Podcasts
Sign in
Podcasts
home_filled
Explore shows
list
Subscriptions
playlist_add
Queue
add
Add by RSS Feed
Settings
Help
Content policies
Publisher guidelines
Send feedback
open_in_new
Get the Android app
open_in_new
Get the iOS app
Privacy
·
Terms
The English We Speak
BBC
Subscribe
Visit website
Make the English you speak sound more natural with The English We Speak from bbclearningenglish.com. Every week, we look at a different everyday English phrase or piece of slang in this fun three-minute programme.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
4 days ago
Plan b
If you need an alternative option, you need to know this phrase. Learn how to use it.
2 min
playlist_add
Nov 21, 2023
Sound out
Sometimes you just want to find out what someone else thinks.
3 min
playlist_add
Nov 14, 2023
Fly by night
When companies or people can't be trusted, use this expression.
2 min
playlist_add
Nov 14, 2023
One-up
Do you want to beat your friends by saying what you have done that is better than them?
2 min
playlist_add
Oct 31, 2023
Tread on someone's toes
It can be annoying when someone does something you were supposed to do.
3 min
playlist_add
Oct 24, 2023
Mental gymnastics
How do we talk about complicated tasks done by your brain?
3 min
playlist_add
Oct 17, 2023
Call dibs
If you want to get the last slice of pizza, what can you say?
4 min
playlist_add
Oct 10, 2023
Run for the hills
What makes you want to run for the hills?
2 min
playlist_add
Sep 26, 2023
Each to their own
How do you feel when someone does something that you would never do, but it's OK?
3 min
playlist_add
Sep 19, 2023
Fill your boots
If you are presented with an opportunity, how can you tell some to take advantage?
2 min
playlist_add
Sep 12, 2023
Join the club
How to tell someone that the bad situation they are experiencing is the same as yours.
2 min
playlist_add
Sep 5, 2023
Go with the flow
Learn a phrase to say that you are happy to do what other want to do
3 min
playlist_add
Aug 29, 2023
Cakeism
Learn a phrase about wanting to have two good things at the same time.
4 min
playlist_add
Aug 22, 2023
Drip feed
Learn a phrase about giving information little by little.
2 min
playlist_add
Aug 15, 2023
Scatterbrain
Learn about this word that describes someone disorganised or forgetful.
2 min
playlist_add
Aug 8, 2023
Be in with a shout
Learn a phrase for winning!
3 min
playlist_add
Aug 8, 2023
On point
A phrase all about being perfect!
2 min
playlist_add
Jul 25, 2023
Kiss something goodbye
An expression with 'kiss' that's not about kissing!
3 min
playlist_add
Jul 18, 2023
Productivity theatre
Learn a phrase about pretending to work.
3 min
playlist_add
Jul 11, 2023
Pet hate
Learn how to describe your annoyance
5 min
playlist_add
Jul 4, 2023
On the table
Learn a phrase often used in business.
4 min
playlist_add
Jun 27, 2023
Jump through hoops
Learn a phrase about the challenge of getting something done.
4 min
playlist_add
Jun 20, 2023
It happens to the best of us
When someone makes a mistake, learn what to say to make them feel better.
2 min
playlist_add
Jun 13, 2023
Famous last words
A phrase about telling someone they'll be wrong.
3 min
playlist_add
Jun 6, 2023
Hard pass
Learn a phrase about saying 'no' firmly.
3 min
playlist_add
May 30, 2023
Level up
'Level up' your English and learn a new word!
2 min
playlist_add
May 23, 2023
Get with the programme
Learn an idiom used to encourage someone to accept new ideas or techniques.
2 min
playlist_add
May 16, 2023
Shout-out
Learn how to praise or thank someone publicly.
2 min
playlist_add
May 9, 2023
Fitspiration
Get fit with this new word!
6 min
playlist_add
May 2, 2023
Hats off
Learn a phrase about impressing people.
2 min
playlist_add
Apr 25, 2023
Under your breath
Make sure you're heard with this expression.
4 min
playlist_add
Apr 18, 2023
Be at a loss
Learn an expression for when you're not sure what to say or do in a certain situation.
3 min
playlist_add
Apr 11, 2023
Go off on one
Learn an informal expression about becoming suddenly very angry.
2 min
playlist_add
Apr 4, 2023
Wiggle room
Learn a phrase for when you need to change a budget to do something else.
