Learning English

Inspiring language learning since 1943

Summary

Here's an odd English phrase that Neil is about to test out on Feifei – will she spot his trickery? Listen to The English We Speak to find out - and learn more about this old fashioned expression.

Transcript

Neil
Hello, I'm Neil…

Feifei
… and I'm Feifei and this is The English We Speak.

Neil
Today I thought I'd impress you with an old Chinese phrase that we use in English now.

Feifei
Oh yes – go on then, Impress me!

Neil
The phrase is jiggery-pokery.

Feifei
Jiggery-pokery! Oh come on, that's not Chinese!

Neil
It is – everyone in China uses it – apparently.

Feifei
I don't think so. What does it mean anyway?

Neil
Jiggery-pokery refers to dishonest behaviour that is intended to trick people.

Feifei
Oh hold on… were you trying to trick me just to illustrate this phrase?

Neil
Yes! I almost tricked you, didn't I?

Feifei
Hmmm. I think we had better hear some better examples of this phrase in action.

Examples
The company is being investigated after some shareholders accused it of jiggery-pokery.

I was surprised that the businessman got away with so much jiggery-pokery before he was finally caught and sent to prison.

Feifei
That's 'jiggery-pokery', which describes dishonest or secret behaviour – but it is definitely not a Chinese phrase, Neil!

Neil
OK, I know. Now before I forget, don't you owe me ten pounds?

Feifei
No! I bought you lunch remember. Honestly, jiggery-pokery in action!

Neil
Well at least you won't forget the phrase now.

Feifei
True. Bye.

Neil
Bye.

