BOX SET: English vocabulary mega-class! Learn 10 English expressions with adjectives!

Hello and welcome back to

The English We Speak.

I'm Feifei.

And I'm Rob.

Have I told you about

the competition that I've entered, Feifei?

No, Rob.

What is it?

It's a singing competition!

You have to perform a popular song

from your favourite band -

and I'm going to win!

You?

Are you going to win?

No offence, Rob, but I've heard your

singing voice, and, well, I'm not sure...

What are you trying to say, Feifei?

All I'm saying is that

there is a fat chance

of you winning the competition!

Right! So first you make fun

of my singing and now

you're calling me fat!

How cheeky!

Oh Rob, no. I'm not calling you fat:

I'm saying that the likelihood of

you winning the competition is very small.

Rob: Oh right, yes.

'Fat chance' is an English phrase

to say something is not very likely -

I remember now.

Right, while you calm down,

let's hear some other examples

of this phrase.

I bought a lottery ticket for tonight's

draw - and these are my lucky numbers!

I'm definitely going to win!

Fat chance!

I hope it's warm this weekend -

I want to go fishing.

Well, fat chance of that.

It's the middle of November!

I auditioned for a role in a movie, but there

is fat chance of me getting the role - I saw

loads of famous actors auditioning too.

This is The English We Speak

from BBC Learning English and we're

talking about the phrase 'fat chance'.

This is a noun phrase that means

a small chance, or possibility,

of something happening.

It can be used in a full sentence,

and also as a standalone phrase.

For example, when Rob said

he was going to win the competition,

I could have just said 'fat chance'!

Hey!

I think I've got

a really good chance!

I've been practising hard and

I've even taken a few lessons!

OK, Rob.

Well... good luck -

I suppose...

Well, Feifei, when I win

the £5000 prize money,

there's fat chance of you getting any of it.

Wait, £5000?

Rob, hold on!

I didn't mean it!

Thanks for joining us - I've got to go

and apologise to Rob.

Hopefully he'll

share his winnings!

Bye!

Hi Neil.

Good weekend?

Do anything nice?

Hi Feifei!

Actually, I stayed in and

watched TV.

Football?

No, I watched this marvellous

programme from Norway.

Oh, one of those police dramas?

They’re great!

Actually, believe it or not, the entire film

was just the view from the front of

a train, all the way from one city to another.

It was seven hours long.

Seven hours?!

That’s all that happened?

No people?

No police?

No nothing?

Just the view from the train.

It was such a relaxing journey.

They call it 'slow TV'.

Ahh, yes.

I’ve heard of that.

Wasn't there one on a boat too?

Isn’t it a bit boring?

Well, it’s not for everyone.

But my life is so busy,

I just like to slow down now and again.

I’m still not convinced.

Anyway,

let’s hear some more examples

about this slow TV.

It’s our phrase on

The English We Speak.

Michaela's company specialises in

making slow TV.

She says business is great right now!

I recently discovered slow TV.

My friends think it's really dull,

but I find it helps

clear my head after a stressful day.

What are you watching?

It looks just like a fireplace

with a big piece of wood burning.

It is! Isn’t slow TV fantastic?

It takes about four hours

for the wood to burn completely.

You're listening to The English We Speak

from BBC Learning English.

The expression we're looking at

in this programme is 'slow TV'.

So Neil, is this what you’ll be doing

with your free time from now on?

Watching slow TV?

No, I’ve got an even better idea

for this weekend.

You know that oak tree I planted?

Err, yes.

I’m going to film it.

And make my

very own slow TV!

Then you can watch

my tree grow, any time you like.

Honestly, Neil.

I don’t think so.

Maybe this will be the next big thing

in slow TV.

I could call it… slow tree-V. Get it?

I think what you need is to take

a long, slow walk outside.

Then you can admire

all the trees you like!

Just you wait, Feifei!

This will be the slowest TV ever -

oak trees take around 30 years to grow.

Good luck Neil! See you in 30 years.

I’ll stick to police dramas in the meantime.

Bye.

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak.

I'm Feifei.

And I’m Rob!

Hey, Feifei, did you know they’re looking for a new

team leader to manage and motivate our team?

Oooh, a promotion!

And you think I should apply for it?

No, no!

I was going to ask if you think

I’d be good for the position?

Well... well, you’re sometimes friendly

and you like to chat.

Great.

Well, the job description

says that they want someone with ‘soft skills’

– and that means 'the ability to communicate

and work well with other people'.

I'm basically a team player.

You are a team player?

Well, Rob, you’re certainly ‘soft’

– not very strict

– so nobody would listen to you!

Oh, well, we’ll see about that.

