BOX SET: English vocabulary mega-class! Learn 10 two-word English expressions in just 27 minutes!

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.

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.

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