Learning English Conversations

Here for what exactly? Learn how to show your support for something with this expression

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If you express two ideas using 'in the same breath', you contrast them both and add weight to one. It's used to introduce a contradiction. Though the ideas are different, both could be true, but the latter idea, which comes after 'in the same breath', usually carries more weight. Learn how to use this expression with Becca and Feifei.

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Sometimes people leave you to do something on your own because they trust you. Sometimes people just don't want to help you. In both of these situations we can say that you are left to your own devices. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.

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Try your patience means 'test your patience'. Find out how to use it here with Phil and Feifei.

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I’ve got too many plans. I’m going to sack them off and just chill out this week! Learn how to use 'sack something off' in this programme with Georgie and Feifei.

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An expression to use when you feel stressed about something small and usually not worth the panic. Learn it here with Georgie and Feifei.

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Same hair, same style, same ways of waking and talking? They might be the 'same person, different font'. Learn how to use this expression with Becca and Feifei.

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Do you want to share a surprising opinion? Learn how to use 'hot take' with Feifei and Becca.

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Sometimes people lie to try and get away with things. They are just trying It on. Learn how to use 'try it on' with Feifei and Phil. As always, get your free transcript for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260907

Also on our website, you can practice your listening and speaking: - The Listening Room https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room - The Reading Room https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_reading_room

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Some ideas are just never going to work. Those are what we call 'non-starters'. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.

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Notes here is about negative feedback, so ‘no notes’ means that something is perfect. Use it when you have nothing negative to say. Learn about this expression and how to use it with Feifei and Georgie.

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This modern expression is a way of responding enthusiastically to a suggestion. It means something similar to ‘say no more’. Learn when and how to use it with Georgie and Feifei.

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✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260817

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Think you sometimes over-share unnecessary details? Learn how to use 'share your life story' with Becca and Feifei.

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✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260810

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Learn an expression to use when someone doesn't socialise much with other people and prefers to be alone.

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Come back here this time next week for the next episode of The English We Speak

This expression was originally just about clothes, but it now it can mean anything that doesn't consider individual needs. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.

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Do you ever get distracted by something fun? A side quest is where you do something that's different to your main task. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.

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✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260721

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This phrase comes from a longer idiom, ‘like ships that pass at night’. It’s used when two people have busy schedules, and struggle to find time to meet for more than just a brief encounter. Learn how to use it here, with Georgie and Feifei.

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This slang phrase is about knowing what you have to do for a task, and doing it perfectly. Hear examples and learn how to use it in this programme, with Georgie and Feifei.

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✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260706.

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Onto something suggests progress or a good idea. Maybe not a complete answer, but you're moving in the right direction. Learn how to use 'onto something' with Becca and Feifei.

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When we sell ourselves short, we say negative things about ourselves. We undervalue or underestimate ourselves. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Becca.

As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260622.

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