Learning English

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Introduction

Do you ever make an amazing start on something? It could be a race, a project, or a presentation! We can tell you an English phrase to help you explain that.

Transcript

Jiaying
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me Jiaying...

Neil
… and me, Neil.

Jiaying
Have you started working on your act for this year's BBC Learning English's talent show?

Neil
No, I've been too busy writing a presentation for you, and doing your shopping. Why are you asking me to do everything for you?

Jiaying
Because you're so good at it! Plus, I need time to perfect my act for the talent show. I have made a flying start!

Neil
What? For your act you're starting to learn how to fly?

Jiaying
No, Neil. I didn't say I was starting to fly, I said a flying start. I'm actually learning how to juggle umbrellas. We use the expression a flying start to mean 'an excellent beginning'. We often use it to talk about competitions or races in which someone makes a strong or quick start.

Neil
Oh, OK. Well done on making a flying start on your umbrella juggling act! I can't wait to see it!

Jiaying
I've already juggled seven umbrellas! I'll show you my skills while we listen to these examples.

Examples
Your son has made a flying start in the class. He's a brilliant student.

The athlete got off to a flying start. She set a record in the swimming event.

A flying start on a diet and losing a few kilos early on can really boost someone's confidence.

Jiaying
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. We're talking about the expression a flying start which means a strong or good beginning. We often use it with the words 'have', 'make' or 'get off to'.

Neil
I can't believe you juggled all seven umbrellas. How long did it take you to learn?

Jiaying
About an hour. Like I said, I got off to a flying start.

Neil
You really did. That was amazing. I need a flying start for my act. I'm learning to say the alphabet backwards!

Jiaying
Well, good luck with that boring act.

Neil
Thanks.

Jiaying
Right! I need to go and train harder. I want to win this! Bye!

Neil
Bye.

تازه ترین The English We Speak

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Cakeism
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Drip feed
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Be in with a shout
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Shout-out
Episode 230515 / 15 May 2023
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Fitspiration
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Episode 230501 / 01 May 2023
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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
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Slow walk
Episode 230220 / 13 Jan 2023
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Take something to heart
Episode 230213 / 13 Jan 2023
A sensitive phrase
Know the score
Episode 230206 / 06 Feb 2023
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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
It happens to the best of us
Episode 200619 / 19 Jun 2023
A phrase about making people feel better.