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.
- Updated:
Weekly -
Episodes available:
Indefinitely
All episodes (73)
The English We Speak: Happy Bunny: 20 Feb 12
Mon, 20 Feb 12
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'Happy bunny'.
The English We Speak: Get your hands dirty: 13 Feb 12
Mon, 13 Feb 12
Duration:
3 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. In this edition of The English We Speak find out the meaning of the expression 'Get your hands dirty'.
The English We Speak: Don't get me wrong!: 06 Feb 12
Mon, 6 Feb 12
Duration:
3 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. In this edition of The English We Speak, Li finds Neil's cat 'just a bit surprising' and teaches us a useful phrase to prevent people taking offence at something.
The English We Speak: Dragon: 30 Jan 2012
Mon, 30 Jan 12
Duration:
5 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the meaning of the word 'Dragon'.
The English We Speak: Easy Tiger!: 23 Jan 2012
Mon, 23 Jan 12
Duration:
3 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'Easy tiger!'.
The English We Speak: Stuffed: 16 Jan 2012
Mon, 16 Jan 12
Duration:
3 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the words 'stuff' and 'stuffed'.
The English We Speak: Bubbly: 9 Jan 2012
Mon, 9 Jan 12
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the word 'bubbly'.
The English We Speak: All the trimmings: 2 Jan 2012
Mon, 2 Jan 12
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week we talk about Christmas and the phrase 'all the trimmings'.
The English We Speak: Cheesy: 26 Dec 2011
Mon, 26 Dec 11
Duration:
3 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at new meanings of the word 'cheesy'.
The English We Speak: Work for peanuts: 19 Dec 11
Mon, 19 Dec 11
Duration:
5 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'work for peanuts'.
The English We Speak: Sinking Feeling: 12 Dec 11
Mon, 12 Dec 11
Duration:
5 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'sinking feeling'.
The English We Speak: Head over Heels: 05 Dec 11
Mon, 5 Dec 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'head over heels'.
The English We Speak: Nailed It! 28 Nov 11
Mon, 28 Nov 11
Duration:
4 minsNeil needs to put a clock on the studio wall, but can he nail it? Find out more in this week's programme.
The English We Speak: Lairy
Mon, 21 Nov 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the word 'lairy'.
TEWS: Sponger: 14 Nov 11
Mon, 14 Nov 11
Duration:
4 minsNeil tells Li about his plan to live in luxury after giving up his job. Find out more about how he will pay for his expense in this week's programme.
TEWS: The Creeps: 07 Nov 11
Mon, 7 Nov 11
Duration:
3 minsIn our special Halloween edition Neil and Li try to give you the creeps.
TEWS: Smoothie: 01 Nov 11
Mon, 31 Oct 11
Duration:
4 minsAre you a smoothie? Learn different meanings of the word 'smoothie' with Neil and Li.
The English We Speak: 'Get Lost'
Mon, 24 Oct 11
Duration:
3 minsThe English countryside is beautiful but causes problems for Helen and Rob. Find out more about this phrasal verb in this week's The English We Speak.
The English We Speak: Playing Up
Thu, 20 Oct 11
Duration:
3 minsEveryone likes to see children playing, but do we also want them to play up? Find out more about this phrasal verb with Rob and Helen.
The English We Speak: Heavy
Mon, 10 Oct 11
Duration:
3 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at new meanings of the word 'heavy'.
The English We Speak: You've changed your tune
Mon, 3 Oct 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'You've changed your tune'.
The English We Speak: Hold your horses
Mon, 26 Sep 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'hold your horses'.
The English We Speak: Yob
Mon, 19 Sep 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the word 'yob'.
The English We Speak: To Jump the Gun
Mon, 12 Sep 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'to jump the gun'.
The English We Speak: Mind-boggling
Mon, 5 Sep 11
Duration:
3 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the word 'mind-boggling'.
The English We Speak: Brownie Points
Mon, 29 Aug 11
Duration:
3 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'brownie points'.
The English We Speak: To nick
Mon, 22 Aug 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at different uses of the word 'to nick'.
The English We Speak: In the nick of time
Mon, 15 Aug 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'in the nick of time'.
The English We Speak: On a roll
Mon, 8 Aug 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'on a roll'.