تازه ترین The English We Speak

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A little something
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Moment of truth
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duck out
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off base
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Take someone under your wing
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No two ways about it
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-core
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Cook
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Neck of the woods
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Teething problems
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Are you having teething problems with anything?
No leg to stand on
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This phrase means that someone's argument is weak
Speak someone's language
Episode 250915 / 15 Sep 2025
Sushi for lunch? You're speaking my language!
Ate
Episode 250908 / 08 Sep 2025
You ate and left no crumbs!
Muddle along
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Tough it out
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A you problem
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Can't put my finger on it
Episode 250811 / 11 Aug 2025
Use this when you can't quite remember something
All hands on deck
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Shout 'all hands on deck' if you want everyone to help with something
The CEO of
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What are you the CEO of?
Up to my eyes in
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What does ‘up to your eyes in’ mean?
Dabble in
Episode 250714 / 13 Jun 2025
What do you dabble in?
Rope someone in
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What does it mean to rope someone into an activity?
Scratch the surface
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If you've only listened to one of our podcasts, you've barely scratched the surface!
Step into the shoes
Episode 250624 / 24 Jun 2025
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Drop
Episode 250616 / 16 Jun 2025
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All you like
Episode 250609 / 09 Jun 2025
What does 'all you like' mean?
Around the clock
Episode 250602 / 02 Jun 2025
Have you been working around the clock?
Have in your locker
Episode 250526 / 26 May 2025
What have you got in your locker?
Come full circle
Episode 250519 / 19 May 2025
What's a 'full circle moment'?
Grind someone's gears
Episode 250512 / 12 May 2025
What does it mean to 'grind someone's gears'?
Feel seen
Episode 250505 / 05 May 2025
What does it mean to 'feel seen'?
It's giving
Episode 250428 / 28 Apr 2025
What does 'it's giving' mean?
Dial down
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Don't dial down your efforts to learn English!
The name of the game
Episode 250414 / 14 Apr 2025
What do you think is 'the name of the game' when you're learning English?
Do it for the plot
Episode 250407 / 07 Apr 2025
Do it for the plot! Do something spontaneous to make life more exciting
Let something slide
Episode 250331 / 31 Mar 2025
You're late! I'll let it slide just this once...
Twist someone's arm
Episode 250324 / 24 Mar 2025
What does it mean to 'twist someone's arm'?
Have someone on
Episode 250317 / 17 Mar 2025
What does it mean if you're 'having someone on'?
Can-do attitude
Episode 250310 / 10 Mar 2025
If you have a can-do attitude, you don't let anything stop you.
Go-to
Episode 250303 / 03 Mar 2025
Your 'go-to' is your preferred option.
Skedaddle
Episode 250224 / 24 Feb 2025
Look at the time! We'd better skedaddle
Fall on stony ground
Episode 250210 / 10 Feb 2025
We hope our advice doesn't fall on stony ground
Make a rod for your own back
Episode 250203 / 03 Feb 2025
Have you ever made a rod for your own back?
Ship
Episode 250127 / 27 Jan 2025
What does it mean if you 'ship' two people?
Twig
Episode 250120 / 20 Jan 2025
I finally twigged who she was!
Mooch
Episode 250113 / 13 Jan 2025
I love mooching around the market
By the book
Episode 250106 / 06 Jan 2025
What does it mean to 'do things by the book'?
Turn over a new leaf
Episode 241230 / 30 Dec 2024
Turn over a new leaf with this episode!
You can't go wrong with
Episode 241223 / 23 Dec 2024
You can't go wrong with this episode!
The flip side
Episode 241216 / 16 Dec 2024
What does 'the flip side' mean?
In my travel era
Episode 241209 / 09 Dec 2024
What does it mean if you're 'in your travel era'?
Give it some welly!
Episode 241202 / 02 Dec 2024
Learn a fun, encouraging British English expression.
Shoehorn something in
Episode 241125 / 25 Nov 2024
My friend shoehorns that topic into every conversation...
On the fly
Episode 241118 / 18 Nov 2024
Can you learn new phrases on the fly?
That's on you
Episode 241111 / 11 Nov 2024
Not learnt this phrase yet? That's on you!
Warts and all
Episode 241104 / 04 Nov 2024
I love my dog, warts and all!
Off the scale
Episode 241028 / 28 Oct 2024
This lesson is off the scale!
Throw one's toys out the pram
Episode 241021 / 21 Oct 2024
Come on! Don't throw your toys out the pram...
Makes my skin crawl
Episode 241014 / 14 Oct 2024
What makes your skin crawl?
An uphill task
Episode 241007 / 07 Oct 2024
What do you find an uphill task?
Bide someone's time
Episode 240930 / 30 Sep 2024
When is it good to bide your time?
From the get-go
Episode 240923 / 23 Sep 2024
I loved English from the get-go!
Stomping ground
Episode 240916 / 16 Sep 2024
