

Learning English Conversations
BBC Radio
Everyday expressions and real English conversations to help make your everyday conversations easier. Find more at bbclearningenglish.comFollow us at
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Episodes
Mentioned books

12 snips
Jul 23, 2024 • 3min
The English We Speak: The works
Feifei and Georgie discuss the phrase 'the works,' sharing anecdotes about indulging in treatments and food. They explain its versatility in different contexts. The hosts explore the meaning of 'the works,' highlighting its usage at the end of a list or when ordering with all extras. They also mention 'the whole shebang' as a similar expression.

Jul 16, 2024 • 4min
The English We Speak: Dip your toe into
Listeners are taken through the concept of 'dipping your toe into' new experiences, with Feifei sharing her painting course journey. The podcast explores the cautious approach to starting fresh activities, highlighting examples like trying out ballet or career changes.

Jul 9, 2024 • 4min
The English We Speak: Ham-fisted
The podcast explores the meaning and implications of the term 'ham-fisted', delving into its usage and connotations in various scenarios. It discusses examples highlighting clumsiness and lack of skill, both literally and metaphorically, in activities and problem-solving.

Jul 2, 2024 • 3min
The English We Speak: Second nature
The podcast explores the concept of 'second nature,' discussing actions that are so familiar they can be done effortlessly. Examples include technology use for younger generations and driving for experienced individuals.

Jun 25, 2024 • 3min
The English we speak: Take the plunge
Learn about the meaning of 'take the plunge' in English phrases with personal stories of daring decisions like quitting a job to travel or relocating to a new country.

4 snips
Jun 18, 2024 • 3min
The English We Speak: Peaks and troughs
Explore life's ups and downs with a focus on embracing individuality and humor. Delve into the concept of 'peaks and troughs' to describe the highs and lows in life, backed by relatable anecdotes and comparisons to other phrases.

4 snips
Jun 11, 2024 • 3min
The English We Speak: Heavy lifting
Learn about the concept of 'heavy lifting' in the workplace and how it relates to handling challenging tasks. Explore the phrase 'do the heavy lifting' in different contexts with examples. Get a glimpse of future episodes focusing on English language expressions.

9 snips
Jun 4, 2024 • 2min
The English We Speak: Stir the pot
The podcast discusses the negative impact of 'stirring the pot' in conversations, exploring how it can escalate conflicts with examples and explanations to illustrate the concept.

May 28, 2024 • 2min
The English We Speak: Wishy-washy
Exploring the meaning and applications of 'wishy-washy' in job interviews and management. Delving into the term as vague, weak, or defined, akin to weak, watery substances. Touching on its application to describe diluted flavors and hints at upcoming English phrase exploration.

May 21, 2024 • 2min
The English We Speak: Shook
Explore the various uses of the word 'shuk' to express surprise, linking it to 'shake'. Delve into the contexts where 'shook' signifies amazement, popular among youth and online.