The English We Speak

Same hair, same style, same ways of waking and talking? They might be the 'same person, different font'. Learn how to use this expression with Becca and Feifei.Get a free transcript for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260921Have you signed up to our email newsletter yet? If not, what are you waiting for?! Get weekly tips from your favourite presenters: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599And check out our newly updated website homepage. Find what you're looking for more quickly and easily: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/

Do you want to share a surprising opinion? Learn how to use 'hot take' with Feifei and Becca. Get a free transcript to read while you listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english//features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260914Get weekly updates and tips for improving your English here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599And check out our new website layout! We've given the homepage an update to make it easier to navigate: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/We'd love some feedback about our website, or any of our programmes. Just email us at learningenglish@bbc.co.uk

Sometimes people lie to try and get away with things. They are just trying It on. Learn how to use 'try it on' with Feifei and Phil. As always, get your free transcript for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260907Also on our website, you can practice your listening and speaking: - The Listening Room https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room - The Reading Room https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_reading_roomSign up to our weekly newsletter! Your favourite presenters write you an email with tips and resources to help you improve your English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

Some ideas are just never going to work. Those are what we call 'non-starters'. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.As always, get your free transcript for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260831Sign up to our weekly newsletter! Your favourite presenters write you an email with tips and resources to help you improve your English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599 - also feel free to respond! We read everything, although we don't have time to reply to everyone.Have you tried our 'Real Easy English' podcast? Listen to real conversations about everyday topics to boost your listening confidence. You can WATCH the podcast here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/real-easy-english

Notes here is about negative feedback, so ‘no notes’ means that something is perfect. Use it when you have nothing negative to say. Learn about this expression and how to use it with Feifei and Georgie.As always, find a free transcript here:✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260824We send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here:✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

This modern expression is a way of responding enthusiastically to a suggestion. It means something similar to ‘say no more’. Learn when and how to use it with Georgie and Feifei.As always, find a free transcript here:✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260817For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comWe send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here:✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

Think you sometimes over-share unnecessary details? Learn how to use 'share your life story' with Becca and Feifei.As always, find a free transcript here:✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260810For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comWe send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here:✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

Learn an expression to use when someone doesn't socialise much with other people and prefers to be alone. You can get a free transcript for this programme here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260803Find programmes to help you improve your reading, listening, speaking and writing skills here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/skillsAnd don't forget to sign up to our free newsletter to receive a message from your favourite presenters and our tips to help you improve your English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599Come back here this time next week for the next episode of The English We Speak

This expression was originally just about clothes, but it now it can mean anything that doesn't consider individual needs. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260727For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comWe send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

Do you ever get distracted by something fun? A side quest is where you do something that's different to your main task. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.As always, find a free transcript here:✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260721For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comWe send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here:✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

This phrase comes from a longer idiom, ‘like ships that pass at night’. It’s used when two people have busy schedules, and struggle to find time to meet for more than just a brief encounter. Learn how to use it here, with Georgie and Feifei.Find a free transcript here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260713We send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

This slang phrase is about knowing what you have to do for a task, and doing it perfectly. Hear examples and learn how to use it in this programme, with Georgie and Feifei.As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260706. For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com We send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

Onto something suggests progress or a good idea. Maybe not a complete answer, but you're moving in the right direction. Learn how to use 'onto something' with Becca and Feifei.As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260629.For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comWe send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

When we sell ourselves short, we say negative things about ourselves. We undervalue or underestimate ourselves. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Becca.As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260622.For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comWe send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

Sometimes you just want people to stop. That's one way to use 'wrap it up'. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.Find a free transcript and related programmes here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260615Exams coming up? Practise your skills with BBC Learning English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/skillsSign up to our newsletter to never miss our updates and learning tips: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

Sometimes you want to come up with ideas without thinking too much. That's when you throw ideas at the wall to see if anything sticks. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260608. For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comWe send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

Moths are winged insects which are attracted to light sources. Learn the metaphorical use of this expression in this programme with Feifei and Georgie.As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260601 Practise your listening in The Listening Room. Find it here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_roomWe send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

Gatekeep is a verb which means to withhold information. It can be used to talk about fandoms or products. Learn how with Feifei and Georgie.For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260525Discover the NEW series of Office English. Topics covering small talk, organising meetings and rules. Find it here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english, or search 'Learning English for Work' in your podcast app.We send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersIf you enjoy this podcast, you might like our others! Search 'BBC Learning English' to find them all.

Do you almost feel like you're drowning in your tasks? Maybe you're in over your head. Learn when and how to use this expression with Becca and Feifei.For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260518Discover the NEW series of Office English. Topics covering small talk, organising meetings and rules. Find it here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english, or search 'Learning English for Work' in your podcast app.We send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersIf you enjoy this podcast, you might like our others! Search 'BBC Learning English' to find them all.

Is it true or is it just a hunch? Learn when and how to use ‘a hunch’ in this programmeFor more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260511Discover the NEW series of Office English. Topics covering small talk, organising meetings and rules. Find it here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english, or search 'Learning English for Work' in your podcast app.We send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersIf you enjoy this podcast, you might like our others! Search 'BBC Learning English' to find them all.