's true! My job here is done. Mic drop!
Very good use of 'mic drop'.
What else shall we teach now?
Nothing. I was serious when I said mic drop.
Bye.
Bye!
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak.
I'm Feifei.
And I'm Roy! Hey, Feifei, do you fancy doing
some karaoke tonight with me and Rob?
No, I do not. The last time we went out with
Rob, you two managed to upset everyone.
Everyone left. He is tone deaf!
His singing is not that bad!
His mum says he's got a lovely voice!
No, Roy.
While tone deaf can relate to someone who
can't hear notes and has difficulty singing –
like you - it can also mean someone who
is unaware or insensitive to a situation.
Ah, so you mean the fact that Rob
said that he prefers cats during the
annual dog welfare meeting.
Yes, that was a bit off.
He always says the wrong
things at the wrong time!
He really is tone deaf.
Let's listen to these examples.
People who say they've enjoyed
lockdown can sound a bit tone deaf.
So many people have lost their jobs.
We've all been working so hard.
The boss seemed tone deaf when
he rejected our pay rise.
I can't believe Sarah said she
doesn't believe in global warming
to those activists. She's tone deaf.
This is The English We Speak from
BBC Learning English, and we're
talking about the expression 'tone deaf'.
It can be used to describe someone
who can't sing, but also has
a secondary meaning that refers
to someone who can't understand
the sensitive nature of a situation.
Yes. It's an interesting development of the meaning.
So, 'deaf' refers to someone who can't hear,
while 'tone deaf' describes someone
who can't hear different tones or sounds.
Yes, that's right. And the new meaning
is for someone who says the wrong
thing at the wrong time - like Rob.
Yes, it sometimes gets used to refer to
authority figures who say something that seems
to be out-of-touch with a certain situation.
That's right! And, Roy, please don't sing tonight.
You really are tone deaf when it comes to singing.
Your singing makes dogs bark.
Yeah, maybe that's for the best.
But then I think the dogs just want
to be in the same band as me.
I could create a new band
called 'Roy and the Dogs'.
I can't believe you just said that!
I just formed a band called
'Feifei and the Cats'.
Your comment was tone deaf.
Bye, Roy.
Bye!
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak
with me, Feifei.
There you go, Feifei, one
skinny cappuccino for you.
Thanks, Neil. It's good to get away
from the office, and I like this cafe.
It's very stylish, for you!
I will take that as a compliment.
Now, shall we get down to business?
'Get down to business'?
Do we have to talk about business?
I thought we'd forget about work,
relax, talk about... your holiday plans.
Where are you going this year?
Sorry, Feifei, we need
to talk shop for a minute.
Shoppping! I'd love to talk about shopping.
No. Talk shop.
Which shop?
Our shop. I mean our work.
To talk shop means to talk about work,
even when you're not at work!
Oh right! And do we talk shop to just anyone?
No, Feifei, just to the people we work with.
I don't think anyone else would be interested.
Let's hear from some more
people who are 'talking shop’.
We went to the pub to celebrate Rob's
birthday but inevitably we started talking shop!
I bumped into my boss on the train home
tonight and he talked shop all the way to my stop.
We've been at work all day, let's all have
some fun and not talk shop please!
This is The English We Speak from
BBC Learning English and we're talking
about the phrase 'talk shop'.
It means to talk to people you work with
about work, even when you're not at work.
So come on then, Neil.
Let's talk about work, if we have to.
Thanks. I brought you to this cafe so we could
talk about all the scripts I've got to write.
You want me to write some scripts,
that's why you bought me a coffee?
Of course not. I just need some ideas for
some authentic English phrases to write about.
That's why I needed to...
... talk shop.
Exactly.
No! 'Talk shop', that's an English
phrase you can write about.
Brilliant, Feifei! Wow, these
scripts just write themselves.
Fancy another coffee?
Only if we stop talking shop!
Bye.
Neil, what are you doing?
That's the biggest spreadsheet I've ever seen!
Hi, Feifei. Yes, just you wait.
I'm developing a product that will
revolutionise English teaching!
Great. So why are you looking at
screens of numbers?
Not numbers, data. Big data!
This is what I need.
And that is the expression we're
talking about in The English We Speak.
How do you plan to use this data?
I haven't figured it out yet.
But that's not important.
Everyone's talking about big data.
It is a hot topic.
But big data is all about analysis.
You need to know what to do with all that data.
Right.
What you are looking at is a list of
football scores from every country in 1987?!
Ah, yes. Not useful?
Sadly not! Let's listen to this
explanation of what big data actually is.
We are surrounded by data.
Every time we use social media, buy
something online, or even search
for information, we are creating data.
Because there's so much of it,
and because it comes
in many forms, we call it big data.
Companies collect and analyse big data
to discover hidden trends and patterns.
For example, online retailers use big data
to learn what kinds of things customers like,
so they can suggest new products to buy.
You're listening to The English We
Speak from BBC Learning English.
Our expression in this
programme is 'big data'.
So, Neil, how's your research going now?
Not well. It's hard to know where to start.