The English We Speak: Do
Mon, 1 Aug 11
Duration:
3 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at a different usage of the word 'do'.
The English We Speak: Glamping
Mon, 25 Jul 11
Duration:
3 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's word is glamping.
The English We Speak: To Blow Your Own Trumpet
Mon, 18 Jul 11
Duration:
5 minsWilliam and Helen look at a musical idiom in honour of the BBC Proms, a classical music festival. Listen to find out more.
The English We Speak: To Nip Something in the Bud
Mon, 11 Jul 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's idiom is 'to nip something in the bud'.
The English We Speak: Teetotal
Mon, 4 Jul 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's word is 'teetotal'.
The English We Speak: Festival Phrases
Mon, 27 Jun 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week we're looking at phrases related to festivals.
The English We Speak: Fatherhood
Mon, 20 Jun 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week we're looking at some phrases relating to fatherhood.
The English We Speak: Hullabaloo
Mon, 13 Jun 11
Duration:
5 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's word is 'hullabaloo'.
The English We Speak: Bounce: 6 June 2011
Mon, 6 Jun 11
Duration:
3 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week we're looking at a new slang usage of the word 'bounce'.
The English We Speak: The special relationship: 30 May 2011
Mon, 30 May 11
Duration:
5 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's phrase is 'The special relationship'.
The English We Speak: 'Baby Talk': 23 May 2011
Mon, 23 May 11
Duration:
5 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's phrase is 'baby talk'.
The English We Speak: 'Gatecrash'
Mon, 16 May 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's word is 'gatecrash'.
The English We Speak: -gate: 9 May 2011
Mon, 9 May 11
Duration:
5 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the origin and meaning of the suffix '-gate'.
The English We Speak: Touchy-feely: 25 April 2011
Mon, 25 Apr 11
Duration:
5 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's phrase is touchy-feely.
The English We Speak: Two Ticks: 18 April 2011
Mon, 18 Apr 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week we find out what it means when someone says "I'll be with you in two ticks", and other related phrases.
The English We Speak: Swizz: 11 April 2011
Mon, 11 Apr 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week, find out how Li became the victim of a swizz.
The English We Speak: 'Sick': 4 April 2011
Mon, 4 Apr 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's word is 'sick' which can have a different meaning to the one you'd expect.
The English We Speak: 'Savvy': 28 March 2011
Mon, 28 Mar 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases that you might not find in your dictionary. This week's word is 'savvy'.
The English We Speak: ' anorak': 21 March 2011
Mon, 21 Mar 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases that you might not find in your dictionary. This week's word is 'anorak'.
The English We Speak: 'Awesome': 14 March 2011
Thu, 10 Mar 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases that you might not find in your dictionary. This week's word is 'awesome'
The English We Speak: 'Wee': 07 March 2011
Mon, 7 Mar 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases that you might not find in your dictionary. This week's word is 'wee'
The English We Speak: 'Green': 28 Feb 2011
Mon, 28 Feb 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases that you might not find in your dictionary. This week's word is 'green'
The English We Speak: 'Loved Up': 21 Feb 2011
Mon, 21 Feb 11
Duration:
3 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases that you might not find in your dictionary. This week's phrase is 'loved up'
The English We Speak: 'Chillax': 14 Feb 2011
Mon, 14 Feb 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases that you might not find in your dictionary. This week's word is 'chillax'
The English We Speak: 'Rabbit': 7 Feb 2011
Mon, 7 Feb 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases that you might not find in your dictionary. This week's phrase is 'rabbit in the headlights'.
The English We Speak: 'Tastic': 31 Jan 2011
Mon, 31 Jan 11
Duration:
4 minsThis week Finn and Wang Fei talk about the usage of the suffix -tastic. What does it mean and what words can you use it with?
The English We Speak: 'Icebreaker': 24 Jan 2011
Mon, 24 Jan 11
Duration:
4 minsIn this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases that you might not find in your dictionary. This week's word is 'icebreaker'.
The English We Speak: 'Good Egg': 17 Jan 2011
Mon, 17 Jan 11
Duration:
3 minsIn our new series you can learn authentic English words and phrases that you might not find in your dictionary. This week's phrase is 'good egg'.
