Learning English

Inspiring language learning since 1943

(Image: Getty)

Introduction

An expression to change someone's perspective. Learn it here.

Transcript

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I'm Feifei, and I'm here with Beth.

Beth
Hi everyone, and hi Feifei. How are you today?

Feifei
I'm OK, but the weather is miserable! Non-stop rain.

Beth
I know. I hate it too. But, on the flip side, we’re inside so we can’t actually get wet, and at least it’s warm!

Feifei
It is. And ‘the flip side’ is the expression we're learning in this programme. The flip side means the opposite or another side of something, like showing both pros and cons.

Beth
Yes. The flip side is a way of introducing the opposite perspective of something. So, you said it’s raining, but I turned it around and said we're inside, so at least we’re warm. Think of it like turning something over to reveal the other side, like a coin.

Feifei
So, I could say I spent the whole Sunday cooking this one dish, and the kitchen was a mess, and I was exhausted.

Beth
Oh dear. But on the flip side, at least you tried a new recipe, and you've got some good food.

Feifei
Yeah, I suppose.

Beth
Yeah. And I could say that I've been working from home a lot recently, and I don't really like it. I prefer being in the office.

Feifei
And I could say on the flip side, Beth, you don't have to travel on crowded trains.

Beth
That is very true. Yes. Well, here are some more examples of the expression 'the flip side'.

Examples
I went for my first long run the other day, and it was so nice to get out in the fresh air. But on the flip side, I ended up with really achy muscles.

Oh, I really don't like this time of year. It gets dark so early, and it's so cold. But on the flip side, I'm catching up on loads of TV series I'd missed out on.

I went to a new beach the other day. It was absolutely beautiful. But on the flip side, it was also really crowded.

Beth
In conversation, 'the flip side' is very often used to try and cheer someone up, especially if they are complaining. So, Feifei, if I said to you 'oh, I’ve got so much work to do today'…

Feifei
Then I could say 'Yes, but on the flip side, we’re going out for drinks later'.

Beth
That's very true. So, to recap, we’ve learnt ‘the flip side’ which means introducing a contrast to change someone’s perspective on something.

Feifei
And that's all from us. We'll be back next time with another useful English phrase. See you then!

Beth
Bye!

تازه ترین The English We Speak

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