What does 'across' mean? (it's not what you think)

Feifei: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak.

I'm Feifei…

Rob: …and I'm Rob.

And today, we’re going to use a common word

in a slightly different way.

It’s a preposition you’ve no doubt

known for a long time.

Feifei: Yes, our word is 'across'.

Of course, you can say things like:

Rob is sitting across from me.

Rob: Or:

This food is popular across China.

Feifei: But what about this:

Rob, are you across the plan for tonight’s event?

Rob: You’re not asking me if I’m sitting across

or on the other side from a plan, are you?

Feifei: No, when we use 'across' in this way,

it actually means 'to be familiar with'.

If you’re across a plan, you’re familiar with it.

You know what you need to know about it.

Rob: We often talk about being across a subject.

Especially a subject that is complex or changing.

It indicates you know all the important things

about the subject.

Feifei: Let’s listen to some examples to help clarify

how we use it.

Examples: Professor Zhang is a specialist

in the European economy.

He’s across all the latest developments.

A: Did you come to last week’s meeting?

B: Afraid not, no.

A: OK, so you’re not across the new plan.

Let me give you a quick summary.

A: Pete, I want to make sure you’re across the

food for tomorrow.

Now, remember two of our guests are vegetarian.

B: Got it.

Feifei: This is The English We Speak

from BBC Learning English.

There we are.

I hope you’re now across how we use this word 'across'.

Rob: Yes, you’re across 'across', so to speak!

Feifei: Anyway, as I was asking earlier, Rob,

are you across the plan for tonight’s event?

Rob: That was just an example of

how to use this phrase, right?

Feifei: No, you really don’t know about it?

Rob: What event?

Feifei: This isn’t good.

I thought you had sent out all the invitations?

Rob: What are you talking about, Feifei?

Feifei: Oh, just kidding! There’s no event tonight.

Rob: That’s not funny!

Now, getting back to the subject,

if you want to stay across

all the latest slang English expressions,

do remember to listen to The English We Speak.

Feifei: Bye.

Rob: That really wasn't funny.