Learning English

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Introduction

Rob’s entering his pot into a pottery competition. When Feifei tells him to ‘smash it’, she doesn’t actually want him to break it! So, what does she mean? Learn another English phrase that you can use in this episode of The English We Speak.

Transcript

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

Rob
…and me, Rob.

Feifei
Rob, did you make that pot I saw on your desk?

Rob
Yes – do you like it? I made it in the pottery class I’ve been attending after work.

Feifei
I’m impressed, Rob – it looks very….err… professional. What are you going to do with it?

Rob
I’m taking it to my pottery class tonight – we’re having a competition for ‘best pot’.

Feifei
Rob, go and smash it!

Rob
How will smashing it win me the competition?

Feifei
No, Rob! Don’t physically smash it – I mean, go and win. When we tell someone to ‘smash it’ we don’t always mean 'break it'. It can mean 'to succeed or do something very well'. We say it to give encouragement. Got it, Rob?

Rob
I think I have, but let’s hear some examples to be sure...

Examples

My favourite football team has smashed it and won the cup!

She’s smashed it in her exams and passed every single one.

You’ve trained so hard for the race; you’re going to smash it.

Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re hearing about the phrase ‘smash it’, which describes succeeding in something or doing something very well. And let’s hope Rob smashes it in his pottery competition.

Rob
Thanks. I hope so. I would do anything to win something. I’ve got the pot here now – and I have to admit, it does look very good.

Feifei
It does, Rob. A perfect shape… very smooth sides... nicely painted - just like the ones you see in the shops. Hold on…

Rob
Err, yes?

Feifei
That is the one in the shop - they have lots of them for sale for five pounds.

Rob
Oops! Oh, I have really have smashed it now.

Feifei
You have! And you’ve smashed it… at being a cheat. You can’t win a pottery competition with a shop-bought one!

Rob
I just wanted to win. I’ll have to buy another one now. Could you lend me five pounds?

Feifei
No.

Rob
Oh, OK. Bye then.

Feifei
Bye.

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