Knees up: The English We Speak

28,171 views ・ 2017-11-20

BBC Learning English


Please double-click on the English subtitles below to play the video.

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Feifei: Hello, I'm Feifei and  this is The English We Speak.
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Rob: ...and hello, it's Rob  here. Err, Feifei, I hope
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you don't mind me saying but you look a bit
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hot and sweaty.
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Feifei: That's because I've been training
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for this 'thing' that Dan's  having for his birthday.
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Rob: A 'thing' - what sort of thing?
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Feifei: Well according to his party invitation,
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he's having a knees-up to celebrate his birthday.
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I'm not sure what it is  but I wanted to be prepared
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by getting fit. Look I can  get my knee up to my chin!
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Rob: That's impressive but completely unnecessary.
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A knees-up is an informal way of saying
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a lively party where there's usually dancing.
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So he's having a party!
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Feifei: Oh right. So I've  been invited to Dan's birthday
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party! Well, if there's dancing  I still need to get fit.
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Rob: That's true. Let's hear some more examples
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of people having a knees-up...
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Examples: Sorry I'm a bit sleepy today, we
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had a big knees-up last night. It was great!
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We're planning a knees-up for Dad's 70th birthday,
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I hope you can come.
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Now our exams have finished, let's have a
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knees-up at my house tonight!
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Feifei: So a knees-up is a  lively party or gathering
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to celebrate something. This is going to be fun!
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Rob: Yes, there'll be dancing... Feifei: Good.
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Rob: Eating and drinking... Feifei: Perfect.
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Rob: And lots of celebrating. But this knees-up
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will be missing one thing.
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Feifei: Oh yes, what's that?
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Rob: Me. I won't be coming - I haven't got time -
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I'm up to my knees in paperwork.
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Feifei: 'Up to your knees' in paperwork!
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You mean you've got too much work to do
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- come on Rob, be honest,  you haven't been invited!
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Rob: Well... yes. I can't dance anyway,
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I've got a bad knee.
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Feifei: Excuses. I'll let  you know how it goes. Bye!
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Rob: Bye!
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Original video on YouTube.com
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