Please double-click on the English subtitles below to play the video.
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Hello and welcome to The English We Speak
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with me, Feifei…
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…and me, Roy.
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Roy, please will you sit down! It's really
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annoying with you always just standing there!
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No, I refuse to sit down! I haven't sat down
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for the whole week. I heard you talking about
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'a sticking point' the other day, and after
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you played a joke on me and glued me to the
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chair – I will not sit down ever again!
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No, Roy! 'A sticking point' refers to a problem
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or issue that prevents progress towards a
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goal or an agreement. I was talking about
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negotiating my new work contract – I think
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I should be given 'unicorn truffles' everyday
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as part of the job.
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Wait, so a sticking point in your new
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contract is that you want unicorn truffles?
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Yes! I also asked for an eagle called Clive.
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But I want unicorn truffles.
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That's a great idea – I might ask for free
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unicorn truffles too.
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Sorry, Roy. That's only for amazing people
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like me – now sit down and let's listen
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to these examples.
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Trade tariffs were a sticking point in the
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negotiations.
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Bob and Ahmed could not agree on the budget.
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The amount spent on stationery was a real
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sticking point.
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The amount of time it would take to build
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the railway was a sticking point when it came
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to signing the final agreement.
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This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning
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English and we’re talking about the
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expression 'sticking point', which refers to
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an issue or problem that blocks a
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negotiation or an agreement.
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I'm glad I could sit down – I was getting
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really tired! So, have you finally stopped
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playing your jokes around the office? Am I
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safe again?
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Yes, I've stopped! You're safe!
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That's good – your jokes were a real sticking
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point in our friendship!
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Well, talking of sticking points, I'm off
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to negotiate my new contract and get some
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of those unicorn truffles! And my eagle!
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I love unicorn truffles!
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Well, there are some on that table over there.
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You could have all of them, but sadly you're
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stuck to a chair – again!! I got you again
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with my prank!! Bye Roy!
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Nooo!!!! Don't leave me stuck to a chair again!!!
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Feifei!? Ohh, bye.
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