2 min
playlist_add
Mar 28, 2023
(It's the) story of my life
Learn a phrase you can use to describe a bad situation.
2 min
playlist_add
Mar 21, 2023
No ifs or buts
Stop making excuses and learn this expression!
2 min
playlist_add
Mar 14, 2023
Caught red-handed
Learn an expression about being caught doing something wrong.
2 min
playlist_add
Mar 7, 2023
Rabbit on
Learn a phrase about talking too much.
3 min
playlist_add
Feb 28, 2023
Thanks a bunch
When does ‘thanks’ not mean ‘thanks’? Find out about an ironic English phrase.
3 min
playlist_add
Feb 21, 2023
Slow walk
How do you describe something making slow progress?
3 min
playlist_add
Feb 14, 2023
Take something to heart
Learn a phrase about taking advice or criticism personally and very seriously.
2 min
playlist_add
Feb 13, 2023
Take something to heart
If someone takes something to heart, what does it mean?
2 min
playlist_add
Feb 7, 2023
Know the score
Learn a phrase about understanding the situation.
2 min
playlist_add
Jan 31, 2023
Jog your memory
Learn a phrase about remembering.
2 min
playlist_add
Jan 24, 2023
A flying start
Learn an expression we use to say a new task is going very well.
2 min
playlist_add
Jan 17, 2023
Steal someone's thunder
If you get more attention than someone else, what are you doing? Here's a useful phrase!
2 min
playlist_add
Jan 9, 2023
Call it a day
Make the English you speak sound more natural
2 min
playlist_add
Jan 3, 2023
Off the top of my head
When you don’t have the facts and figures at hand, you have to make a quick guess.
2 min
playlist_add
Dec 23, 2022
Change for the better
Do you want to make a positive change for 2023? We have an expression for you to learn.
2 min
playlist_add
Dec 20, 2022
The gift that keeps on giving
Learn a phrase about receiving presents.
3 min
playlist_add
Dec 13, 2022
Quiet quitting
Learn a phrase about just doing enough.
3 min
playlist_add
Dec 6, 2022
Hang in there
Times can be challenging but don’t give up. We have a phrase to spur you on.
3 min
playlist_add
Nov 29, 2022
Bite your tongue
What does ‘bite your tongue’ mean?
2 min
playlist_add
Nov 22, 2022
Win hands down
An easy phrase for an easy win!
4 min
playlist_add
Nov 15, 2022
Fever pitch
The men’s football World Cup is coming, and excitement has reached fever pitch!
3 min
playlist_add
Nov 8, 2022
Twiddle your thumbs
A phrase for boring times
2 min
playlist_add
Nov 8, 2022
Get your act together
A phrase about good organisation.
2 min
playlist_add
Oct 25, 2022
Dog's dinner
Learn this phrase to describe a complete mess.
2 min
playlist_add
Oct 11, 2022
Feast your eyes
Sometimes you can be amazed at what you see. Learn an expression for these moments.
2 min
playlist_add
Oct 4, 2022
Put the brakes on
Learn a phrase about stopping or slowing down an activity.
2 min
playlist_add
Sep 26, 2022
Second-guess
If you don't know what's going to happen next, you have to guess.
3 min
playlist_add
Sep 20, 2022
Ins and outs
Learn about a new expression and why Feifei gets a shock!
2 min
playlist_add
Sep 13, 2022
Yes and no
Not all answers in life are 'yes' or 'no'. Learn why with this phrase.
2 min
playlist_add
Sep 13, 2022
Eat your words
Learn a phrase about being wrong.
2 min
playlist_add
Sep 13, 2022
Bug someone
Sometimes people or things just annoy you. Learn a phrase about this.
2 min
playlist_add
Aug 23, 2022
Willy-nilly
Learn an informal expression about doing things without planning.
3 min
playlist_add
Aug 22, 2022
Willy-nilly
A random phrase
4 min
playlist_add
Aug 16, 2022
Gnarly
Do you find something disgusting? Use this word to describe it.
2 min
playlist_add
Aug 9, 2022
Smash it
Learn a phrase to give encouragement
3 min
playlist_add
Aug 2, 2022
A doddle
Is this phrase easy to learn?
2 min
playlist_add
Jul 26, 2022
It’s now or never
Learn how to use ‘it’s now or never’
2 min
playlist_add
Jul 19, 2022
Happy days
Learn a phrase to use when you hear good news.
2 min
playlist_add
Jul 12, 2022
Double down
Learn a phrase about extra effort.