BBC Learning English Pantomime 2010 - Cinderella - Part 3
Mon, 10 Jan 11
Duration:
6 minsListen to the final part of our pantomime. Last time, Cinderella had to leave the ball in a big rush. Will she really get her happy ending this week?
BBC Learning English Pantomime 2010 - Cinderella - Part 2
Mon, 3 Jan 11
Duration:
6 minsListen to the second part of our pantomime. This week, Cinderella meets the charming Prince Stephen. But he only speaks in English idioms! The final part of the pantomime is next week.
BBC Learning English Pantomime 2010 - Cinderella - Part 1
Mon, 27 Dec 10
Duration:
10 minsListen to the first part of Cinderella, our special pantomime. Cinderella dreams of escaping her ugly sisters, but how will she ever be able to go to Prince Stephen's Ball? Part two is next week.
KYE: English up to date 'Bottle and Bottler': 22 Nov 2010
Mon, 29 Nov 10
Duration:
3 minsIn the last programme of the series, John Ayto explains the origin, meaning and use of the words 'bottle' and 'bottler'.
KYE: English up to date 'Early Doors': 22 Nov 2010
Mon, 22 Nov 10
Duration:
3 minsIn this week's episode, John Ayto explores the origin, meaning and use of the expression 'early doors'.
KYE: English up to date 'Go Commando': 15 Nov 2010
Mon, 15 Nov 10
Duration:
3 minsIn this week's episode, John Ayto explores the origin, meaning and use of the phrase 'go commando'.
KYE: English up to date 'Go Postal': 08 Nov 2010
Mon, 8 Nov 10
Duration:
3 minsIn this week's episode, John Ayto explores the origin, meaning and use of the phrase 'go postal'.
KYE: English up to date 'Fit for Purpose': 01 Nov 2010
Mon, 1 Nov 10
Duration:
3 minsIn this episode, John Ayto examines the meaning and usage of the phrase 'fit for purpose'.
KYE: English up to date 'Issue': 25 Oct 2010
Mon, 25 Oct 10
Duration:
3 minsIn this episode, John Ayto examines the meaning of the word 'issue' and how it can sometimes be used instead of the word 'problem'.
KYE: English up to date 'Hella': 18 Oct 2010
Mon, 18 Oct 10
Duration:
3 minsIn this week's episode, John Ayto explores the origin, meaning and use of the prefix 'hella'.
KYE: English up to date 'Chugger': 11 Oct 2010
Mon, 11 Oct 10
Duration:
3 minsIn this episode, John Ayto examines the meaning of the word 'chugger'.
KYE: English up to date 'Edgy': 4 Oct 2010
Mon, 4 Oct 10
Duration:
3 minsIn this episode, John Ayto examines a new use of the word 'edgy'.
KYE: English up to Date 'Minging': 27 Sept 2010
Mon, 27 Sep 10
Duration:
3 minsIn this episode, John Ayto considers how people use the word 'minging'.
KYE: English up to date 'Bridezilla': 20 Sept 10
Mon, 20 Sep 10
Duration:
3 minsJohn Ayto explains the origin, meaning and use of the word 'bridezilla'
KYE: English up to date 'Tweet': 13 Sept 2010
Mon, 13 Sep 10
Duration:
3 minsIn this episode, you'll find out about a word regularly used when we talk about social networking. John Ayto explores the origins and uses of the word "Tweet"
KYE: English up to date 'Apps': 6 Sept 2010
Mon, 6 Sep 10
Duration:
3 minsIn this first episode in a new series of Keep your English up to date, John Ayto explains the origin, meaning and use of the word 'apps'
Terms of Use
The BBC Podcasts are for your personal non-commercial use only.
All title, ownership rights and intellectual property rights in and to the BBC Podcasts shall remain the property of the BBC or third parties. You may not edit, alter, adapt or add to the BBC Podcast in any way. The BBC Podcasts are made available by the BBC on an "as is" and "as available" basis and the BBC gives no warranty of any kind in relation to the BBC Podcast. To the maximum extent permitted by law the BBC will not be liable for any loss or damage which you may suffer as a result of, or connected to, the download or use of the BBC Podcasts.