Really? That's my old stomping ground!
Tug at the heartstrings
Episode 240909 / 09 Sep 2024
When was the last time something tugged at your heartstrings?
Clutch at straws
Episode 240902 / 02 Sep 2024
When were you last in a desperate situation?
Crank up
Episode 240826 / 26 Aug 2024
Crank up your vocabulary knowledge with this programme
Find your groove
Episode 240819 / 19 Aug 2024
Have you found your groove?
Top-notch
Episode 240812 / 12 Aug 2024
Have you eaten anything top-notch recently?
Off the cuff
Episode 240805 / 05 Aug 2024
What have you done or said off the cuff?
Take the wheel
Episode 240729 / 29 Jul 2024
What’s the metaphorical meaning of ‘take the wheel’?
The works
Episode 240722 / 22 Jul 2024
Have you ever ordered a pizza with ‘the works’?
Dip your toe into
Episode 240715 / 15 Jul 2024
How does it feel to dip your toe into something new?
Ham-fisted
Episode 240708 / 08 Jul 2024
Are you ever ham-fisted?
Second nature
Episode 240701 / 01 Jul 2024
What's second nature to you?
Take the plunge
Episode 240624 / 24 Jun 2024
Take the plunge and learn this new expression
Peaks and troughs
Episode 240617 / 17 Jun 2024
This phrase will help you talk about the ups and downs of life.
Heavy lifting
Episode 240610 / 10 Jun 2024
Do you have to do all the heavy lifting?
stir the pot
Episode 240603 / 03 Jun 2024
How do you feel when people are stirring the pot?
wishy-washy
Episode 240527 / 27 May 2024
Here's an expression to use when things are just too vague
Shook
Episode 240520 / 20 May 2024
A word to express surprise or shock. Learn more here.
Let loose
Episode 240513 / 13 May 2024
An expression that means relax and celebrate. Learn more here
Zing
Episode 240506 / 06 May 2024
How can you give your English learning a bit of zing?
Do the trick
Episode 240429 / 29 Apr 2024
Learn the expression 'do the trick'
Beige flag
Episode 240422 / 22 Apr 2024
I find it weird. It's a beige flag.
Lay it on thick
Episode 240416 / 16 Apr 2024
The best book in the world? That's laying it on a bit thick.
Telling porkies
Episode 240409 / 09 Apr 2024
Learn the expression 'telling porkies'
In on it
Episode 240402 / 02 Apr 2024
Can we let you in on this phrase?
Walk someone through
Episode 240325 / 25 Mar 2024
Let us walk you through how to use this phrase.
Brick by brick
Episode 240318 / 18 Mar 2024
There are some things that you have to build up gradually. This phrase will help you talk about them.
Cook up an idea
Episode 240311 / 11 Mar 2024
A phrase that means to come up with an idea carefully.
Read the room
Episode 240304 / 04 Mar 2024
A phrase that means to work out how people feel.
Rinse repeat
Episode 240226 / 26 Feb 2024
It's the same every day! Rinse, repeat
A million to one
Episode 240219 / 19 Feb 2024
Don't take this literally
Cash in on something
Episode 240212 / 12 Feb 2024
Do you have anything you can cash in on?
Makes your hair stand on end
Episode 240205 / 05 Feb 2024
What makes your hair stand on end?
On the go
Episode 240129 / 29 Jan 2024
A phrase to describe how busy you are
A blow
Episode 240122 / 22 Jan 2024
It'll be a blow if you don’t watch this lesson
Rear its head
Episode 240115 / 15 Jan 2024
What things can rear their ugly heads?
Elbow grease
Episode 240108 / 08 Jan 2024
What do we use elbow grease for?
Bring to the party
Episode 240102 / 02 Jan 2024
A phrase about offering something positive
Light up like a Christmas tree
Episode 231226 / 26 Dec 2023
An expression to describe your happy face
I don't buy it
Episode 231219 / 18 Dec 2023
Learn an informal way of saying 'I don't believe you'
Touch grass
Episode 231211 / 11 Dec 2023
Do you know anyone who needs to touch grass?
I'm out
Episode 231204 / 04 Dec 2023
A phrase about not having anything left
Plan B
Episode 231127 / 27 Nov 2023
A phrase for when you need another option
Sound out
Episode 231120 / 20 Nov 2023
When do you think it's important to sound someone out?
Fly by night
Episode 231113 / 13 Nov 2023
What do you call a business that disappears overnight and leaves you with a lot of problems?
One-up
Episode 231106 / 06 Nov 2023
A phrase about showing off
Tread on someone's toes
Episode 231030 / 30 Oct 2023
An expression all about doing something you're not responsible for.
Mental gymnastics
Episode 231024 / 23 Oct 2023
How do we talk about complicated tasks done by your brain?
Call dibs
Episode 231017 / 16 Oct 2023
When did you last call dibs on something?
Run for the hills
Episode 231010 / 10 Oct 2023
A phrase about avoiding something
Hard at it
Episode 231003 / 02 Oct 2023
A phrase about working hard
Each to their own
Episode 230925 / 25 Sep 2023
Who do you know who does things differently?
Fill your boots
Episode 230919 / 18 Sep 2023
When did you last fill your boots?
Join the club
Episode 230911 / 11 Sep 2023
Expressing your bad situation
Go with the flow
Episode 230904 / 04 Sep 2023
The easy option!
Cakeism
Episode 230828 / 28 Aug 2023
Is there any cake in this phrase?
Drip feed
Episode 230821 / 21 Aug 2023
How to use ‘drip feed’
Scatterbrain
Episode 230814 / 14 Aug 2023
Are you a scatterbrain?
Be in with a shout
Episode 230807 / 07 Aug 2023
A phrase about possibility!
On point
Episode 230731 / 31 Jul 2023
A phrase about being perfect
Kiss something goodbye
Episode 230724 / 24 Jul 2023
A phrase about accepting loss.
Productivity theatre
Episode 230717 / 17 Jul 2023
A phrase about pretending to work
Pet hate
Episode 230710 / 10 Jul 2023
How to describe your annoyance
On the table
Episode 230703 / 03 Jul 2023
A phrase for business.
Jump through hoops
Episode 230627 / 26 Jun 2023
Not everything is easy to achieve.
