BOX SET: English vocabulary mega-class! 🤩 Expressions with 'I', 'me' and 'my'!

Hello and welcome to another  The English We Speak. He's Rob.

And she's Feifei. So Feifei,  welcome back! How was your holiday?

- Not bad. - Not bad?

Two weeks in the sun lying on the beach. It sounds perfect to me!

Unfortunately not. It rained for two  weeks solid! It's the story of my life... 

Story of my life? Well  that's a very short story - it rained.

Are you trying to  say it rained all your life?

Of course not! I mean it always happens.  The idiom 'it's the story of my life'  

means that 'a bad thing that has  happened to you has happened many  

times before'. It happens often. So,  every time I go on holiday it rains.

Bad luck! But you're not the only one who's had bad luck. Listen to these examples:

'I applied for the promotion at work, but didn't  get it again. It's the story of my life.'

'I met this lovely guy and thought he was the one,  

but he didn't think the same way. It's the story  of my life. I'm never going to find a boyfriend!'

'It's the story of my life;  

I buy myself a new coat and then see it  in the sales for half price. Typical.'

This is the English we speak from BBC Learning  English. I'm explaining that having rain  

when I'm on holiday is the story of my life,  which means it happens all the time. So Rob,  

saying it's the story of my life is a  negative thing. It means I'm unlucky!

Well, having rain on holiday isn't so bad;  

you could stay in bed, or sit in  the restaurant eating lots of food.

If I go to a hot and sunny country I want sun!

Well you know the best solution for not having a wet holiday?

What's that?

Just stay at home! You  could write your life story.

Rob, listening to your advice is also the story of my life. 

Thanks.

- Bye-bye! - Bye!

Hello! Welcome to the English We Speak with me Jiaying

And me, Neil.

Neil, what are you doing?

Oh don't mind me, I'm just doing some  useful chores while I'm in the studio.

- Neil, I do mind! - Well, don't mind.  

Just ignore me - that's what I mean.

That's not easy, but I get it. When someone says  

'don't mind me' they mean 'ignore  me, don't let me interrupt you'.

So you don't want to interrupt  me, but it's very distracting!

Sorry, I'll just finish them off while we  hear some more examples of 'don't mind me':

'Sorry, don't mind me, I've just come back  to get the books I left on the table.'

'Oh, please don't mind me, I've  got to eat this sandwich during  

the meeting because I haven't had time for lunch.'

'I've just got to fix this  light, so don't mind me.'

You're listening to the English we speak from  BBC Learning English. Today we're hearing about  

the phrase 'don't mind me' which people say to  mean please continue don't let me interrupt you.

But unfortunately Neil, clipping your fingernails  has interrupted me. I can't concentrate.

Well, I've finished now, but  don't mind me if I start on  

my toenails now! I just need to remove my socks...

Oh no, Neil don't mind me if  I go now, this is too much!

- Where are you going? - To get some fresh air  

and a cup of coffee just for me.

Oh don't mind mind me, I'm only your  co-presenter and lifelong friend.

- Bye Neil! - Bye. Now, back to my toenails.

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me, Feifei.

And me, Rob!

Now excuse me Feifei coz I just need to reach  over and get a tissue before I... Excuse me.

Are you getting a cold?

Oh, excuse me! I've just got  to get this. Hi mum. Yeah,  

I've told you not to call me at work. I'll  call you tonight, okay? Bye! Sorry about that.

Um Rob, are you going to do any work?

Excuse me! I am working very hard to  explain today's piece of authentic English.

Excuse me? Say that again.

Yes that's it! Our phrase today is two words  with many different meanings - 'excuse me'.

I see. So when you sneeze or make a rude  noise you can apologise by saying excuse me.

Exactly. And when I wanted you to move,  so that I could reach for the tissues,  

I said excuse me to politely ask you to move  so that I could reach them. A bit like this:

'Excuse me, could you move down the bus  please so that I can get on? Thanks.'

And what about that phone call?

Ah yes, I said excuse me as a polite  way of apologising for the interruption.

So you were being being polite and then you  were being rude when you said excuse me.