Play episodes
- The English We Speak: Happy Bunny: 20 Feb 12
- The English We Speak: Get your hands dirty: 13 Feb 12
- The English We Speak: Don't get me wrong!: 06 Feb 12
- The English We Speak: Dragon: 30 Jan 2012
- The English We Speak: Easy Tiger!: 23 Jan 2012
- The English We Speak: Stuffed: 16 Jan 2012
- The English We Speak: Bubbly: 9 Jan 2012
- The English We Speak: All the trimmings: 2 Jan 2012
- The English We Speak: Cheesy: 26 Dec 2011
- The English We Speak: Work for peanuts: 19 Dec 11
- The English We Speak: Sinking Feeling: 12 Dec 11
- The English We Speak: Head over Heels: 05 Dec 11
- The English We Speak: Nailed It! 28 Nov 11
- The English We Speak: Lairy
- TEWS: Sponger: 14 Nov 11
- TEWS: The Creeps: 07 Nov 11
- TEWS: Smoothie: 01 Nov 11
- The English We Speak: 'Get Lost'
- The English We Speak: Playing Up
- The English We Speak: Heavy
- The English We Speak: You've changed your tune
- The English We Speak: Hold your horses
- The English We Speak: Yob
- The English We Speak: To Jump the Gun
- The English We Speak: Mind-boggling
- The English We Speak: Brownie Points
- The English We Speak: To nick
- The English We Speak: In the nick of time
- The English We Speak: On a roll
- The English We Speak: Do
- The English We Speak: Glamping
- The English We Speak: To Blow Your Own Trumpet
- The English We Speak: To Nip Something in the Bud
- The English We Speak: Teetotal
- The English We Speak: Festival Phrases
- The English We Speak: Fatherhood
- The English We Speak: Hullabaloo
- The English We Speak: Bounce: 6 June 2011
- The English We Speak: The special relationship: 30 May 2011
- The English We Speak: 'Baby Talk': 23 May 2011
- The English We Speak: 'Gatecrash'
- The English We Speak: -gate: 9 May 2011
- The English We Speak: Touchy-feely: 25 April 2011
- The English We Speak: Two Ticks: 18 April 2011
- The English We Speak: Swizz: 11 April 2011
- The English We Speak: 'Sick': 4 April 2011
- The English We Speak: 'Savvy': 28 March 2011
- The English We Speak: ' anorak': 21 March 2011
- The English We Speak: 'Awesome': 14 March 2011
- The English We Speak: 'Wee': 07 March 2011
- The English We Speak: 'Green': 28 Feb 2011
- The English We Speak: 'Loved Up': 21 Feb 2011
- The English We Speak: 'Chillax': 14 Feb 2011
- The English We Speak: 'Rabbit': 7 Feb 2011
- The English We Speak: 'Tastic': 31 Jan 2011
- The English We Speak: 'Icebreaker': 24 Jan 2011
- The English We Speak: 'Good Egg': 17 Jan 2011
- BBC Learning English Pantomime 2010 - Cinderella - Part 3
- BBC Learning English Pantomime 2010 - Cinderella - Part 2
- BBC Learning English Pantomime 2010 - Cinderella - Part 1
- KYE: English up to date 'Bottle and Bottler': 22 Nov 2010
- KYE: English up to date 'Early Doors': 22 Nov 2010
- KYE: English up to date 'Go Commando': 15 Nov 2010
- KYE: English up to date 'Go Postal': 08 Nov 2010
- KYE: English up to date 'Fit for Purpose': 01 Nov 2010
- KYE: English up to date 'Issue': 25 Oct 2010
- KYE: English up to date 'Hella': 18 Oct 2010
- KYE: English up to date 'Chugger': 11 Oct 2010
- KYE: English up to date 'Edgy': 4 Oct 2010
- KYE: English up to Date 'Minging': 27 Sept 2010
- KYE: English up to date 'Bridezilla': 20 Sept 10
- KYE: English up to date 'Tweet': 13 Sept 2010
- KYE: English up to date 'Apps': 6 Sept 2010
Bookmark this page:
BBC iD
Sign inbbc.co.uk navigation
Site links
BBC links
© 2012
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.