Famous last words
Episode 230612 / 12 Jun 2023
A phrase about telling someone they'll be wrong.
Hard pass
Episode 230605 / 02 Jun 2023
A phrase about saying 'no'
Level up
Episode 230529 / 29 May 2023
A phrase about making things equal
Get with the programme
Episode 230522 / 22 May 2023
A changing phrase
Shout-out
Episode 230515 / 15 May 2023
A praising phrase
Fitspiration
Episode 230508 / 08 May 2023
Get fit with this new word
Hats off
Episode 230501 / 01 May 2023
A phrase about impressing people
Under your breath
Episode 230424 / 24 Apr 2023
Make sure you're heard with this expression.
Be at a loss
Episode 230417 / 17 Apr 2023
Don't be at a loss with this expression!
Go off on one
Episode 230410 / 10 Apr 2023
An phrase about getting angry
Wiggle room
Episode 230403 / 03 Apr 2023
A phrase for negotiating
(It's the) story of my life
Episode 230327 / 27 Jan 2023
A phrase about bad luck
No ifs or buts
Episode 230320 / 20 Mar 2023
A phrase to say that something has to be done
Caught red-handed
Episode 230313 / 23 Mar 2023
Have you ever been caught doing something bad?
Rabbit on
Episode 230306 / 06 Mar 2023
A phrase about talking too much
Thanks a bunch
Episode 230227 / 27 Feb 2023
Saying thanks but you don't mean it!
Slow walk
Episode 230220 / 13 Jan 2023
Learn a slow phrase
Take something to heart
Episode 230213 / 13 Jan 2023
A sensitive phrase
Know the score
Episode 230206 / 06 Feb 2023
A phrase about understanding the situation
Jog your memory
Episode 230130 / 30 Jan 2023
A phrase about remembering
A flying start
Episode 230123 / 23 Jan 2023
A phrase about an amazing start
Steal someone's thunder
Episode 230116 / 16 Jan 2023
Give this phrase some attention
Call it a day
Episode 230109 / 09 Jan 2023
A phrase about doing enough
Off the top of my head
Episode 230102 / 02 Jan 2023
A quick-thinking phrase
Change for the better
Episode 221226 / 26 Dec 2022
What changes do you want to make?
The gift that keeps on giving
Episode 221219 / 19 Dec 2022
Do you like receiving presents?
Quiet quitting
Episode 221212 / 12 Dec 2022
A phrase about just doing enough.
Hang in there
Episode 221205 / 05 Dec 2022
A phrase about encouragement
Bite your tongue
Episode 221128 / 28 Nov 2022
Don’t take this phrase literally!
Win hands down
Episode 221121 / 21 Nov 2022
An easy phrase for an easy win!
Twiddle your thumbs
Episode 221107 / 07 Nov 2022
A phrase for boring times
Fever pitch
Episode 221107 / 14 Nov 2022
Are you crazy with excitement about the World Cup?
Get your act together
Episode 221031 / 31 Oct 2022
A phrase about good organisation
Dog's dinner
Episode 221024 / 24 Oct 2022
You need to learn this messy phrase
Sitting pretty
Episode 221017 / 17 Oct 2022
A phrase to describe a good situation
Feast your eyes
Episode 221010 / 10 Oct 2022
A phrase worth looking at.
Put the brakes on
Episode 221003 / 03 Oct 2022
Stop! You need to learn this expression.
Second-guess
Episode 220926 / 16 Sep 2022
Can you guess what this phrase is about?
Ins and outs
Episode 220919 / 19 Sep 2022
Here's a phrase about learning more details about something
Yes and no
Episode 220912 / 12 Sep 2022
Not all answers in life are 'yes' or 'no'!
Eat your words
Episode 220905 / 05 Sep 2022
Learn a phrase about being wrong
Bug someone
Episode 220829 / 29 Aug 2022
Don’t get too irritated!
Willy-nilly
Episode 220822 / 22 Aug 2022
A random phrase
Gnarly
Episode 220815 / 15 Aug 2022
A word for something disgusting
Smash it
Episode 220808 / 08 Aug 2022
A phrase to give encouragement
a doddle
Episode 220801 / 01 Aug 2022
Is this phrase easy to learn?
It's now or never
Episode 220725 / 25 Jul 2022
A phrase about doing something immediately
Happy days
Episode 220718 / 18 Jul 2022
Here's a way to respond to good news
Double down
Episode 220711 / 30 May 2022
Learn a phrase about extra effort
Game face
Episode 220704 / 04 Jul 2022
A phrase about determination
Bitten by the bug
Episode 220627 / 27 Jun 2022
Is this a phrase to get excited by?
It escapes me
Episode 220620 / 20 Jun 2022
A phrase about forgetting something
Onboarding
Episode 220613 / 13 Jun 2022
New job, new word!
Thereby hangs a tale
Episode 220606 / 06 Jun 2022
A Shakespearean phrase for when there's more to something than you think
The royal treatment
Episode 220530 / 30 May 2022
Are you ready to feel like a king or a queen?
Tell me about it
Episode 220523 / 12 May 2022
Learn an agreeable phrase
Creatively bankrupt
Episode 220516 / 16 May 2022
Learn a phrase about being unoriginal
As if
Episode 220509 / 09 May 2022
Learn an unlikely phrase
Ish
Episode 220502 / 02 May 2022
Learn an imprecise phrase
Bad hair day
Episode 220425 / 25 Apr 2022
Is this an unattractive phrase?!
Promises, promises
Episode 220418 / 25 Mar 2022
Is a promise a promise?
Not see hide nor hair
Episode 220411 / 11 Apr 2022
Have you seen this phrase?
Curate's egg
Episode 220404 / 04 Apr 2022
Learn a phrase that is good and bad at the same time.
That'll be the day
Episode 220328 / 28 Mar 2022
When will be ‘that day’?
Gathering dust
Episode 220321 / 21 Mar 2022
What’s gathering dust in your house?
Easier said than done
Episode 220314 / 24 Feb 2022
This phrase shouldn’t be complicated!
The plot thickens
Episode 220307 / 07 Mar 2022
A mysterious phrase!
All at sea
Episode 220228 / 28 Feb 2022
Don’t let this phrase confuse you
Don't mind me
Episode 220221 / 21 Feb 2022
Don’t ignore this phrase
Cramp my style
Episode 220214 / 14 Feb 2022
Who’s cramping your style?
You couldn't make it up
Episode 220207 / 07 Feb 2022
You couldn’t make up this phrase!
Cool cat
Episode 220131 / 31 Jan 2022
