How Do You Know What Time You Were Born

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

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

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?

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

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!

Bog-standard

Episode 201005 / 18 Sep 2020

Learn a 'basic' phrase

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?

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?

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?

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?

Cabin fever

Episode 200427 / 27 Apr 2020

What is cabin fever?

Fire

Episode 200413 / 13 Apr 2020

This phrase is fire!

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

Nomophobia

Episode 200217 / 17 Feb 2020

No phone – no-mophobia!

Peacocking

Episode 200210 / 10 Feb 2020

A phrase to show off with

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?

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?

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

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!

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

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!

Hard-nosed

Episode 190304 / 04 Mar 2019

A tough phrase

To make a song and dance (about something)

Giant killer

Episode 190211 / 11 Feb 2019

A phrase about big vs small

Small talk

Episode 190121 / 21 Jan 2019

Informal chat

Fireworks

Episode 181231 / 31 Dec 2018

A phrase to shout about

To have all your Christmases come at once

'It leaves a bad taste in your mouth': What does it mean?

Pea-souper

Episode 181126 / 26 Nov 2018

Is it a meal or a type of weather?

Dumbphone

Episode 181105 / 05 Nov 2018

A less intelligent phone

No fear

Episode 181029 / 29 Oct 2018

Who's scared?

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

Miffed

Episode 180924 / 24 Sep 2018

Has someone annoyed you?

Humblebrag

Episode 180917 / 17 Sep 2018

What's worse than bragging?

Mardy

Episode 180903 / 03 Sep 2018

A moody expression

Curry favour

Episode 180827 / 27 Aug 2018

A spicy expression

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!

My bad

Episode 180702 / 02 Jul 2018

It was me!

Catch-22

Episode 180611 / 11 Jun 2018

A no-win situation

An old hand

Episode 180423 / 23 Apr 2018

Some who's skilled and experienced

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!

Whizz-kid

Episode 180219 / 19 Feb 2018

Young and clever

Bone idle

Episode 180205 / 05 Feb 2018

A lazy phrase

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…

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

A knees-up

Episode 171120 / 20 Nov 2017

Party time!

Excuse me!

Episode 171030 / 30 Oct 2017

A polite phrase – most of the time

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!

Echo chamber

Episode 170801 / 01 Aug 2017

Echo echo echo echo…

Snowflake

Episode 170725 / 25 Jul 2017

Do you melt too easily?

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

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

Pull a fast one

Episode 170411 / 11 Apr 2017

Don't be cheated – learn this phrase!

Shrinkflation

Episode 170321 / 21 Mar 2017

Getting less for your money

La-la land

Episode 170314 / 14 Mar 2017

It's not Los Angeles!

Brass neck

Episode 170221 / 21 Feb 2017

An expression about saying what you think

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

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?

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

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

White-collar worker / blue-collar worker

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

Clean up your act

Episode 160531 / 31 May 2016

Someone behaving badly? Here's a phrase that tells them what to do

You're pulling my leg!

Episode 160524 / 24 May 2016

Want to trick someone? Here is a phrase that involves pulling a part of your body!

One good turn deserves another

Episode 160517 / 17 May 2016

Has someone helped you with something? If so, here's a phrase that tells you what to do next

To fall at the first hurdle

Episode 160510 / 10 May 2016

Got an idea that's never going to work? Here is a phrase to describe the situation

Pain in the neck

Episode 160503 / 03 May 2016

Learn the phrase Helen needs to describe the headache her mobile phone company is causing her

Going forward

Episode 160412 / 12 Apr 2016

Office speak for 'in the future'

Crash course

Episode 160329 / 29 Mar 2016

A really fast way to learn something!

