BBC The English We Speak

The English We Speak

Make the English you speak sound more natural with The English We Speak from bbclearningenglish.com. Every week, we look at a different everyday English phrase or piece of slang in this fun three-minute programme.
English United Kingdom Language Learning
240 Episodes
1 – 20

The English We Speak: The name of the game

Learn an expression to talk about the most important aspect of something. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250414 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus The Pronunciation Lounge ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_pronunciation_lounge Subscribe to our newsletter ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some…
15 Apr 2 min

The English We Speak: Do it for the plot

An expression for when you make spontaneous life decisions for entertainment. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250407 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus The Pronunciation Lounge ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_pronunciation_lounge Subscribe to our newsletter ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of…
8 Apr 2 min

The English We Speak: Let something slide

You're late! I'll let it slide just this once... This phrase has two meanings. Learn them and hear some examples in this episode. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250331 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus The Pronunciation Lounge…
1 Apr 3 min

The English We Speak: Twist someone's arm

What does it mean to 'twist someone's arm'? TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250324 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus The Pronunciation Lounge ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_pronunciation_lounge Subscribe to our newsletter ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular…
25 Mar 2 min

The English We Speak: Have someone on

This means making someone believe something that isn't true, but in a jokey way. Learn how to use this expression here. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250317 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus The Pronunciation Lounge ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_pronunciation_lounge Subscribe…
25 Mar 3 min

The English We Speak: Can-do attitude

If you have a can-do attitude, you don't let anything stop you. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250310FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglishFollow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning…
11 Mar 2 min

The English We Speak: Go to

Your 'go-to' is your preferred option. Learn how to use this phrase.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250303FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning…
4 Mar 4 min

The English We Speak: Skedaddle

Do you need to skedaddle? Leave somewhere in a hurry? Learn this expression.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250224FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️…
25 Feb 2 min

My Song, My Home: Adam in Ipswich

Welcome to our new music series My Song, My Home. In each episode we meet a new musician who tells us about their home town and performs a song to help you learn.Today, we meet musician Adam, who performs for us in Ipswich town centre.WATCH ADAM PERFORM: Find a video…
18 Feb 11 min

The English We Speak: Main character moment

Look at her - she's having such a main character moment on the dance floor! Learn this internet phrase TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250217FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersLIKE PODCASTS? Try some…
17 Feb 5 min

My Song, My Home: Alice in Leeds

Welcome to our new music series My Song, My Home. In each episode we meet a new musician who tells us about their home town and performs a song to help you learn.Today, we meet musician Alice, who performs for us in Leeds city centre.WATCH ALICE PERFORM: Find a video…
11 Feb 11 min

The English We Speak: Fall on stony ground

We hope our advice doesn't fall on stony ground. Learn a new expressionTRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250210FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️…
10 Feb 2 min

My Song, My Home: Grace in Liverpool

Welcome to our new music series My Song, My Home. In each episode we meet a new musician who tells us about their home town and performs a song to help you learn.Today, we meet Grace, who performs for us in a library in Liverpool.With thanks to the University of…
4 Feb 13 min

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.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250203FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including:…
3 Feb 4 min

My Song, My Home: Josh in London

Welcome to our new music series My Song, My Home. In each episode we meet a new musician who tells us about their home town and performs a song to help you learn.Learn vocabulary from song lyrics and hear natural English speakers.In this episode, we meet musician Josh who sings…
28 Jan 13 min

The English We Speak: Ship

A word that means you want two people to be in a relationship.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250127FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️…
27 Jan 5 min

My Song, My Home: Bailey in St Ives

Welcome to our new music series My Song, My Home. In each episode we meet a new musician who tells us about their home town and performs a song to help you learn.Learn vocabulary from song lyrics and hear natural English speakers.In this episode, we meet musician Bailey who sings…
21 Jan 15 min

The English We Speak: Twig

A word for when you suddenly realise or understand something. Learn it here TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250120FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including:…
20 Jan 6 min

The English We Speak: Mooch

An informal British English word that means to wander or stroll around casually.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250113FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️…
14 Jan 5 min

The English We Speak: By the book

This expression is all about following the rules.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-250106FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English for Work ✔️…
7 Jan 4 min
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