Do you know someone who is hip and trendy?
There's nothing to it
Episode 220124 / 24 Jan 2022
Learn a simple phrase
As sick as a parrot
Episode 220117 / 17 Jan 2022
A phrase about disappointment
Eke out
Episode 220110 / 10 Jan 2022
Don’t waste this phrase!
Say no more
Episode 220103 / 03 Jan 2022
Do you get me?
Scrub up well
Episode 211227 / 27 Dec 2021
Learn a smart phrase
You shouldn't have
Episode 211220 / 20 Dec 2021
Learn the gift of English!
Not looking too clever
Episode 211213 / 13 Dec 2021
Learn a clever phrase!
Not like the sound of something
Episode 211206 / 22 Oct 2021
Learn a phrase about not liking something
I'll give you that
Episode 211129 / 24 Oct 2021
Do you agree?
Another string to your bow
Episode 211122 / 22 Nov 2021
A skilled phrase!
Clap back
Episode 211115 / 15 Nov 2021
Do you clap back?
Talk through your hat
Episode 211108 / 08 Nov 2021
A phrase about talking nonsense
quote ... unquote
Episode 211101 / 01 Nov 2021
Try repeating this phrase
Not a patch on something
Episode 211025 / 25 Oct 2021
An expression for when something is far worse than something else
No cap
Episode 211018 / 18 Oct 2021
Do you know someone who always tells the truth?
Moreish
Episode 211011 / 11 Oct 2021
An expression you can use to talk about tasty food
A legend in one's lifetime
Episode 211004 / 04 Oct 2021
Do you know a famous living person? Here’s a phrase to describe them.
Live rent-free in one's head
Episode 210927 / 27 Sep 2021
What or who do you think about all the time?
Now you're talking
Episode 210920 / 10 Sep 2021
Learn a phrase to get you talking
Hits different
Episode 210913 / 13 Sep 2021
What hits different for you?
Extra
Episode 210906 / 06 Sep 2021
Who do you think is extra?
Zhuzh
Episode 210830 / 30 Aug 2021
Can you pronounce this word?
Lo and behold
Episode 210823 / 23 Aug 2021
What is surprising for you?
Bigwig
Episode 210816 / 16 Aug 2021
A phrase with power
Cringe
Episode 210809 / 09 Aug 2021
An expression about something that makes you feel uncomfortable
it’s the … for me
Episode 210802 / 02 Aug 2021
Learn an expression about why you love or hate something.
Obvs
Episode 210726 / 14 Jul 2021
An obvious phrase
Down / up for something
Episode 210719 / 14 Jul 2021
How to express wanting to do something
Savage
Episode 210712 / 12 Jul 2021
Possibly a cruel word
Lit
Episode 210705 / 05 Jul 2021
What thing do you think is awesome? Is it lit?
Yikes!
Episode 210628 / 28 Jun 2021
A shocking new word!
YOLO
Episode 210621 / 21 Jun 2021
Do you take risks?
Vibe
Episode 210614 / 21 Jun 2021
Have you got a good vibe?
Noob
Episode 210607 / 07 Jun 2021
Are you a newbie?
Adulting
Episode 210531 / 31 May 2021
A grown-up phrase
Slay
Episode 210524 / 24 May 2021
What do you think slays?
Push back
Episode 210517 / 17 May 2021
A phrase to use later
The CEO of
Episode 210510 / 10 May 2021
What are you brilliant at?
Zip it!
Episode 210503 / 03 May 2021
Stop talking!
Botch job
Episode 210426 / 26 Apr 2021
What do we call a job done badly?
It slaps!
Episode 210419 / 19 Apr 2021
What do you think slaps?
Have a lot of plates spinning
Episode 210412 / 12 Apr 2021
A phrase about having a lot of things to do
Pizzazz
Episode 210405 / 05 Apr 2021
Do a lot of people remark on how glamorous you are?
Oomph
Episode 210329 / 29 Mar 2021
Do you have a sparkle when you speak?
Snap up
Episode 210322 / 22 Mar 2021
A quick expression!
Nothingburger
Episode 210315 / 15 Mar 2021
Describing something insignificant
Awesomesauce
Episode 210308 / 08 Mar 2021
An amazing phrase!
Clout
Episode 210301 / 01 Mar 2021
Do you have some clout?
GOAT
Episode 210222 / 22 Feb 2021
Who do you think is the GOAT?
Workation
Episode 210215 / 15 Feb 2021
A phrase to describe an experimental project.
Moonshot
Episode 210208 / 08 Feb 2021
A word to describe an experimental project
Slap-bang
Episode 210201 / 01 Feb 2021
A phrase to describe an exact position
Sadfishing
Episode 210125 / 25 Jan 2021
A phrase that needs your attention!
Mic drop
Episode 210118 / 18 Jan 2021
Have you performed a mic drop?
Tone deaf
Episode 210111 / 11 Jan 2021
Learn when 'tone deaf' has nothing to do with music...
A game
Episode 210104 / 04 Jan 2021
Have you brought your A game?
Frontliner
Episode 201228 / 28 Dec 2020
Do you know any frontliners?
You do you
Episode 201221 / 21 Dec 2020
Doing it your way!
On fleek
Episode 201214 / 14 Dec 2020
Learn a good-looking phrase!
Contact tracing
Episode 201207 / 07 Dec 2020
Have you downloaded a contact tracing app?
Key worker
Episode 201130 / 30 Nov 2020
Do you know any key workers?
Sharenting
Episode 201123 / 23 Nov 2020
Don't share too many photos of your children!
Plastic footprint
Episode 201116 / 16 Nov 2020
Here's how to describe the amount of plastic you use
Spoiler alert!
Episode 201109 / 09 Nov 2020
Don't spoil the ending!
Listicle
Episode 201102 / 27 Oct 2020
Is it an article? Is it a list? No, it's a listicle!
Doomscrolling
Episode 201026 / 26 Oct 2020
Scrolling for bad news!
Crowdsourcing
Episode 201019 / 14 Oct 2020
Getting big ideas
One step at a time
Episode 201012 / 07 Oct 2020
Learn a 'progressive' phrase
Bog-standard
Episode 201005 / 18 Sep 2020
Learn a ‘basic’ phrase
A wake-up call
Episode 200928 / 28 Sep 2020
A warning sign!
Climate emergency
Episode 200921 / 21 Sep 2020
What is the 'climate emergency'?
Thirsty
Episode 200914 / 14 Sep 2020
A new word for social media show-offs!
Vanilla
Episode 200907 / 19 Aug 2020
A boring word!
Roast
Episode 200831 / 31 Aug 2020
How can a person be roasted?
Sticking point
Episode 200824 / 24 Aug 2020
What is the sticking point?
Flatten the curve