2 min
playlist_add
Jul 5, 2022
Game face
Learn an expression about determination.
2 min
playlist_add
Jun 28, 2022
Bitten by the bug
Learn a phrase about becoming interested and excited in doing something.
2 min
playlist_add
Jun 21, 2022
It escapes me
A phrase about forgetting something
2 min
playlist_add
Jun 13, 2022
Onboarding
Starting a new job means becoming familiar with new duties!
2 min
playlist_add
Jun 6, 2022
Thereby hangs a tale
When there is more to say....
2 min
playlist_add
May 31, 2022
The royal treatment
Are you ready to feel like a king or a queen?
2 min
playlist_add
May 24, 2022
Tell me about it
Sometimes people say something that you can’t help but agree with. Learn a new phrase.
3 min
playlist_add
May 17, 2022
Creatively bankrupt
Do you ever feel like your creativity just vanishes? Here's a phrase for that situation.
3 min
playlist_add
May 10, 2022
As if
A phrase to use when someone says something that is ridiculous or blatantly untrue.
3 min
playlist_add
May 4, 2022
Bad hair day
How are you looking today? Could you be having a bad hair day?
2 min
playlist_add
May 3, 2022
'Ish' - The English We Speak
Make the English you speak sound more natural
3 min
playlist_add
Apr 19, 2022
Promises, promises
Learn a new expression about not believing someone’s promises.
2 min
playlist_add
Apr 12, 2022
Not see hide nor hair
Sometimes it’s impossible to find someone. Here's a phrase to use in this situation.
2 min
playlist_add
Apr 5, 2022
A curate's egg
Learn an odd expression which means something is a little good but mainly bad
3 min
playlist_add
Mar 29, 2022
That'll be the day
Learn a phrase about things that are unlikely to happen.
3 min
playlist_add
Mar 22, 2022
Gathering dust
What’s gathering dust in your house?
4 min
playlist_add
Mar 15, 2022
Easier said than done
Talking about doing things can be easy, but doing them can be a bit more complicated.
4 min
playlist_add
Mar 8, 2022
The plot thickens
A phrase for when a situation becomes more mysterious.
2 min
playlist_add
Mar 1, 2022
All at sea
Discover more about this nautical phrase in The English We Speak.
2 min
playlist_add
Feb 22, 2022
Don't mind me
If you want tell someone to ignore what you’re doing, what can you say?
2 min
playlist_add
Feb 15, 2022
Cramp my style
Who’s cramping your style?
3 min
playlist_add
Feb 8, 2022
You couldn't make it up
Learn an expression for unbelievable events.
2 min
playlist_add
Feb 1, 2022
Cool cat
Do you know someone who is really hip and trendy?
3 min
playlist_add
Jan 25, 2022
There's nothing to it
Sometimes we do things that are simple. Learn an 'easy' phrase to describe this.
3 min
playlist_add
Jan 18, 2022
As sick as a parrot
Learn a phrase about disappointment.
2 min
playlist_add
Jan 13, 2022
Eke out
We have the perfect phrase to describe making the most of what you’ve got left.
2 min
playlist_add
Jan 4, 2022
Say no more
Learn a phrase about understanding someone.
2 min
playlist_add
Dec 28, 2021
Scrub up well
Learn a phrase about making a special effort to dress smartly.
2 min
playlist_add
Dec 21, 2021
You shouldn't have
Learn a phrase to show surprise when receiving a gift
2 min
playlist_add
Dec 14, 2021
Not looking too clever
If someone’s 'not looking too clever', are we doubting their intelligence?
2 min
playlist_add
Dec 7, 2021
Not like the sound of something
Don't like what you hear? Say it with this expression!
3 min
playlist_add
Nov 30, 2021
I'll give you that
Learn what to say when you agree with someone about some or all of what they said.
2 min
playlist_add
Nov 23, 2021
Another string to your bow
Learn a phrase about having an additional skill.
3 min
playlist_add
Nov 16, 2021
Clap back
When someone criticises something you’ve done, what do you do?
2 min
playlist_add
Nov 9, 2021
Talk through your hat
Learn a phrase about talking nonsense.
2 min
playlist_add
Nov 2, 2021
Quote ... unquote
An expression for when we want to repeat exactly what someone has said.
3 min
playlist_add
Oct 26, 2021
Not a patch on something
Learn an expression for when something is far worse than something else.
