Learning English Conversations

The English We Speak: Grind someone's gears

This episode explores the common English idiom "grind someone's gears," meaning to annoy someone. The co-hosts illustrate the phrase's usage, explaining that it's typically used in the present simple tense to describe recurring annoyances. For instance, one host expresses irritation at the sound of crunchy food in the...

The English We Speak: Feel seen

This episode explores the meaning and usage of the phrase "feel seen," focusing on its implications for inclusion and representation. The hosts, Feifei and Beth, discuss the phrase's application in various contexts, starting with Beth's personal experience of relating to a comedian's joke about a long coffee order. M...

The English We Speak: It's giving

This episode explores the meaning and usage of the slang phrase "it's giving," a popular expression used to describe something that evokes a particular style, mood, or vibe. The hosts, Feifei and Beth, illustrate the phrase with various examples, such as an outfit "giving summer" or a cake "giving professional baker,"...

The English We Speak: dial down

This episode explores the meaning and usage of the English idiom "dial down," focusing on its metaphorical application to reduce the intensity of various situations. The hosts, Feifei and Phil, introduce the phrase through an analogy to the controls of a machine, explaining that "dial down" signifies lessening the str...

The English We Speak: The name of the game

This episode explores the English idiom "the name of the game," illustrating its meaning and usage through a conversation between two hosts. The discussion begins with a humorous contrast in attire, with one host formally dressed while the other wears athletic clothing, setting the stage for the introduction of the id...

The English We Speak: Do it for the plot

This episode explores the internet expression "do it for the plot," examining its meaning and usage. The hosts, Feifei and Georgie, discuss the phrase's origin and its implication of making bold, spontaneous choices to enhance life's excitement, likening life to a film narrative. More significantly, the discussion il...

The English We Speak: Let something slide

This episode explores the English idiom "let something slide," examining its dual meaning and usage. The co-hosts begin by illustrating the phrase's primary meaning—to overlook a mistake or infraction without consequence—through a relatable scenario of one host's tardiness. More significantly, the discussion expands ...

The English We Speak: Twist someone's arm

This episode explores the English idiom "twist someone's arm," examining its meaning and usage in everyday conversation. The discussion begins with a personal anecdote where one host describes being persuaded to go to dinner, illustrating the phrase's meaning as a way of subtly convincing someone to do something they ...

The English We Speak: Have someone on

The English We Speak: Can-do attitude

This podcast episode explains the English idiom "can-do attitude," defining it as a belief in one's ability to accomplish tasks enthusiastically. The hosts illustrate the phrase's usage through examples, showing how it can be used as an adjective (e.g., "can-do spirit") or even a noun ("she showed a lot of can-do"). ...

The English We Speak: Go to

This podcast episode from "The English We Speak" explains the English idiom "go-to," meaning a preferred option or choice in a specific situation. The hosts, Feifei and Phil, define the term, provide examples of its usage as both a noun and adjective (e.g., "my go-to for soup," "go-to options"), and illustrate its app...

The English We Speak: Skedaddle

This podcast episode from "English We Speak" focuses on explaining the informal English verb "skedaddle," meaning to leave quickly and often urgently. The hosts, Feifei and Georgie, define the word, provide examples of its usage in different contexts (e.g., animals escaping, people rushing to catch a flight), and illu...

My Song, My Home: Adam in Ipswich

This episode of "My Song, My Home" features singer-songwriter Adam Thomas, who discusses his life in Ipswich, England, and his journey into music. The interview follows a structure of introducing Ipswich, detailing Adam's accidental discovery of music, his career change after his father's death, and his current buskin...

The English We Speak: Main character moment

This podcast episode explains the meaning and usage of the expression "main character moment." The hosts define it as feeling like the protagonist of a film, often due to a dramatic or attention-grabbing situation. Examples provided include wearing a colorful outfit, giving a motivating speech, or performing a dance ...

My Song, My Home: Alice in Leeds

This episode of the "My Song, My Home" series features musician Alice, who discusses her life in Leeds and performs her song "OK." The podcast follows a structure of introduction, location description (Granary Wharf), Alice's background and musical journey in Leeds, a performance of her song "OK," and analysis of the ...

The English We Speak: Fall on stony ground

This English language learning podcast explains the idiom "fall on stony ground," meaning an idea or suggestion is ignored or unpopular. The hosts illustrate the idiom with examples, such as a company announcing pay cuts or a child ignoring parental advice. They contrast this with "fertile ground," where ideas flouri...

My Song, My Home: Grace in Liverpool

This BBC Learning English podcast episode, part of the "My Song My Home" music series, features an interview with Liverpool-based singer-songwriter Grace Chloe. The episode explores Grace's musical journey, including her decision to pursue music after a powerful performance at a festival, and her experience as a blind...

The English We Speak: Make a rod for your own back

This podcast episode, from the "English We Speak" series, explains the idiom "to make a rod for your own back." The hosts and guests illustrate the idiom's meaning—taking actions that create future problems—through examples like over-volunteering or inviting too many guests to a party. The second half of the podcast ...

My Song, My Home: Josh in London

This interview podcast episode features Josh, a London-based busker, discussing his musical journey. The episode begins with an introduction to Josh and his experience busking from age 13, highlighting how it became his primary income source and led to other opportunities. The central focus is on Josh's song "That Si...

The English We Speak: Ship

This episode of The English We Speak, a panel/co-hosted podcast, focuses on explaining the slang term "ship," commonly used within online fandoms. The hosts define "ship" as expressing a desire for two people, often fictional characters, to be in a romantic relationship, and demonstrate its usage through various examp...