The English We Speak

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/learningeng...

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/learninge...

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/followusS...

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/fol...

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/learningeng...

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 of Adam's song on our website https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/my-song-my-home/episode5-videoWORKSHEET: Find a full...

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:/...

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 of Alice’s song on our website https://bbc.in/4h8W7UEWORKSHEET: Find a full transcript, song lyrics and test what you’...

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/f...

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 Liverpool. WATCH GRACE PERFORM: Find a video of Grace’s song on our website https://bbc.in/4fVYkkZWORKSHEET: Find a full transcri...

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/le...

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 for us at the BBC.WATCH JOSH PERFORM: Find a video of Josh’s song on our website https://bbc.in/4jleE1wWORKSHEET:...

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/followusS...

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 for us by the sea. WATCH BAILEY PERFORM: See St Ives and watch Bailey’s song https://bbc.in/3PD6OmrWORKSHEET: F...

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/learningengl...

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/learnin...

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 O...

Many of us hope to turn over a new leaf when a new year starts. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-241230FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus...

If you 'can't go wrong' with a suggestion, you can't fail if you use it. 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-241223FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️...

An expression to change someone's perspective. Learn it hereTRANSCRIPT 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-241216FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.b...

An expression that means you're focused on one thing at a particular period of lifeTRANSCRIPT 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-241209FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us &#10004...

Say this if you want to encourage someone to put some more effort into an activity. 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-241202FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us &#1000...

Learn an expression that means force something in somewhere that it doesn't quite fit. 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-241125FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us &#1...

Should you cook on the fly, or follow a recipe? Learn a phrase to talk about improvising. 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-241118FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us...

When someone tells you 'that's on you', they're telling you that it's your fault. 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-241111FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔...