The English We Speak: Warts and all

An expression that means including all your imperfections.

• 3 mins

The English We Speak: That's on you

When someone tells you 'that's on you', they're telling you that it's your fault.

• 2 mins

The English We Speak: On the fly

Should you cook on the fly, or follow a recipe? Learn a phrase to talk about improvising.

• 2 mins

The English We Speak: Shoehorn something in

Learn an expression that means force something in somewhere that it doesn't quite fit

• 2 mins

The English We Speak: Give it some welly!

Say this if you want to encourage someone to put some more effort into an activity.

• 2 mins

The English We Speak: In my travel era

An expression that means you're focussed on one thing at a particular period of life

• 3 mins

The English We Speak: The flip side

An expression to change someone's perspective. Learn it here

• 3 mins

The English We Speak: You can't go wrong with

If you 'can't go wrong' with a suggestion, you can't fail if you use it.

• 2 mins

The English We Speak: Turn over a new leaf

Many of us hope to turn over a new leaf when a new year starts.

• 3 mins

The English We Speak: By the book

This expression is all about following the rules.

• 2 mins

The English We Speak: Mooch

An informal British English word that means to wander or stroll around casually.

• 2 mins

The English We Speak: Twig

A word for when you suddenly realise or understand something. Learn it here

• 3 mins

My Song, My Home: Bailey in St Ives

In our new music series, we meet musician Bailey who sings for us by the sea.

• 11 mins

The English We Speak: Ship

A word that means you want two people to be in a relationship.

• 3 mins

My Song, My Home: Josh in London

In our new music series, we meet musician Josh who sings for us at the BBC.

• 10 mins

The English We Speak: Make a rod for your own back

An expression that means you are doing something that will cause you future problems

• 2 mins

My Song, My Home: Grace in Liverpool

Today, we meet Grace, who performs for us in a library in Liverpool.

• 10 mins

The English We Speak: Fall on stony ground

We hope our advice doesn't fall on stony ground. Learn a new expression

• 2 mins

My Song, My Home: Alice in Leeds

Today, we meet musician Alice, who performs for us in Leeds city centre.

• 10 mins

The English We Speak: Main character moment

Look at her - she's having such a main character moment on the dance floor!

• 3 mins

My Song, My Home: Adam in Ipswich

Today, we meet musician Adam, who performs for us in Ipswich town centre.

• 11 mins

The English We Speak: Skedaddle

Do you need to skedaddle? Leave somewhere in a hurry? Learn this expression

• 2 mins

The English We Speak: Go to

Your 'go-to' is your preferred option. Learn how to use this phrase.

• 2 mins

The English We Speak: Can-do attitude

If you have a can-do attitude, you don't let anything stop you.

• 2 mins

The English We Speak: Have someone on

This means making someone believe something that isn't true, but in a jokey way.

• 2 mins

The English We Speak: Twist someone's arm

What does it mean to 'twist someone's arm'?

• 2 mins

The English We Speak: Let something slide

This phrase has two meanings. Learn them and hear some examples in this episode.

• 3 mins

The English We Speak: Do it for the plot

An expression for when you make spontaneous life decisions for entertainment.

• 2 mins

The English We Speak: The name of the game

Learn an expression to talk about the most important aspect of something.

• 2 mins

The English We Speak: Dial down

Here's an expression we use to talk about reducing the intensity of something.

• 2 mins