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Introduction

Sometimes you want to claim something before anyone else takes it. It could be the comfiest seat in the room or the last slice of pizza! Learn a phrase that helps you tell everyone it's yours.

Transcript

Beth
Welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Beth.

Jiaying
And I'm Jiaying.

Beth
We have a word which is all about having a claim on something, making sure you say what you want before anyone else takes it – the word is ‘dibs'. And it's often used in the expression 'call dibs'.

Jiaying
'Call dibs'. Can you give us some context, Beth?

Beth
Well, you know that pizza we were eating earlier, the really delicious one, there's one slice left and I want it!

Jiaying
You better call dibs then! Make sure everyone knows it's yours before they try and take it!

Beth
I will, as soon as we’re done here! By the way, for dinner tonight, are you driving everyone to the restaurant?

Jiaying
I am. I'm taking you, Neil and Feifei. Neil always likes to sit in the front so you should probably call dibs on the front seat if you want to sit with me!

Beth
I will! In fact I'll do it now. Dibs sitting in the front! Now, no one can fight me for the best seat. Let’s hear some more examples.

Examples
Wow, that slice of chocolate cake is huge. I call dibs on it!

We all need to be in teams for this game. Dibs being on a team with Stephanie.

There are six of us but only three chairs. Dibs a seat.

Jiaying
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we are learning the expression ‘call dibs’, which is an informal way of claiming something before anyone else.

Beth
It's usually used for small silly things where it doesn't really matter if you don't get what you want.

Jiaying
And there are two main ways of using it when you want to call dibs. You can say 'I call dibs on something' or you can say 'dibs' and then the thing you're claiming, like 'dibs that chair'. By the way, you do look very comfy in that chair Beth.

Beth
Well, this is the comfiest chair in the studio, so I called dibs.

Jiaying
I might call dibs on that seat next time then. That reminds me, that pizza slice is still there…and I'm feeling a bit hungry.

Beth
No! I'm going to go and get it before you call dibs. See you next time!

Jiaying
Bye for now!

Beth
Bye.

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