You've sold it to me

Episode 160322 / 22 Mar 2016

Learn a different way to express 'you've convinced me'

Test the water

Episode 160223 / 23 Feb 2016

A water phrase which may have nothing to do with water

Hot potato

Episode 160202 / 02 Feb 2016

Learn a phrase to describe tricky situations

In good nick

Episode 160119 / 19 Jan 2016

Learn a phrase to describe something in top condition

Cheap and cheerful

Episode 160112 / 12 Jan 2016

A phrase to describe an inexpensive but fun product

Potty

Episode 151229 / 29 Dec 2015

Learn a phrase to describe someone going mad

I'm game

Episode 151222 / 22 Dec 2015

Neil is dying for a game of squash but Li is not game

Fancy someone

Episode 151208 / 08 Dec 2015

They seem to be getting on well... maybe they 'fancy' each other?

Down the pan

Episode 151201 / 01 Dec 2015

Learn a phrase to describe a disastrous situation

Sweet tooth

Episode 151117 / 17 Nov 2015

Do you have a sweet tooth? Is it something that you are born with or do you develop it?

Eye candy

Episode 151103 / 03 Nov 2015

Going out with a good-looking but uninteresting person?

Thingy

Episode 151027 / 27 Oct 2015

An expression for when you forget English words

Across the pond

Episode 151020 / 20 Oct 2015

Learn an expression which makes an ocean sound very small indeed

People person

Episode 151013 / 13 Oct 2015

An expression for those who get along with people

It's a steal!

Episode 151006 / 06 Oct 2015

An expression for when you get a bargain

Bull and bear market

Episode 150929 / 29 Sep 2015

Learn what we say when share prices go up and when they go down

Social media words

Episode 150922 / 22 Sep 2015

'Trolls' and 'haters' – the words for people who are just there to annoy you online

To know something like the back of your hand

A face for radio

Episode 150825 / 25 Aug 2015

A useful expression for indirectly saying that someone is ugly

Give me credit

Episode 150818 / 18 Aug 2015

Learn a phrase that's full of praise. You won't need a credit card to use this one

Hot desk

Episode 150804 / 04 Aug 2015

Hot-desking is a modern way of working in offices. Learn how to use this phrase as a noun and a verb

Out of juice

Episode 150728 / 28 Jul 2015

Oh no - your phone's out of battery. We have just the phrase you need!

The penny dropped

Episode 150721 / 21 Jul 2015

What do you say when you finally understand something? Learn a useful phrase to do just that in this programme

Red tape

Episode 150714 / 14 Jul 2015

An expression for when there are lots of rules and regulations

Words for underwear

Episode 150707 / 07 Jul 2015

What do you call your panties, socks and bra? Listen to the programme to find out...

To drink someone under the table

Episode 150630 / 30 Jun 2015

Drink to celebrate the good things in life, drink to forget the bad. Here's an expression for people who like a drink

Me time

Episode 150623 / 23 Jun 2015

Both work and home are demanding lots of your time but what you really want is a few hours to yourself. Here's an expression to help you deal with that.

Cyberbullying

Episode 150616 / 16 Jun 2015

Is there someone tormenting you online? Here's an expression for when people hide behind a computer to attack others.

Take a back seat

Episode 150609 / 09 Jun 2015

Learn a phrase about not taking control. You won't need a car for this driving-related idiom!

In black and white

Episode 150602 / 02 Jun 2015

What two colours do we use to describe something that's official? Learn a phrase that leaves you in no doubt!

A sticky situation

Episode 150526 / 26 May 2015

What kind of situation has Rob got into when he bumps into a woman on the way to work?

A close shave

Episode 150519 / 19 May 2015

What's a razor got to do with Rob's bike ride to work? Here's an expression for when you've had a narrow escape

My mind's gone blank

Episode 150512 / 12 May 2015

Why did Rob ask Feifei to meet him in the studio? Here's an expression for when you've forgotten something

To sleep on it

Episode 150505 / 05 May 2015

How can sleeping help you make a decision? Learn a phrase that doesn't involve lying on a bed!

