Learning English

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Introduction

How do you tell someone that the bad situation they are experiencing is the same as yours? We can tell you in this programme when Neil and Feifei explain the meaning of the phrase ‘join the club’ and give you some examples as well.

Transcript

Feifei
This is The English We Speak with me, Feifei…

Neil
…and I’m Neil. We have a phrase that can be said to someone to explain that you are in the same bad situation as they are. It’s 'join the club'.

Feifei
'Join the club'? So, you’re asking someone to join a club – that’s an organisation for people with similar interests.

Neil
No. We’re not literally asking them to join a club. The only similarity is that the person you are talking to shares the same situation. So, for example, if you told me you had too much work and I also had too much work to do, I would reply by saying 'join the club'.

Feifei
So, you’re not showing any sympathy. You’re saying it’s just as bad for me?

Neil
I am Feifei. If I said I can’t go out tonight because I haven’t got much money, would you be sympathetic?

Feifei
No! Join the club. I’m broke too!

Neil
Oh dear. Let’s have some examples…

Examples
A: I’ve been on my feet all day, I’m exhausted!
B: Join the club!

A: Have you seen the rota! I’m doing all the boring the tasks to do today.
B: Join the club!

A: I’ve got a new baby, so I didn’t get much sleep last night.
B: Join the club! Mine was awake until 5am.

Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. We’re learning about the phrase 'join the club' which you can respond to someone to explain that you are in the same situation as they are.

Neil
Remember, it’s not really about joining a club and we use the phrase to talk about bad situations. We wouldn’t say it to explain you’re in a similar favourable situation.

Feifei
Got it! And Neil, I really must get on now, I really do have too much work to do.

Neil
Oh Feifei, join the club. I’ve got to finish this script now!

Feifei
That’s easy. Just said ‘goodbye’.

Neil
OK then. Bye!

Feifei
Bye, Neil.

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