We are going to hear some examples,

and no arguing!

We’ve got to build a team that works well together,

so soft skills are vital if you want to work here.

The recruitment company are looking for

someone with soft skills to fill the vacancy.

A positive attitude, self-confidence

and being a good communicator

are the soft skills we’re looking for in this job.

Does that describe you?

This is The English We Speak from

BBC Learning English

and we’re talking about the phrase ‘soft skills’,

which describes someone’s ability to communicate

and work well with others.

But, Rob, I’m still not sure if you’ve

got the soft skills for the new job.

Oh well!

Thanks for your vote of confidence!

Actually, maybe I should apply for the new job.

Hmmm, let’s have a think about your skills…

You’re bossy.

You tell people what to do.

You take charge.

They sound like ‘hard skills’ to me.

Hard skills?!

It sounds like I’d be perfect for the job.

So, Rob, pop outside the studio

and make me a cup of tea.

Erm, any chance you could ask me

using some ‘soft skills’?

No, Rob.

Just do it.

See ya!

Somehow I think she’d get the job!

Bye!

Hello and welcome to The English

We Speak.

I'm Feifei...

And hello, I'm Rob!

You're looking pleased

with yourself today, Rob.

I am. Look - biscuits!

Hmm, are biscuits

really that exciting?

Well, it's not actually the biscuits,

it's the price.

I got five pence off the packet

- a great discount, hey?

Five pence!

Big deal!

Well, yes it is a big deal, Feifei -

a big, big deal.

By my calculations it's a five per cent discount.

So every bite tastes

better because it's cheaper!

Oh hold on -

you're being sarcastic, aren't you?

I am.

It's a sarcastic phrase.

When we say 'big deal' to someone, we're telling them

that we don't think what they've told us

is very special or impressive.

So, sorry Rob - I'm not impressed!

It takes a lot to impress you, Feifei.

How about some impressive examples?

Have you heard - we're getting

a one per cent pay rise?

Big deal!

My brother said he completed

the marathon in four hours.

Big deal - I did it in three!

This is The English We Speak

from BBC Learning English and

we're talking about

the expression 'big deal', which

can be said to someone to show

you're not impressed

by what they've told you.

You can also say

something is 'no big deal' to mean it's not

a serious problem, like this...

Failing your driving test is no big deal -

it happens to people all the time.

You can try again next month.

So that's 'no big deal', but I think

saving five pence off a packet of biscuits

is a great deal.

You know what people say -

every penny counts.

Rob, you're making a big deal about this -

that's another use of 'big deal'.

When you make a big deal about something,

it means you make a big fuss.

A big fuss?

I bought 100 packets, Feifei,

saving five pounds - that's

quite a deal don't you think?

100 packets!

That's a bit extreme

- you must really love biscuits.

What sort are they?

They are chocolate digestives.

Oh! Chocolate digestives!

My favourite - OK then, Rob, open them up

and let's start munching.

Ha!

I can see you are impressed

with my 'big deal'.

Bye.

Bye.

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak.

I’m Neil and this is Feifei.

Feifei?

Feifei!

Huh?

Oh sorry, Neil!

I had a really late night last night so

I'm dead tired today!

You’re dead tired, Feifei?

Are you dying?

That’s awful!

What have you got?

Is it contagious?

Oh Neil, don’t be silly!

I’m not sick

or contagious or dying!

I’m just really tired!

That’s a relief!

But, you said you were

‘dead’ tired.

But you’re not dying?

Oh really, Neil – I think you’re more

tired than I am!

I said ‘dead’ tired because

I’m really tired.

So we can use ‘dead’ to mean ‘really’

or ‘very’?

That’s right – if you want

to emphasise an adjective, you can use

'dead' to make it stronger.

Well that’s dead confusing –

perhaps we should take a look at some examples.

Is it lunchtime yet?

I’m dead hungry!

The man sat next to me on the train this morning

kept falling asleep on my shoulder.

It was dead annoying! I was dead happy when I passed

my driving test!

This is The English We Speak from

BBC Learning English and we’re talking about

a different use of the word ‘dead’.

Normally it means the opposite of

the adjective ‘alive’, but native

English speakers, particularly people in

the North of England, often use it before

an adjective to emphasise

what they are saying.

Could you tell us a time when

you were dead happy, Neil?

Well, when I woke up this morning

and found I had another hour until my

alarm went off!

I was dead thrilled!

Not quite, Neil!

You were dead happy,

but not dead thrilled!

You can’t use

‘dead’ with extreme adjectives.

Oh OK, so you can say ‘dead cold’

but not ‘dead freezing’ Or ‘dead good’

but not ‘dead fantastic’.

