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
239 Episodes
40 – 60

The English we speak: Ham-fisted

Here's an expression about clumsiness. [Image: Getty] For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240708FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some…
9 Jul 2024 4 min

The English we speak: Second nature

Here's an expression that means you can do something without having to think about it, because it's so familiar to you. [Image: Getty] For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240701FIND…
2 Jul 2024 5 min

The English we speak: Take the plunge

For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com (Image: Getty)Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240624FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including:…
25 Jun 2024 4 min

The English We Speak: Peaks and troughs

Ever felt like you’re on the rollercoaster of life and you don’t know a good way to say it?(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240617FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️…
18 Jun 2024 5 min

The English We Speak: Heavy lifting

Heavy lifting isn’t about the gym. Learn this expression here.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240610FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts…
11 Jun 2024 5 min

The English We Speak: Stir the pot

Some people just love causing trouble. This expression is about them!(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240603FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular…
4 Jun 2024 3 min

The English We Speak: Wishy-washy

Here's an expression to use when things are just too vague.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240527FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular…
28 May 2024 2 min

The English We Speak: Shook

A word to express surprise or shock.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240520FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ 6…
21 May 2024 3 min

The English We Speak: Do the trick

An expression that means relax and celebrate.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240513FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ 6…
14 May 2024 3 min

IMPORTANT: This podcast is changing its name

This podcast is changing its name! Don’t worry, you will still be able to learn new expressions with The English We Speak. And we’ll also have some new programmes with authentic English conversation to help you learn. Make sure you follow this podcast: ‘Learning English Conversations’ on your podcast app…
13 May 2024 2 min

Zing

Zing is that special something that's hard to describe, but makes things more exciting.
7 May 2024 2 min

Do the trick

Here's an expression that describes something solving a problem.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240422.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including:…
30 Apr 2024 2 min

Beige flag

An expression that describes a habit you find strange, but doesn't make you not like someone. (Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240422.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS?…
23 Apr 2024 3 min

Lay it on thick

An expression about exaggerating or praising someone too much.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240409.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including:…
16 Apr 2024 2 min

Telling porkies

Here's a light-hearted expression about not telling the truth.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240409.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including:…
9 Apr 2024 2 min

In on it

We have an phrase which means to know about something or to be involved in it.
2 Apr 2024 2 min

Walk someone through

TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240325FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including:✔️6 Minute English ✔️ News Review ✔️Office English They're all available…
26 Mar 2024 3 min

Brick by brick

TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240318.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ News Review ✔️ Office…
19 Mar 2024 3 min

Read the room

Here’s a phrase that means to work out how people feel. Learn how to use it!
13 Mar 2024 2 min

Cook up an idea

Here’s a phrase that means to come up with an idea carefully. Learn how to use it here For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com (Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240311FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH…
12 Mar 2024 3 min
40 – 60