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00:07
Feifei: This is The English We Speak
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I'm Feifei.
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Rob: And hello, I'm Rob. Hey, Feifei.
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Did you see the match last night?
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Feifei: The match? No, Rob.
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I had better things to do!
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Rob: Oh, you should have done.
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My local team beat Manchester United
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3-0! It was a giant-killing!
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Feifei: Well I'm glad I didn't watch it - who
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wants to see giants being killed?
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Rob: Feifei, nobody was killed and
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there were no real giants.
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The giant is the team that
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is usually stronger, more powerful
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or skilful than the other team -
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and the killing happens
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when the weaker or less skilful team
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beats them. And that's what
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happened last night.
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It was brilliant!
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Feifei: I see. So a giant-killing describes
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a situation when a weaker or less skilful
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person or team beats a stronger or
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more skilful opponent.
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Rob: Yep. And we call the winning team
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'giant killers' - so my team can
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be called 'giant killers'!
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Feifei: So is this phrase used
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for sporting competitions?
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Rob: Yes it is. It's not just used
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in football - although the giant-killing
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in the game last
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night was amazing! I mean, did
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I mention the score was 3-0?
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Feifei: OK calm down, Rob. Let's hear
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some other examples
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of the phrase 'giant-killing'...
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We're celebrating our village
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cricket team's giant-killing over
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a professional county team!
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There was a giant-killing at
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the tennis match today - a brand new
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player beat the third-seeded
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player in straight sets!
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The non-league team have become
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giant killers in the FA Cup - they could go
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all the way to the final.
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Feifei: This is The English We Speak from
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BBC Learning English and
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we're hearing about
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the sporting expression 'giant-killing' -
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that's when a strong or skilful player or
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team is beaten by a less strong opponent.
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The winners are called 'giant killers'.
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So a giant-killing is quite an achievement?
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Rob: It sure is. It's unexpected but
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it's great when it happens.
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Feifei: I understand, Rob - it comes as a
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surprise because you're so used to losing!
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Rob: Never mind, Feifei. If you're not
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a football fan, you'll never understand.
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Feifei: Hmm, I suppose this programme is
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a bit like a giant killing.
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Rob: Why's that then?
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Feifei: The weaker, less skilful presenter
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beats the stronger, more skilful presenter
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by getting more lines to stay in the script.
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Rob: Errr, I don't think so, Feifei.
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You always have more to say.
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Feifei: That's true. Now, isn't it your turn
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to make the tea?
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Rob: OK, if you say so. See you later.
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Feifei: Ha! 1-0 to me. Bye.
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