Well, I was expressing shock and disbelief that  you thought I wasn't working. A bit like this:

'Excuse me! How can you say I don't do any  housework? I cleaned the bathroom yesterday.'

And then you said excuse me because you  didn't understand what I said earlier,  

as usual, and you wanted me to repeat it.

Excuse me, that's not fair! Any other uses?

Yes, here's another one:

'Excuse me, do you know the  way to the railway station?'

Okay that's excuse me to get  someone's attention. Well Rob,  

now I've got your attention you'll have  to excuse me because I've got to go!

A very good use of excuse me Feifei,  politely saying you have to go. So,  

can you think of any more Feifei?  Feifei? Oh she really has gone. Bye!

- Welcome to The English We Speak with me Phil. - And me Feifei.

We have an expression that you can use if you  just don't believe someone. It's 'I don't buy it'.

'I don't buy it'. Tell us a bit more;  it's not connected to shopping, is it?

No, it's not connected to shopping.  Beth told me she can juggle with five  

balls and I just don't buy it. I've never  seen her practising; it can't be true.

And you told me you can play the trumpet, but I've  never seen or heard you do it. I don't buy it!

Did I really say that? I'd forgotten.  I said the same thing to my brother,  

and he definitely didn't buy it. He  knows I have no musical talent at all.

Clearly. Let's listen to these examples:

'You're saying it was an  accident? Sorry, I don't buy it.'

'She said her broken computer stopped her doing  the assignment, but her tutor just didn't buy it.'

'He said he was working late,  but I don't buy that story.'

You're listening to the English we speak  from BBC Learning English and we're learning  

the expression I don't buy it. We use it  to say that we don't believe something.

It's quite informal, but  you'll hear it a lot in speech.

Yes, we can also so use it to talk about buying  

someone's story or explanation.  If you buy a story you believe it!

But, as in the examples, it's much more common  to use it in the negative and say that you don't  

buy something. Feifei, I did explain why I  didn't get you a birthday present, didn't I?

You did, but I don't buy that story. I'll give you  until tomorrow to find something! See you then!

Bye!

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Jiaying

And I'm Neil.

You look really busy! Is everything okay?

Yes, but I'm having a dinner  party for my friends on Saturday,  

but I'd forgotten my parents  were coming to stay this weekend.

Have you considered postponing the dinner?

Hm, no. In fact, my parents were more  concerned they would cramp my style.

Your style is giving you  cramp? Oh, that sounds painful!

No Neil, I said 'cramp my style' which is an  expression used to mean that 'someone or something  

is stopping you from doing what you want, or  behaving in a way that makes you feel free'.

Ah, that makes sense! Your parents  were worried they would stop you  

having the type of party where you  could be yourself. Now I understand.

Well, let's talk more about  my party after these examples:

'I don't want to cramp your style,  

but could you wear a shirt and tie  to work rather than a t-shirt?'

'I had to move out of the house  share. I didn't feel free there,  

and my old housemates were cramping my style.'

'I don't want to go to the party. I'm worried she  thinks I'm uncool and that I'll cramp her style.'

You're listening to the English We  Speak from BBC Learning English and  

we're talking about the expression cramp  my style. We use this expression to say  

that someone or something is preventing  someone from behaving the way they want.

So, hang on, why didn't I get an invite  

to your dinner party? Are you  worried I'd cramp your style?

Uh no Neil, it's just last time  you brought that parrot and it kept  

making inappropriate jokes. Maybe  your invite got lost in the mail?

Oh, it wasn't a real parrot though, just one  of my son's toys I like to wear on my shoulder.

Okay, I'll wait to see if my invite arrives.

Only joking! I was tricking you. I really  wanted to invite you in person. You'll be  

the guest of honour along with my  parents. Would you like to come?

Of course, I'd love to, and I  promise not to cramp your style.

I know you wouldn't, just  don't bring the parrot. Bye!

Bye!

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Feifei.

And hello, I'm Rob!

Hey Rob, do you know what's going  on in the office today? The boss  

has been shouting, Helen's crying and  Neil doesn't look very happy either.

Beats me! Ouch! What did you do that for?

You said beat me!

