Friday Phrase
Intermediate level
Have a frog in your throat
Episode 191025 / 25 Oct 2019

- Play an animal idioms game
- Improve your English pronunciation
- Exam skills: 4 tips to help with your listening exams
HAVE/GET A FROG IN YOUR THROAT
Have you ever had a dry throat and found it difficult to speak? In English we use the idiom 'have a frog in your throat' to describe that situation.
It can be used as a comment when someone loses their voice - 'You have a frog in your throat.'
Example Sentences
- Sorry, I’ve lost my voice. I have a frog in my throat.
- My manager keeps coughing. I think he’s got a frog in his throat.
- You sound really hoarse today. Have you got a frog in your throat?
- "Basically, it feels like a frog in the throat that can't be cleared. Just a strange experience, I'll consult the local GP tomorrow if symptoms remain." (BBC News story, 2013)
Now You Try
Colds and flu can alter our voices. Have you ever had a frog in your throat? Some people drink hot tea with lemon and honey as a home remedy. Others eat raw ginger. What do you do to sound better when you have a frog in your throat? Share your tips with us.
😉 You can also share it with everybody on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages - we're waiting 🐸
😉
Latest Friday Phrase
Down to earth
Episode 200306 / 06 Mar 2020
Learn a useful expression to describe a sensible, practical person
A helicopter parent
Episode 200228 / 28 Feb 2020
Learn a useful expression to describe an overprotective parent.
Personal goals
Episode 200221 / 21 Feb 2020
Learn a useful phrase to talk about setting objectives at work.
Not put a foot wrong
Episode 200214 / 14 Feb 2020
Learn a phrase to describe someone not making mistakes.
Take after someone
Episode 200207 / 07 Feb 2020
Learn a useful phrasal verb to say that you are similar to an older member of your family.
Look up to someone
Episode 200131 / 23 Jan 2020
Learn a useful multi-word verb to say that you admire someone
Black sheep
Episode 200124 / 24 Jan 2020
What to say when a member of our family tends to behave badly
Take a well-earned break
Episode 200110 / 10 Jan 2020
Do you need a rest after a period of hard work?
Go bargain hunting
Episode 191213 / 13 Dec 2019
Do you spend a lot of time shopping for the cheapest item?
Half-baked
Episode 191115 / 15 Nov 2019
Had an idea not properly thought through? This phrase's for you!
To spoon-feed
Episode 191108 / 08 Nov 2019
Have you ever provided so much help to someone that they didn't even need to think? There's a phrase for that.
Do numbers
Episode 191101 / 01 Nov 2019
Find out how to use the phrase 'do numbers' in BBC Learning English's Friday Phrase series.
Have a frog in your throat
Episode 191025 / 25 Oct 2019
Find out how to use the phrase 'have a frog in your throat' in BBC Learning English's Friday Phrase series.
One in a million
Episode 191011 / 09 Oct 2019
Find out how to use the phrase 'one in a million' in BBC Learning English's Friday Phrase series.