Well, you'll probably need information
on things like spending patterns on
language learning apps, key times users
log in and how long sessions last,
how demand varies by language level,
data on first languages, data on
which kind of content is most...
OK. Stop, stop, stop. I'm trying
to write all this down. Feifei?
Yes?
Can I hire you as a big data analyst?
Sorry, Neil, you're too late.
I'm launching a product of my own.
It helps predict football scores.
In fact, I need a bit more data from...1987!
Well, I might just be able
to help you out there!
Yes, I think you were actually
looking at my screen earlier.
Sorry! You know, I think I'll leave
this big data stuff to the experts.
Bye.
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!? Oh, bye.
Hello everyone. This is The English We Speak
with me, Feifei.
And me, Rob.
Hey, Feifei, this is all a bit weird, isn't it?
A bit weird? What do you mean?
Well, us not being in the same studio.
You not being able to make me a cup of tea.
Us not going out for lunch.
It's not… it's not normal!
It's certainly different, Rob.
But it's good to have some time apart, isn't it?
I don't know. It's not like it used to be.
Things have changed.
Well, Rob, this is the new normal.
It's a new English expression that describes
the way people will live their lives during
and after this coronavirus outbreak.
Oh right. Does that mean I get
some new examples as well?
It does, and here they are.
After lockdown, things won't be the same
- we'll have to get used to a new normal.
Getting up at 6am and going for a run every
day is my new normal and it feels good.
The new normal means working from
home more and not going into the office.
This is The English We Speak from
BBC Learning English, and in this programme
we're learning about the expression 'new normal',
which describes the way people will live their
lives during and after the coronavirus outbreak.
Rob, I'm sure we'll get used to the new normal.
Sometimes it's good to change our routine.
Yes, but I like my routine: go to the office,
drink tea, eat biscuits, talk to you, go for lunch.
Hmmm, maybe the 'new' normal will be
good for your health and your work.
Come on, Feifei, there must be something
about old normal that you miss?
Let me have a think... making you tea,
listening to your stories, giving you
my biscuits - no, I think I'll get used to the
new normal - and so should you, Rob.
OK, Feifei. I'll give it a try.
Now, I'd better go and do some work.
Wow! That's not normal.
That sounds like a new Rob! Bye.
Bye.
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak
with me, Feifei.
And me, Rob.
We may sound a little different.
That’s because we are not able to record in our
normal studios during the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, Rob, why are you wearing those
funny rubber shoes today?
Well, it’s in preparation for today’s phrase, Feifei!
What? Our English expression today
has nothing to do with wearing shoes!
Ah, but these are special rubber shoes to
stop me sliding down any slippery slopes.
That is what we’re talking about, isn’t it?
Hmm, well sort of but it’s not really about
slipping down a slope – only metaphorically.
Right, so it has got something to do with
easily descending downhill into something?
Yep. We describe a situation that is getting
worse and will end in disaster unless it is
stopped, as a slippery slope.
Listen to these examples.
Having a glass of wine with your dinner is
a slippery slope – you’ll end up finishing
the whole bottle by the end of the evening.
Juan was on a slippery slope to getting
the sack when he started missing
important meetings with clients.
He’s on the slippery slope to failure if he
keeps missing the deadlines for his assignments.
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning
English and we’re talking about the expression
‘a slippery slope’, which describes a
situation that is only going to get worse.
It’s basically a situation or problem
that is going downhill!
OK, so I won’t be needing these
slip-resistant shoes, then.
Hmm, but they are very comfortable.
I might keep wearing them actually.
Oh no, Rob, it’ll be a slippery slope.
Why’s that?
Well, if you keep wearing them without socks…
…everyone will laugh at me?
No, your feet will smell and then nobody
will want to sit next to you!
Charming! Well it’s a good job I’m self-isolating!
Bye, Feifei.
Bye, Rob.
Hello and welcome to The English
We Speak with me, Feifei.
And me, Neil. Nice coat you were
wearing this morning, by the way.
Thanks! In this programme we have
an expression which describes a
certain kind of shopper who likes to
return items they've bought and
get their money back.
What's wrong with that?
Nothing if there's a problem with the items
but shops, particularly online retailers
say they're losing lots of money because
people are regularly returning items –
possibly even after they're used them.
They're called 'serial returners'.
And this isn't about breakfast cornflakes is it?
No, Neil. The 'serial' in this
expression means 'repeat'.
You might have heard the expression a 'TV serial'.
It means there are many episodes.
And that was a nice new coat you
had on yesterday, by the way, Feifei.
Oh, thanks.
Very different from the one you were
wearing the day before that…
and the day before that.
What are you suggesting, Neil?
Oh, nothing, nothing… shall we hear some examples
of our expression 'serial returner'?
Oh no, this customer has sent back an
order for the fifth time this month.
If we don't block these serial returners,
we're going to go out of business!
I buy about £400 worth of clothes every month.
No way! You must be rich.
Not really. I return about £300 worth.
I'm one of those serial returners.