That was a dead good explanation, Neil!

I see you have woken up a bit now,

but I’m still dead tired.

Well how about you make us both

a coffee while I finish the programme –

it's your turn to make the coffees!

Err, no, Neil – I always make the coffee!

I’ll go make a coffee for me, not you,

while you finish the programme!

Uh oh.

I’d best go and make the coffees -

she’s dead sensitive when she

hasn’t had enough sleep!

Well, bye everyone,

see you next time!

Welcome to The English We Speak.

Hello, I'm Feifei... but where is Rob?

Oh!

Hi, Feifei, you're nice and early -

can't wait to get started, hey?

I'm not early - you are late!

Late?

No, no, no, no - we said we'd

start at half past ten... didn't we?

No - ten o'clock, Rob.

Look at this

text message: "Can we start earlier at ten,

please?" and you replied "sure".

Oh!

My bad!

Your back?

Don't start complaining

about your back just to avoid apologising.

No, not my back - my bad!

I am apologising -

that's what 'my bad' means,

It's an American English phrase that

we use sometimes to mean

we accept responsibility for a mistake.

Well, that's good to know.

So you're really saying 'sorry'?

Well, not exactly.

Let's hear some more examples of using 'my bad'.

My bad!

It was me who put my pink socks

in with the white washing - oops!

My friend knocked a glass of red wine

over me and all he could say was 'my bad'.

I don't think he was that bothered!

It was me who lost the car keys - my bad -

I'm sure they'll turn up somewhere.

This is The English We Speak from

BBC Learning English, and we're finding out

about the phrase 'my bad' which is

slang for saying my fault, my mistake, I am to blame -

but Rob just can't bring himself

to say 'sorry'!

I'm sensing 'my bad' is

a way of apologising without actually

saying 'sorry'.

Yes, I suppose so - but I'll say 'sorry'

if that helps.

You know I can't be perfect

all the time!

That's true.

Anyway, why are you so keen to

start early today?

Oh!

My bad - I forgot to tell you

it's Neil's birthday and we're leaving early

to go and celebrate at the pub.

That is bad - that wasn't a mistake,

you just did that on purpose.

Why would I do that?

Come on Rob,

I'm sure you can join us -

just don't forget your wallet.

OK.

Bye.

Bye.

Hello and welcome to The English

We Speak. You're Neil...

...and hello, you're Feifei.

Neil, a question - if you looked into

my purse, what would you find?

Not much! Probably lots of small

coins that aren't worth much.

Well I'm not rich, Neil - but yes,

you would find small change. A collection

of coins with little value.

OK - is this the phrase for this programme?

Not exactly. The phrase is 'small change'

but it's not about money.

Something that is insignificant or trivial,

meaning not important,

can also be described as 'small change'.

Like getting a seat on the train

during the rush hour is 'small change' for me.

And getting chocolate sprinkles

on top of my cappuccino

is 'small change' for me.

Really? That's 'big change' for me!

Let's hear some examples that are

far from being small change!

I've only got a cold so my health problems

are small change compared with

your broken leg.

Eating out every night is small change

to Molly - she can afford it

with the huge salary she's on.

Where I sit on the plane is small change to me,

as long as we arrive on time.

This is The English We Speak from

BBC Learning English and we're talking

about the phrase 'small change' which

describes something insignificant

or trivial, meaning 'not important'.

We can also describe someone as

being 'small change' - so they are not important.

Feifei, do you think I'm small change

in this programme?

Of course not, Neil. You are very

important to this programme -

and besides, we couldn't afford the other presenter!

Ha ha. Very funny. So now we've

explained 'small change' - can you lend me some?

You mean money? How much do

you want?

Ten pounds!

Neil, that's NOT small change - and

your request is not 'small change' either.

The answer is 'no'!

Well it was worth a try. See ya.

Bye.

Hello, this The English We Speak. I'm Feifei.

And hello, I’m Rob.

Hey, Rob. You know we've got

a 'bright spark' in our office?

A bright spark? Oh yes – by that

you mean someone intelligent…

Well…

Someone full of energy…

I didn't exactly…

Someone with clever ideas. Feifei,

there's no need to waste everyone's time.

Just say my name! Rob is the bright spark

in the office.

Ermm... Rob, that is just one

definition of 'a bright spark'.

'A bright spark' can describe someone

who is clever, intelligent with lots of energy.

But this isn't the definition that applies to you Rob!

Oh. So come on, Feifei. When else would

you describe someone as 'a bright spark?

Well, it can be used sarcastically

and humorously to describe someone

who thinks they are intelligent

but actually does something stupid.

