Learning English

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Introduction

Some things are easy to do – like mending the puncture on Rob’s bike. Find out about an expression that describes doing simple things like this, most of the time!

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me, Feifei

Rob
And me, Rob. Feifei, I wonder if you can help me?

Feifei
Of course. What is it?

Rob
Well, when I was cycling to the office, I got a puncture, and I need help fixing it.

Feifei
Sure, I can help you with that – it’s a doddle.

Rob
Right, so you think it’s easy?

Feifei
Yes – that’s what a doddle means. If we say something is a doddle, it means it’s easy to do. It’s an informal expression.

Rob
If you say so! Now, can we hear some examples first?

Feifei
Yes. That’s a doddle too….

Examples
According to the instructions, building this bookshelf should be a doddle.

Getting to the museum is a doddle; you only need to take one train straight there.

The test was a doddle, and I got full marks.

Feifei
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re hearing about the expression a doddle. We can say this to mean it’s an easy task to do. Just like mending your bike puncture. In fact, it’s such a doddle, maybe I can show you how to fix it, Rob?

Rob
Well, err, I did try and I managed to break the wheel.

Feifei
Oh no, Rob. Maybe fixing your puncture won’t be such a doddle after all.

Rob
Maybe not. Perhaps it’s time to start walking.

Feifei
Good idea. Walking to work will definitely be a doddle!

Rob
I hope so. Bye.

Feifei
Bye.

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