All over the place

Episode 150428 / 28 Apr 2015

What's wrong with Neil today? Here's an expression for when you're badly organised

To go around the houses

Episode 150421 / 21 Apr 2015

Where do you go if you waste time asking pointless questions? We explain a useful phrase

Done and dusted

Episode 150414 / 14 Apr 2015

When someone says the phrase done and dusted, do they mean doing some proper cleaning?

Chill pill

Episode 150407 / 07 Apr 2015

It's hard to swallow but maybe it's time for a chill pill! We explain what that is

Put a sock in it!

Episode 150331 / 31 Mar 2015

Why has Helen put a sock in the toaster and how is that going to keep her quiet?

A wild card

Episode 150324 / 24 Mar 2015

Who's the wild card in the office? Rob and Feifei use a phrase to describe an unpredictable colleague

To take a shot / stab in the dark

Episode 150317 / 17 Mar 2015

Feifei thinks someone's been killed but then discovers taking a stab in the dark doesn't involve using knives!

To keep a lid on it

Episode 150310 / 10 Mar 2015

Li and Neil get free coffee at a cafe but they need to keep a lid on it

To be on the ball

Episode 150303 / 03 Mar 2015

Learn a phrase to describe the ability to quickly react to things

Mind-blowing

Episode 150224 / 24 Feb 2015

Feifei and Harry use an expression to describe things that amaze and astound

Out for the count

Episode 150217 / 17 Feb 2015

Neil and Li talk about how a boxing expression can be used in everyday life

Game changer

Episode 150210 / 10 Feb 2015

Feifei and Harry use an expression for people and ideas that change the way we do things

Wow factor

Episode 150203 / 03 Feb 2015

Harry and Feifei look at an expression for when things surprise and impress you

Full-on

Episode 150127 / 27 Jan 2015

Harry and Feifei talk about a common colloquial expression for when things are intense

Stab in the back

Episode 150120 / 20 Jan 2015

Harry and Feifei talk about an expression that is not as violent as it sounds

To downsize

Episode 150113 / 13 Jan 2015

Neil and Feifei talk about a word made popular by the economic downturn

At the movies

Episode 150106 / 06 Jan 2015

Sci-fi, romcom, whodunnit – What kind of movies do you like?

Killing time

Episode 141230 / 30 Dec 2014

Neil tells Helen to kill time but she smashes up a clock. Find out why and learn a useful expression.

Like turkeys voting for Christmas

Episode 141223 / 23 Dec 2014

Do you celebrate Christmas? Do you like eating turkey? Do you think turkeys like Christmas? Learn this humorous idiom

Face the music

Episode 141216 / 16 Dec 2014

There's something Neil's forgotten to do and now he has to face the music. Listen to the programme to find out why.

Internet speak

Episode 141209 / 09 Dec 2014

'Snail mail', 'post' and 'hard copy' – learn expressions connected with computers

Viral

Episode 141202 / 02 Dec 2014

Li's cat video has gone viral. Will she be happy about it? Learn an expression from the internet age

Give the cold shoulder

Episode 141125 / 25 Nov 2014

Is Feifei's designer shawl a solution to her problems with Lisa? Listen to the programme to find out

Phishing

Episode 141118 / 18 Nov 2014

Rob is deleting some emails. He won't take the bait sent in by criminals!

Take to the cleaners

Episode 141111 / 11 Nov 2014

Rob's very expensive shirt is ruined! Who will pay for it? Listen to the programme to find out

Eat humble pie

Episode 141104 / 04 Nov 2014

Is Rob hungry enough to win a pie-eating competition? Listen to the programme

Like water off a duck's back

Episode 141028 / 28 Oct 2014

Feifei has a thing or two to learn from the ducks in the park. So do you. Listen to the programme

Take for a ride

Episode 141021 / 21 Oct 2014

Cars that run on air? Sounds too good to be true. But Li thinks they're the future and wants to invest in a company that makes them. Will she lose her money?