Episode 200817 / 17 Aug 2020
What did you do to flatten the curve?
Living in a bubble
Episode 200810 / 10 Aug 2020
Get out and see the world – stop living in a bubble!
Cancelled
Episode 200803 / 03 Aug 2020
Learn a new meaning for the word ‘cancel’
New normal
Episode 200727 / 27 Jul 2020
Do you find that daily life is a bit different now?
A slippery slope
Episode 200720 / 20 Jul 2020
Learn a slippery phrase
Throw shade
Episode 200713 / 13 Jul 2020
Throwing shade isn’t cool
Bite the bullet
Episode 200706 / 06 Jul 2020
An English expression with bite!
Blended working
Episode 200629 / 29 Jun 2020
A mix of home and office working has led to a new English expression.
JOMO
Episode 200622 / 22 Jun 2020
What is your JOMO?
It happens to the best of us
Episode 200619 / 19 Jun 2023
A phrase about making people feel better.
Furlough
Episode 200615 / 15 Jun 2020
A temporary working absence.
Spill the tea
Episode 200608 / 08 Jun 2020
Who do you know who spills the tea?
Flexing
Episode 200601 / 01 Jun 2020
Who do you know who flexes?
Salty
Episode 200525 / 25 May 2020
What makes you get salty?
Skeleton crew
Episode 200518 / 19 Apr 2020
An expression for when there aren't many people working.
Lowkey
Episode 200511 / 11 May 2020
What do you lowkey love?
Live for something
Episode 200504 / 04 May 2020
What’s are you living for?
Cabin fever
Episode 200427 / 27 Apr 2020
What is cabin fever?
Bang on about something
Episode 200420 / 20 Apr 2020
What are you banging on about?
Fire
Episode 200413 / 13 Apr 2020
This phrase is fire!
Running on fumes
Episode 200406 / 06 Apr 2020
So tired!
Left on read
Episode 200330 / 30 Mar 2020
Received, but not replied!
Sheeple
Episode 200323 / 23 Mar 2020
A phrase to follow!
Hater
Episode 200316 / 16 Mar 2020
Don’t hate this phrase!
Talk shop
Episode 200309 / 09 Mar 2020
Something to talk about!
Snackable
Episode 200302 / 02 Mar 2020
Something to snack on
A memory like a sieve
Episode 200224 / 24 Feb 2020
An English phrase to remember
Nomophobia
Episode 200217 / 17 Feb 2020
No phone – no-mophobia!
Peacocking
Episode 200210 / 10 Feb 2020
A phrase to show off with
To kick (something) into the long grass
Episode 200203 / 03 Feb 2020
Give your English a kick!
Rat race
Episode 200127 / 27 Jan 2020
Join the rat race for the 'Year of the Rat'
Microworker
Episode 200120 / 20 Jan 2020
If you do small tasks for tech firms then this new word describes your job!
Serial returner
Episode 200113 / 13 Jan 2020
Feifei's had a new coat every day this month. How?!
Talk the talk
Episode 200106 / 06 Jan 2020
Neil can talk the talk, but does he know what he's talking about?
Out with the old, in with the new
Episode 191230 / 30 Dec 2019
A phrase to describe what you can do at this time of year!
The more the merrier
Episode 191223 / 23 Dec 2019
Learn a merry phrase with friends!
Take one for the team
Episode 191216 / 16 Dec 2019
Three tickets, four people. What to do?
Mind your Ps and Qs
Episode 191209 / 09 Dec 2019
Don’t forget these letters at an important meeting
Dad dancing
Episode 191202 / 24 Oct 2019
Swing those arms, shake those hips!
Big data
Episode 191125 / 25 Nov 2019
Data is everywhere… But what to do with it?
Punch above your weight
Episode 191118 / 02 Oct 2019
It sounds violent, but this phrase might surprise you!
Social media influencer
Episode 191111 / 11 Nov 2019
What exactly is a social media influencer?
Goldilocks
Episode 191104 / 04 Nov 2019
Too hot? Too cold? Or just right?
Ghosting
Episode 191028 / 28 Oct 2019
Is someone ignoring all your calls and messages? 👻
Slow TV
Episode 191021 / 21 Oct 2019
Because life doesn’t need to be fast, fast, fast
Tiger mother
Episode 191014 / 14 Oct 2019
What’s the best way to help your kids succeed in life?
Buzzkill
Episode 191007 / 28 Aug 2019
One minute you were feeling happy, then…
Buyer's remorse
Episode 190930 / 22 Aug 2019
Have you ever regretted an expensive purchase?
Freecycle
Episode 190923 / 23 Sep 2019
When you don't want to sell, freecycle!
Carbon footprint
Episode 190916 / 16 Sep 2019
Love to travel, but worried about the environment?
Cough up
Episode 190909 / 09 Sep 2019
When is a cough not a cough?
Brain fade
Episode 190902 / 02 Sep 2019
Where did I leave my keys?
Fib
Episode 190826 / 26 Aug 2019
A little word for a little lie
Hot under the collar
Episode 190819 / 03 Jul 2019
Cool off and learn this phrase with us
Eat your heart out
Episode 190812 / 12 Aug 2019
Could this be the scariest phrase we’ve ever taught?
Across
Episode 190805 / 05 Aug 2019
When is ‘across’ not ‘across’?
Fat chance
Episode 190729 / 29 Jul 2019
An expression about likelihood
Milk it
Episode 190722 / 22 Jul 2019
Are you looking for sympathy?
Cherry-pick
Episode 190715 / 15 Jul 2019
Picking the best!
To fight tooth and nail
Episode 190708 / 08 Jul 2019
A phrase about determination
It's a small world
Episode 190701 / 01 Jul 2019
An expression about coincidences
To vanish into thin air
Episode 190624 / 24 Jun 2019
A disappearing phrase
Get the short straw
Episode 190617 / 17 Jun 2019
A phrase that sucks!
Soft skills
Episode 190610 / 10 Jun 2019
This phrase isn’t hard!
Big deal
Episode 190603 / 03 Jun 2019
An unimpressive phrase!
Clever clogs
Episode 190527 / 27 May 2019
Intelligent footwear!
Couch surfing
Episode 190520 / 20 May 2019
A phrase for moving around
Like riding a bike
Episode 190513 / 13 May 2019
An 'easy' phrase
On fire
Episode 190506 / 06 May 2019
Why is Neil 'on fire?'
Out of order
Episode 190429 / 29 Apr 2019
What actions are considered out of order in your country?
Dead
Episode 190422 / 22 Apr 2019