A bit like this:

Which bright spark suggested we go for a walk

on the wettest day of the year?!

Come on, own up – who's the bright spark

who turned the power off and caused

everything in the freezer to melt?

Are you the bright spark who told the

other team our game plan?

I think you owe us an apology.

This is The English We Speak from

BBC Learning English. And we've

discovered that 'a bright spark' can either

be a very smart person or someone who

has done something stupid. So I'm sorry

to say, Rob, you are the second kind

of bright spark!

Oh really. Why is that?

You left the window open last night

and this morning I found all my

documents and scripts blown all over the floor.

Are you sure? A bright spark like me

would never do something like that.

Rob, it's exactly what a bright spark

like you might do – and it means I've lost

the last page of this script.

Oh really! I think I can remember

what it said. Something like - 'Sorry, Rob.

You are wise and clever and the brightest

spark I have ever known'.

I don't think so, Rob. Which bright spark

would write something as cringey as that?

Err... Time to go I think.

Good idea. Bye.

Bye.

Hello.

This is The English

We Speak.

This is Rob...

And this is Feifei.

So, Feifei,

how did the blind date go?

Not great - a disaster in fact.

Oh no.

Why didn't you just

follow my advice?

I did!

Wear something nice,

turn up late and make small talk.

Yes, make small talk.

Exactly.

Well, when I started making small talk,

the guy looked at me in a strange way

and then walked off.

Oh no.

What did you say?

Things like 'hi', 'good', 'yes', 'no',

'great' - small words.

But no sentences?

I think you've got the wrong end of the stick here - I mean

you misunderstood - 'making small talk'

means 'making informal conversation

about unimportant things'.

If you're meeting someone

for the first time, it's a good way

to make them feel relaxed

- you know, break the ice.

Right!

Make 'small' conversation.

I guess we should hear

some examples...

I didn't know anybody at my

cousin's wedding so I tried

to make small talk with the guests.

I'm shy and not very good at small talk.

That's why I hate going to parties.

At the office party, we all had to stand around

making small talk, but all I really wanted

to do was go home!

This is The English We Speak from

BBC Learning English.

And we're learning

about the expression 'small talk' - that's

informal conversation which is meant

to make people feel more relaxed

and stops any embarrassing silence.

Actually, Rob, I do know about small talk.

It's just that...

So, why didn't you say?

Well, I was going to tell you that...

You'll never get a boyfriend

if you don't speak up, Feifei!

You really need to talk more.

Rob.

Yes?

What I was trying to say was, I did

not have time for small talk because my date

would not stop talking.

He was rude,

arrogant and wouldn't let me

get a word in edgeways!

Now, who does that remind me of?!

Err...

Nice weather for the

time of year, don't you think?

It's a bit late for small talk now, Rob.

You've said far too much.

Oh.

Bye bye!

Bye!

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak,

I’m Feifei… and you are?

I’m Rob!

Yes, of course you are.

And what is the capital of Greenland?

Strange question.

Why are you asking?

Well, somebody has sold me this pair of

‘clever clogs’ and I’m trying them out.

But they don’t seem to be working.

I don’t feel any cleverer.

Well, they’re nice shoes, Feifei,

but I’m afraid wearing them

won’t improve your intelligence.

In fact,

buying them has made you look stupid, not clever.

Oh, thanks.

Clogs are interesting, though.

They’re made of wood, and were first made in Holland.

They were used for farming,

but are also used for dancing and…

Yes, Rob!

I know you’re trying to show how clever you are,

but it’s actually quite annoying.

Well, I’m just demonstrating what a 'clever clogs' is.

It’s someone who is annoying

because they think they know more than everyone else.

That sounds like you!

Let’s hear some clever examples.

If you’re such a clever clogs,

why don’t you work out our accounts?

My brother’s such a clever clogs.

He always comes first in the pub quiz.

We got lost in the city because Neil,

being such a clever clogs,

insisted he knew the right way to go.

He didn’t!

This is The English We Speak

from BBC Learning English

and we’re talking about the expression ‘clever clogs’,

which is used to describe someone who is annoying

because they think they know more than everyone else,

or they always think they’re right.

Yes, and of course I’m right in saying

you were stupid to buy a pair of 'clever clogs'

to make you more intelligent.

You can’t buy intelligence!

Actually they’re very comfortable

and ideal for wearing around the office.

But come on Mr Clever Clogs.

If you’re so smart,

what is the capital of Greenland?

Well, it’s Anchorage of course.

Wrong!

The capital of Greenland is Nuuk.

Who’s clever now?

Smart Alec!

Smart Feifei, actually.

Bye.

Goodbye.