And in business news, online clothes
shops are introducing new measures
to make it harder for so-called serial
returners to get refunds on their orders.
You're listening to The English We Speak
from BBC Learning English.
In this programme, we're looking at
the expression 'serial returner'.
It's used to talk about people who return
lots of items they've bought – usually online.
So, as I was saying, you've had a nice new
coat on every day for the last… well, month.
Did you win the lottery?
No, there is a perfectly innocent explanation.
Yes, you're a serial returner, aren't you?
Absolutely not! I just knew we were
going to make this programme on the
expression 'serial returner' and thought I
needed to do a little… research.
Ha! It's very important to do
proper research, I agree.
Bye!
Now, which one's your favourite?
The pea-green one with the furry collars.
Are you going to keep it?
Nah, too expensive!
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak
with me, Feifei.
And me, Roy.
We may sound a little different.
That’s because we are not able to record in our
normal studios during the coronavirus outbreak.
There has been a lot of discussion about
self-isolation and staying at home,
and in this programme we have an
expression to talk about the stress
you may feel in that situation.
That’s right Feifei. Today, we’re going
to talk about ‘cabin fever’.
Cabin fever is the reaction to feeling
trapped or isolated in a building for too long.
It can be really stressful.
This expression probably comes from people
being trapped and not able to leave a
small wooden house known as a cabin.
The may not have been able to leave due
to extreme weather conditions like
a snowstorm, as these buildings are often
found on mountains or hills.
People can become sad, restless and
even lack concentration.
They may also get food cravings,
which in turn may lead to weight changes.
That’s right. It’s a really serious thing,
and it can cause you to suffer from anxiety.
Which is why we’re going to tell you some
things that experts say you can do to help
you cope with cabin fever.
Yes, we’ll let you know right after these
examples using the words ‘cabin fever’.
I started to suffer from cabin fever after
I was stuck at home for two weeks.
Some scientists think that cabin fever is
linked to the feeling of claustrophobia
– the fear of being in closed places.
He said he felt really anxious and that
he was suffering from cabin fever after
not being able to leave his house.
He also said he had gained weight.
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning
English and we’re talking about the expression
‘cabin fever’, which is the feeling of
stress from isolation that some people experience
when they stay in a building for an extended time.
But apparently there are some ways that you
can cope if you’re suffering from cabin
fever, aren’t there Feifei?
That’s right. One of the first things they
say to do is to set regular meal times, so
kind of like a routine – much like you would
have if you were going to work.
Yes, this helps regularity and limits
binge eating and weight issues.
Also, it’s important to try and stimulate your mind.
Things like television are OK for distraction,
but they don’t overly stimulate you.
Something like reading a book may be
more interesting and keep your mind active.
Yes, and doing things like puzzles or crosswords
can also help. I really enjoy doing quizzes online.
Also, you should make sure your friends and families
are coping if they are in the same situation.
Absolutely. A phone call to someone to check on
them may really help them, and you can also
give them the same advice we’re giving you now.
Finally, it’s important to set goals.
Try to achieve things in your day to keep you focussed.
You could even make weekly goals depending
on how long your isolation will be for.
Hey, why not try writing a book?
That’s an idea. Bye, Roy.
Bye.
Hello I'm Feifei and this is
The English We Speak.
And hello, this is Rob. And it's an important
day in the office today, isn't it Feifei?
Err, is it?
Yes, it is! Remember that big project
we've all been working on?
Errr. A big project?
Yes, well it's crunch time.
Oh great, I'm starving. I'll get my crisps.
No, I didn't say 'lunch time'.
I know. You said 'crunch time': time to
start crunching these delicious crisps.
I love crisps.
No, no, I didn't mean it's time to crunch crisps.
Crunch time is an important or critical time when
a decisive or difficult decision has to be made.
And it's crunch time for our big project.
If you say so, Rob. Why don't I
finish these crisps while we hear some
examples of the expression 'crunch time'?
We've reached crunch time in our relationship.
I'm going to ask my boyfriend to move in with me.
I wonder what he'll say?
The team are doing well but come crunch
time, will they score that vital goal?
It's crunch time for us tomorrow.
That's when we find out if our building
plans have been approved.
This is The English We Speak
from BBC Learning English.
We're finding out about the expression
'crunch time', which describes an important
moment in a situation where a difficult
or decisive decision has to be made.
But, Rob, I'm still not clear why it's crunch
time for our big office project?
Come on, Feifei, you know, the project
we've been working on for months.
Oh, you mean the biscuit project?
Exactly! We have to decide today which
biscuits we're going to buy for our meetings.
And if we don't order them today, we won't
have anything to eat in tomorrow's meeting.
So, Rob, your crunch time is just about
what you'll be crunching tomorrow.
You really need to change your priorities.
I think I've reached 'crunch time' in this programme.
What's that? You've got a big decision to make?
Yes, to finish this programme or finish my crisps?
Ah, shall we just eat the crisps?
OK. Bye.
Bye. Pass them over then! Mmm.
Thank you so much for watching this video.
I hope you enjoyed it.
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