Learn a new way to say ‘very’ in this week’s The English We Speak!
Give someone the runaround
Episode 190415 / 15 Apr 2019
A phrase to describe being unhelpful
Laughing all the way to the bank
Episode 190408 / 08 Apr 2019
Learn a funny phrase!
The joke is on you
Episode 190401 / 01 Apr 2019
It's no joke!
Keep a lid on it
Episode 190325 / 25 Mar 2019
Keep this phrase a secret!
To pull the wool over someone's eyes
Episode 190318 / 18 Mar 2019
A deceiving phrase
To take the rough with the smooth
Episode 190311 / 11 Mar 2019
A good and bad phrase
Hard-nosed
Episode 190304 / 04 Mar 2019
A tough phrase
To have a soft spot
Episode 190225 / 25 Feb 2019
A phrase you'll really like
To make a song and dance (about something)
Episode 190218 / 18 Feb 2019
A phrase to sing about
Giant killer
Episode 190211 / 11 Feb 2019
A phrase about big vs small
A shock to the system
Episode 190204 / 04 Feb 2019
Prepare to be shocked!
From pillar to post
Episode 190128 / 28 Jan 2019
A moving phrase!
Small talk
Episode 190121 / 21 Jan 2019
Informal chat
A bright spark
Episode 190114 / 14 Jan 2019
Is this a clever phrase?
To be all downhill
Episode 190107 / 07 Jan 2019
An easier phrase
Fireworks
Episode 181231 / 31 Dec 2018
A phrase to shout about
To have all your Christmases come at once
Episode 181224 / 24 Dec 2018
Get that festive feeling again and again
It's the thought that counts
Episode 181217 / 17 Dec 2018
A phrase for bad presents
Digital detox: What's the meaning?
Episode 181210 / 10 Dec 2018
A detox of a different kind
'It leaves a bad taste in your mouth': What does it mean?
Episode 181203 / 03 Dec 2018
Great food but a bad taste
Pea-souper
Episode 181126 / 26 Nov 2018
Is it a meal or a type of weather?
Throw in the towel
Episode 181119 / 19 Nov 2018
Time to give up
A walk in the park
Episode 181112 / 12 Nov 2018
An easy expression
Dumbphone
Episode 181105 / 05 Nov 2018
A less intelligent phone
No fear
Episode 181029 / 29 Oct 2018
Who's scared?
Something to chew on
Episode 181022 / 22 Oct 2018
An indecisive phrase
Waffle on
Episode 181015 / 15 Oct 2018
Believe it or not, not all waffles are good!
skew-whiff
Episode 181008 / 08 Sep 2018
When things aren't quite straight
To play a blinder
Episode 181001 / 01 Oct 2018
Doing something amazing
Miffed
Episode 180924 / 24 Sep 2018
Has someone annoyed you?
Humblebrag
Episode 180917 / 17 Sep 2018
What’s worse than bragging?
Out of your depth
Episode 180910 / 10 Sep 2018
A deep phrase
Mardy
Episode 180903 / 03 Sep 2018
A moody expression
Curry favour
Episode 180827 / 27 Aug 2018
A spicy expression
Take the biscuit
Episode 180820 / 20 Aug 2018
A sweet phrase
Step on it
Episode 180813 / 13 Aug 2018
Hurry up!
Ping
Episode 180806 / 06 Aug 2018
Press 'send'
Crunch time
Episode 180730 / 30 Jul 2018
No biscuits required
Have a pop
Episode 180723 / 23 Jul 2018
A trying expression!
A necessary evil
Episode 180716 / 16 Jul 2018
Unavoidable situations
If the cap fits
Episode 180709 / 09 Jul 2018
A truthful phrase
My bad
Episode 180702 / 02 Jul 2018
It was me!
To have a good nose (for something)
Episode 180625 / 25 Jun 2018
No smelling needed!
Friends in high places
Episode 180618 / 18 Jun 2018
A phrase about knowing important people
Catch-22
Episode 180611 / 11 Jun 2018
A no-win situation
Let the dust settle
Episode 180604 / 04 Jun 2018
Dust off an old English phrase
Nothing to shout about
Episode 180528 / 28 May 2018
A quiet phrase
Let sleeping dogs lie
Episode 180521 / 21 May 2018
A trouble-free phrase
Bleed someone dry
Episode 180514 / 14 May 2018
Blood money
Small change
Episode 180507 / 07 May 2018
A trivial phrase
That'll teach you!
Episode 180430 / 30 Apr 2018
Serves you right!
An old hand
Episode 180423 / 23 Apr 2018
Some who's skilled and experienced
Out of the loop
Episode 180416 / 16 Apr 2018
Are you missing out?
Rub it in
Episode 180409 / 09 Apr 2018
Reminding someone about something they'd rather forget
Smombie
Episode 180402 / 02 Apr 2018
Are you a smartphone zombie?
Freegan
Episode 180326 / 26 Mar 2018
Free food!
Barking up the wrong tree
Episode 180319 / 08 Mar 2018
Don't blame me!
Cloud cuckoo land
Episode 180312 / 12 Mar 2018
A ridiculous phrase!
A taste of your own medicine
Episode 180305 / 05 Mar 2018
Payback time!
Happy-go-lucky
Episode 180226 / 26 Feb 2018
A worry-free phrase
Whizz-kid
Episode 180219 / 19 Feb 2018
Young and clever
The best of both worlds
Episode 180212 / 12 Feb 2018
Two good things
Bone idle
Episode 180205 / 05 Feb 2018
A lazy phrase
To cut a long story short
Episode 180129 / 29 Jan 2018
Just give me the details
Just the ticket
Episode 180122 / 22 Jan 2018
Just what I wanted!
FOMO
Episode 180115 / 15 Jan 2018
A phrase about jealousy
Do a runner
Episode 180108 / 08 Jan 2018
Time to get out of here!
A thing
Episode 180101 / 01 Jan 2018
Time to lose that beard…
All that jazz
Episode 171225 / 25 Dec 2017
When jazz isn't jazz…
Not gonna lie
Episode 171218 / 18 Dec 2017
Not gonna lie: this is a great programme!
Up your game
Episode 171211 / 11 Dec 2017
Up your emoji game
To shout it from the rooftops
Episode 171204 / 04 Dec 2017
Shout it out
To blow the cobwebs away
Episode 171127 / 27 Nov 2017
An energetic phrase
A knees-up
Episode 171120 / 20 Nov 2017
Party time!
To put someone on the map
Episode 171113 / 13 Nov 2017
Fame at last!
Down in the dumps
Episode 171106 / 06 Nov 2017
Is this a rubbish phrase?
Excuse me!
Episode 171030 / 30 Oct 2017
A polite phrase – most of the time
A sting in the tail
Episode 171023 / 23 Oct 2017
Learn a phrase with a painful ending
So done with
Episode 171016 / 16 Oct 2017
Feeling bored of your work?
Lolz
