Learning English

Inspiring language learning since 1943

The English We Speak is your chance to catch up on the very latest English words and phrases. In under 3 minutes, we help you stay ahead of the pack by giving you 'must have' phrases that you can use in your everyday conversation. Amaze your friends, impress your teachers and delight your parents with these fantastic words and phrases.

Let us know how you get on using them on Facebook.

For programmes from 2023, visit our The English We Speak 2023 archive

For programmes from 2022, visit our The English We Speak 2022 archive

For programmes from before 2022, visit our The English We Speak archive

已完成
You can't go wrong with
Episode 241223 / 23 Dec 2024
You can't go wrong with this episode!
已完成
The flip side
Episode 241216 / 16 Dec 2024
What does 'the flip side' mean?
已完成
In my travel era
Episode 241209 / 09 Dec 2024
What does it mean if you're 'in your travel era'?
已完成
Give it some welly!
Episode 241202 / 02 Dec 2024
Learn a fun, encouraging British English expression.
已完成
Shoehorn something in
Episode 241125 / 25 Nov 2024
My friend shoehorns that topic into every conversation...
已完成
On the fly
Episode 241118 / 18 Nov 2024
Can you learn new phrases on the fly?
已完成
That's on you
Episode 241111 / 11 Nov 2024
Not learnt this phrase yet? That's on you!
已完成
Warts and all
Episode 241104 / 04 Nov 2024
I love my dog, warts and all!
已完成
Off the scale
Episode 241028 / 28 Oct 2024
This lesson is off the scale!
已完成
Throw one's toys out the pram
Episode 241021 / 21 Oct 2024
Come on! Don't throw your toys out the pram...
已完成
Makes my skin crawl
Episode 241014 / 14 Oct 2024
What makes your skin crawl?
已完成
An uphill task
Episode 241007 / 07 Oct 2024
What do you find an uphill task?
已完成
Bide someone's time
Episode 240930 / 30 Sep 2024
When is it good to bide your time?
已完成
From the get-go
Episode 240923 / 23 Sep 2024
I loved English from the get-go!
已完成
Stomping ground
Episode 240916 / 16 Sep 2024
Really? That's my old stomping ground!
已完成
Tug at the heartstrings
Episode 240909 / 09 Sep 2024
When was the last time something tugged at your heartstrings?
已完成
Clutch at straws
Episode 240902 / 02 Sep 2024
When were you last in a desperate situation?
已完成
Crank up
Episode 240826 / 26 Aug 2024
Crank up your vocabulary knowledge with this programme
已完成
Find your groove
Episode 240819 / 19 Aug 2024
Have you found your groove?
已完成
Top-notch
Episode 240812 / 12 Aug 2024
Have you eaten anything top-notch recently?
已完成
Off the cuff
Episode 240805 / 05 Aug 2024
What have you done or said off the cuff?
已完成
Take the wheel
Episode 240729 / 29 Jul 2024
What’s the metaphorical meaning of ‘take the wheel’?
已完成
The works
Episode 240722 / 22 Jul 2024
Have you ever ordered a pizza with ‘the works’?
已完成
Dip your toe into
Episode 240715 / 15 Jul 2024
How does it feel to dip your toe into something new?
已完成
Ham-fisted
Episode 240708 / 08 Jul 2024
Are you ever ham-fisted?
已完成
Second nature
Episode 240701 / 01 Jul 2024
What's second nature to you?
已完成
Take the plunge
Episode 240624 / 24 Jun 2024
Take the plunge and learn this new expression
已完成
Peaks and troughs
Episode 240617 / 17 Jun 2024
This phrase will help you talk about the ups and downs of life.
已完成
Heavy lifting
Episode 240610 / 10 Jun 2024
Do you have to do all the heavy lifting?
已完成
stir the pot
Episode 240603 / 03 Jun 2024
How do you feel when people are stirring the pot?
已完成
wishy-washy
Episode 240527 / 27 May 2024
Here's an expression to use when things are just too vague
已完成
Shook
Episode 240520 / 20 May 2024
A word to express surprise or shock. Learn more here.
已完成
Let loose
Episode 240513 / 13 May 2024
An expression that means relax and celebrate. Learn more here
已完成
Zing
Episode 240506 / 06 May 2024
How can you give your English learning a bit of zing?
已完成
Do the trick
Episode 240429 / 29 Apr 2024
Learn the expression 'do the trick'
已完成
Beige flag
Episode 240422 / 22 Apr 2024
I find it weird. It's a beige flag.
已完成
Lay it on thick
Episode 240416 / 16 Apr 2024
The best book in the world? That's laying it on a bit thick.
已完成
Telling porkies
Episode 240409 / 09 Apr 2024
Learn the expression 'telling porkies'
已完成
In on it
Episode 240402 / 02 Apr 2024
Can we let you in on this phrase?
已完成
Walk someone through
Episode 240325 / 25 Mar 2024
Let us walk you through how to use this phrase.
已完成
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.
已完成
Cook up an idea
Episode 240311 / 11 Mar 2024
A phrase that means to come up with an idea carefully.
已完成
Read the room
Episode 240304 / 04 Mar 2024
A phrase that means to work out how people feel.
已完成
Rinse repeat
Episode 240226 / 26 Feb 2024
It's the same every day! Rinse, repeat
已完成
A million to one
Episode 240219 / 19 Feb 2024
Don't take this literally
已完成
Cash in on something
Episode 240212 / 12 Feb 2024
Do you have anything you can cash in on?
已完成
Makes your hair stand on end
Episode 240205 / 05 Feb 2024
What makes your hair stand on end?
已完成
On the go
Episode 240129 / 29 Jan 2024
A phrase to describe how busy you are
已完成
A blow
Episode 240122 / 22 Jan 2024
It'll be a blow if you don’t watch this lesson
已完成
Rear its head
Episode 240115 / 15 Jan 2024
What things can rear their ugly heads?
已完成
Elbow grease
Episode 240108 / 08 Jan 2024
What do we use elbow grease for?
已完成
Bring to the party
Episode 240102 / 02 Jan 2024
A phrase about offering something positive