No no, I mean it beats me. Ouch!

You're strange Rob...

No Feifei, I said 'it beats me' to mean 'I  don't know or I don't understand something'.

I knew that Rob; I just liked  hitting you with this stick.

Ha, very funny. Shall we hear some examples:

'Oh it beats me how Stephanie  ever got that promotion.'

'Can you believe that Dave and Andrea  are still married? He's always bossing  

her around. It beats me why she stays with him.'

'It beats me how Jen can afford a new  sports car when she only works part-time.'

So, that is it beats me, a phrase  used for saying that you do not  

know or understand something.  So, there's no beating involved.

Definitely not! So, now now I can safely say it  

beats me what's going on in the  office; I haven't got a clue.

Well, the situation seemed very tense and  the boss was shouting something about mice.

Mice? Ah yes, well uh, in that case, it could  be that I left my lunch on my desk overnight,  

and it's possible the mice have found  it and eaten it. They do get everywhere!

Mice? In our office? I hate mice!

Ouch! Why are you beating me again?  I think it's time to go. Bye.

Bye!

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak  from BBC Learning English. I'm Feifei.

And hello, it's me Neil.

- Did you see Roy's dog today? - Roy has a dog?

Yes it's a Shih Tzu and he brought her  into the office today. She was so cute.

Oh sorry I missed her. So what was her name?

- Um... Oh, it escapes me. - What? She escaped? Did you find her?

No Neil, the only thing that  escaped was her name from my memory.

When we say 'something escapes me' we mean  'we can't remember something at that moment'.

I'm sure her name will come to me eventually.

Neil, but what hasn't escaped me is these examples.

Thank goodness!

'I went shopping for something, but  it escapes me what I wanted to buy.'

'When you get there speak to the manager. Her  name escapes me, but you'll know who she is.'

'The keys are somewhere in the house,  but it escapes me where I put them.'

You're listening to The English We Speak from  BBC Learning English. We've been explaining the  

phrase something escapes me which means  I temporarily can't remember something.

So, I can't remember Roy's dog's name. He did tell me, but um...

It escaped you! Can I help jog your memory?

- Was it Fido? - No.

- Lucky? Lassie? Toto? - Oh I remember now!

It was Leia, named after the  fictional character in Star Wars.

How could a name like that escape you? I love  that android thing from Star Wars called um...

Does its name escape you  Neil? I think you mean C3PO.

Ah, that's it! Honestly, sometimes  I even forget my own name.

Bye Neil!

Ah Neil, that's it.

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Feifei. 

And I'm Beth.

We have an expression which is used to say  you have nothing left of something specific,  

particularly something that other people want.

The phrase is 'I'm out'.  Other pronouns can be used,  

so we can say 'we're out' or 'you're out' as well.

'I'm out'. Let's let's talk about how we use it.

Well Feifei, do you remember that  amazing new coffee I've been drinking?

I know you like it and I was going  to get you some for your birthday,  

but when I went to buy it  they were completely out!

Oh no, they didn't have any of that coffee  

left? Thanks for trying anyway. Maybe  there's another variety we could try?

Well I thought that, but it turned out there was a  

complete shortage of coffee. They were  out of everything; they only had tea!

It doesn't sound like a great shop if they don't  have enough stock. So, did you buy me some tea?

I wanted to, but then I realised I  didn't have any money; I was out!

Let's hear some more examples:

- 'I'm doing a sponsored run, can you give  me some change?' - 'Sorry, um, I'm all out.'

- 'Are you still giving away free chocolate?' - 'Sorry, we're out.'

'I can't believe how popular that new book  was! We're out already. Let's order more.'

You're listening to the English we  speak from BBC Learning English,  

and we're learning the expression 'I'm out', which  is a way of saying you have no more of something.

Now, we've been using out but it's also  

really common to say 'I'm all  out' or 'I'm completely out'.

It is! It means the same but just  adds more emphasis to the fact that  

you really don't have any more.  It's very often used with money.

That reminds me Beth, you still need  to buy me something for my birthday!

Well start thinking about what you'd like  cuz I'm all out of ideas. Bye for now!

Bye-bye.