Episode 171009 / 09 Oct 2017
Fancy a laugh?
Have a go
Episode 171002 / 02 Oct 2017
Why is Neil being criticised?
About
Episode 170925 / 25 Sep 2017
Familiar word, new meaning!
Wing it
Episode 170918 / 18 Sep 2017
Learn an informal expression for when you have to improvise
Pot luck
Episode 170911 / 11 Sep 2017
Take a chance!
It beats me
Episode 170904 / 04 Sep 2017
What's going on?!
Jiggery-pokery
Episode 170829 / 29 Aug 2017
Don't be tricked by this phrase!
Left, right, and centre
Episode 170822 / 22 Aug 2017
Doing something everywhere
Donkey's years
Episode 170815 / 15 Aug 2017
Years and ears!
Give us a bell
Episode 170808 / 08 Aug 2017
Someone's ringing!
Echo chamber
Episode 170801 / 01 Aug 2017
Echo echo echo echo…
Snowflake
Episode 170725 / 25 Jul 2017
Do you melt too easily?
The heat is on
Episode 170718 / 18 Jul 2017
Too much pressure!
Wet weekend
Episode 170711 / 11 Jul 2017
It's wet and there's no rain!
No picnic
Episode 170704 / 04 Jul 2017
Learn a phrase that involves effort
A busman's holiday
Episode 170627 / 27 Jun 2017
Learn a phrase about a working holiday
Fuddy-duddy
Episode 170620 / 20 Jun 2017
Not cool!
No great shakes
Episode 170613 / 13 Jun 2017
Not impressed!
Not a sausage
Episode 170606 / 06 Jun 2017
Learn a phrase that means ‘nothing’
Long
Episode 170530 / 30 May 2017
Love ironing? Or is it ‘long’?
Not half
Episode 170523 / 23 May 2017
Learn a phrase which isn’t half useful
All over the shop
Episode 170516 / 16 May 2017
The phrase about shops that isn’t about shops
It comes with the territory
Episode 170509 / 09 May 2017
Accept the situation!
It won't wash
Episode 170502 / 02 May 2017
A dirty phrase
Jack-of-all-trades
Episode 170425 / 25 Apr 2017
A multi-skilled phrase!
The coast is clear
Episode 170418 / 18 Apr 2017
Nobody's watching!
Pull a fast one
Episode 170411 / 11 Apr 2017
Don’t be cheated – learn this phrase!
Suck it and see
Episode 170404 / 04 Apr 2017
You won’t know until you try
To cut your teeth
Episode 170328 / 28 Mar 2017
Gaining new experience
Shrinkflation
Episode 170321 / 21 Mar 2017
Getting less for your money
La-la land
Episode 170314 / 14 Mar 2017
It's not Los Angeles!
A different kettle of fish
Episode 170307 / 07 Mar 2017
Fishing for a phrase? This could be the one for you
At the drop of a hat
Episode 170228 / 28 Feb 2017
Acting on impulse!
Brass neck
Episode 170221 / 21 Feb 2017
An expression about saying what you think
Reinvent the wheel
Episode 170214 / 14 Feb 2017
Doing it all over again
Frenemy
Episode 170207 / 07 Feb 2017
False friends
To be fair
Episode 170131 / 31 Jan 2017
Give both sides of the argument with this phrase
On the box
Episode 170124 / 24 Jan 2017
Watching a ‘box’ can’t be very enjoyable, can it?
Duck
Episode 170117 / 17 Jan 2017
When being called ‘duck’ is a good thing
Bottle
Episode 170110 / 10 Jan 2017
Don’t lose your bottle!
Got your number
Episode 170103 / 03 Jan 2017
Understanding someone's true intentions
A slap in the face
Episode 161227 / 27 Dec 2016
Words not actions
Clickbait
Episode 161220 / 20 Dec 2016
Click here for nonsense. Learn some cyber vocabulary
Mash-up
Episode 161213 / 13 Dec 2016
If you mix A and B, do you get C?
Air kiss
Episode 161206 / 06 Dec 2016
When is a kiss not a kiss?
Mansplaining
Episode 161129 / 29 Nov 2016
Has a man ever over-explained something to you?
Rolling in it
Episode 161122 / 22 Nov 2016
How much money do you need to roll around in it?
Photobomb
Episode 161115 / 15 Nov 2016
Someone's in my photo!
Cyberchondriac
Episode 161108 / 08 Nov 2016
Is the internet making you ill?
To wash your dirty linen in public
Episode 161101 / 01 Nov 2016
An expression about not keeping matters private
Cat got your tongue?
Episode 161025 / 25 Oct 2016
A phrase about not saying much
It takes two to tango
Episode 161018 / 18 Oct 2016
How many people dance the tango?
Knee-jerk reaction
Episode 161011 / 11 Oct 2016
An expression connected to the knee
To have an axe to grind
Episode 161004 / 04 Oct 2016
An expression for when someone's got a strong opinion
Close, but no cigar
Episode 160927 / 27 Sep 2016
A phrase about almost succeeding
Get somebody's goat
Episode 160920 / 16 Sep 2016
A phrase about something annoying
Bust a gut
Episode 160913 / 13 Sep 2016
An expression that means 'to make a great effort'
Old-school
Episode 160906 / 06 Sep 2016
A phrase that describes old things
Shedloads
Episode 160830 / 30 Aug 2016
A way to say 'lots'
Hangry
Episode 160823 / 23 Aug 2016
A phrase for people who get angry when they don't eat
To pull something out of the hat
Episode 160816 / 16 Aug 2016
What surprising things come out of a hat?
In the blink of an eye
Episode 160809 / 09 Aug 2016
An expression to show speed
Off the hook
Episode 160802 / 02 Aug 2016
Here's a phrase for when you free someone from an obligation
Barefaced
Episode 160726 / 26 Jul 2016
A phrase about being bold and shameless
To make a mountain out of a molehill
Episode 160719 / 19 Jul 2016
Don't overreact - use this phrase!
The last/final straw
Episode 160712 / 12 Jul 2016
Something tiny could cause a lot of problems
The university of life
Episode 160705 / 05 Jul 2016
Where's the best place to learn about life?
White-collar worker / blue-collar worker
Episode 160628 / 28 Jun 2016
What does the colour of your clothes say about your job?
Drama queen
Episode 160621 / 21 Jun 2016
Here's a phrase to describe someone who overreacts easily
It's on the cards
Episode 160614 / 14 Jun 2016
Learn a different way of saying that something is likely to happen
Until you're blue in the face
Episode 160607 / 07 Jun 2016
Can you face this phrase?