4 min
playlist_add
Oct 19, 2021
No cap
Do you know someone who always tells the truth?
4 min
playlist_add
Oct 12, 2021
Moreish
An expression you can use to talk food you can't resist.
3 min
playlist_add
Oct 4, 2021
A legend in one's lifetime
Do you know a famous living person? Here’s a phrase to describe them.
3 min
playlist_add
Sep 28, 2021
Live rent-free in one's head
What or who do you think about all the time?
4 min
playlist_add
Sep 21, 2021
Now you're talking
Learn how to show that you like someone’s idea.
3 min
playlist_add
Sep 14, 2021
Hits different
Here’s the expression you can use to talk about something special.
3 min
playlist_add
Sep 7, 2021
Extra
Learn an expression to describe how exaggerated some people are.
3 min
playlist_add
Aug 31, 2021
Zhuzh
Do you want to make something more interesting by changing it slightly?
4 min
playlist_add
Aug 24, 2021
Lo and behold
Learn an expression to introduce a surprising part of a story.
4 min
playlist_add
Aug 17, 2021
Bigwig
Here’s an expression to describe an important and powerful person.
2 min
playlist_add
Aug 10, 2021
Cringe
A word for when you want to say that something is really embarrassing.
3 min
playlist_add
Aug 5, 2021
It’s the … for me
Learn an expression to talk about why you love or hate something.
2 min
playlist_add
Jul 27, 2021
Obvs
Some things are obvious but maybe this word isn’t. Listen to the programme.
2 min
playlist_add
Jul 20, 2021
Down / Up for something
If there is something you are interested in doing now, we have an expression for you.
2 min
playlist_add
Jul 13, 2021
Savage
Learn a new meaning of the word 'savage'.
2 min
playlist_add
Jul 6, 2021
Lit
Learn an informal word to say something is amazing.
3 min
playlist_add
Jun 29, 2021
Yikes!
Learn an informal word to express shock.
2 min
playlist_add
Jun 22, 2021
YOLO
Do you live for the moment?
3 min
playlist_add
Jun 15, 2021
Vibe
If you want to say something has a good aura, we have an expression you can use.
3 min
playlist_add
Jun 8, 2021
Noob
Do you know what to call someone who’s new to something or very inexperienced?
3 min
playlist_add
Jun 1, 2021
Adulting
Learn a word to describe behaving like an adult.
3 min
playlist_add
May 18, 2021
Push back
Learn a phrase about delaying things.
3 min
playlist_add
May 11, 2021
The CEO of
If you want to say you’re the best at something, you could use this expression!
3 min
playlist_add
May 4, 2021
Zip it!
We all like to talk, but some people don’t know when to stop.
3 min
playlist_add
Apr 27, 2021
Botch job
What do you call a job badly done?
3 min
playlist_add
Apr 20, 2021
It slaps!
What do you think is absolutely amazing?
3 min
playlist_add
Apr 13, 2021
Have a lot of plates spinning
A phrase about having a lot of things to do.
3 min
playlist_add
Apr 6, 2021
Pizzazz
Do a lot of people remark on how glamorous you are?
3 min
playlist_add
Mar 30, 2021
Oomph
A word to describe someone with charm and energy!
3 min
playlist_add
Mar 23, 2021
Snap up
If you snap up something, you get it quickly or immediately and usually with enthusiasm.
3 min
playlist_add
Mar 16, 2021
Nothingburger
Describing something insignificant
3 min
playlist_add
Mar 9, 2021
Awesomesauce
Learn a new informal word to describe something amazing.
3 min
playlist_add
Mar 2, 2021
Clout
Learn an expression about having influence.
3 min
playlist_add
Feb 23, 2021
GOAT
'GOAT' is used to talk about things or people that we think are the best.
3 min
playlist_add
Feb 16, 2021
Workation
'Workation' is a combination of the words 'work' and 'vacation'.
3 min
playlist_add
Feb 9, 2021
Moonshot
Learn an expression used to describe an experimental project.
3 min
playlist_add
Feb 2, 2021
Slap-bang
Learn a phrase to describe an exact position.
3 min
playlist_add
Jan 26, 2021
Sadfishing
A word used when someone exaggerates their emotional problems to get attention.
3 min
playlist_add
Jan 19, 2021
Mic drop
Roy and Feifei teach you a new English expression.
3 min
playlist_add
Jan 12, 2021
Tone deaf
Learn when 'tone deaf' has nothing to do with music...
3 min
playlist_add