Mental gymnastics

How do we talk about complicated tasks done by your brain?

• 2 mins

Tread on someone's toes

It can be annoying when someone does something you were supposed to do.

• 2 mins

One-up

Do you want to beat your friends by saying what you have done that is better than them?

• 2 mins

Fly by night

When companies or people can't be trusted, use this expression.

• 2 mins

Sound out

Sometimes you just want to find out what someone else thinks.

• 2 mins

Plan b

If you need an alternative option, you need to know this phrase. Learn how to use it.

• 2 mins

I'm out

Sometimes you need to say you don't have anything left. Learn 'I'm out'.

• 2 mins

Touch grass

Do you spend too much time online? Here's an expression you can use to say 'take a break'.

• 2 mins

I don't buy it

Here's an expression you can use to say 'I don't believe you'

• 1 min

Light up like a Christmas tree

Has something suddenly made you look very happy? Learn an expression for this.

• 2 mins

Bring something to the party

You want to say that you can offer a lot. Learn a phrase for this.

• 2 mins

Elbow grease

Some things just need a little elbow grease. Learn what that is in this programme.

• 2 mins

Rears its head

Want to talk about problems? Here's a useful phrase

• 1 min

A blow

What a blow! It's so disappointing. Learn how to use this with us

• 2 mins

On the go

A phrase to describe how busy you are

• 2 mins

Make your hair stand on end

Here’s a phrase about things that scare you. Learn how to use it in this programme.

• 2 mins

Cash in on something

Learn a phrase about making money.

• 1 min

A million to one

Here's an expression to say something is extremely unlikely

• 2 mins

Rinse repeat

An expression to describe repetitive tiresome actions. Learn how to use it here.

• 2 mins

Cook up an idea

Here’s a phrase that means to come up with an idea carefully. Learn how to use it here.

• 2 mins

Read the room

Here’s a phrase that means to work out how people feel. Learn how to use it!

• 2 mins

Brick by brick

There are some things that you have to build up gradually. Talk about them using this.

• 2 mins

Walk someone through

Let us walk you through how to use this phrase.

• 2 mins

In on it

We have an phrase which means to know about something or to be involved in it.

• 2 mins

Telling porkies

Here's a light-hearted expression about not telling the truth.

• 2 mins

Lay it on thick

An expression about exaggerating or praising someone too much.

• 2 mins

Beige flag

This describes a habit you find strange, but doesn't make someone unlikeable.

• 2 mins

Do the trick

Here's an expression that describes something solving a problem.

• 2 mins

Zing

Zing is that special something that's hard to describe, but makes things more exciting.

• 2 mins

IMPORTANT: This podcast is changing its name

Follow ‘Learning English Conversations’ to get all the latest episodes.

• 1 min