Learning English

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Summary

Have you ever had so many things to do at the same time that it felt a bit overwhelming? It can be tricky when you want to focus on just one task. We have an expression to describe this situation.

Transcript

Feifei
Hello, and welcome to The English We Speak with me, Feifei…

Roy
And me, Roy. Rob sounds very stressed today. I think he’s worried about his magic trick!

Feifei
What magic trick? I know he has a lot of work on this week.

Roy
When I spoke to him on the phone, he said that he had a lot of plates spinning.

Feifei
No, Roy. If someone says they ‘have a lot of plates spinning’, it means that they ‘have a number of different tasks to do at the same time and can’t just focus on one’.

Roy
Ahh, so he was talking about work? Now I understand why he put the phone down when I started telling him about how many times I’d tried to find rabbits in my hats.

Feifei
Right. Let’s listen to these examples.

Examples
As a single parent, I always have a lot of things to do at the same time. I always have so many plates spinning.

He is always busy. He’s got so many hobbies and activities, and that’s not including work. He has a lot of plates spinning.

She decided to quit her job due to the heavy workload. She always complained that she had a lot of plates spinning.

Feifei
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re talking about the expression ‘have a lot of plates spinning’. This expression refers to having a lot of things to do at the same time.

Roy
Yes, I’ve also heard the expression used as ‘a lot of balls in the air’. You look quite busy today!

Feifei
I’m always busy Roy! I have so much work and I have a lot of balls in the air at the moment.

Roy
Maybe I can help you?

Feifei
Brilliant idea! In fact, I’ve already created you a list of things to do so I can focus on one task – the most important one!

Roy
Wow! There are so many things on this list! Now I have a lot of plates spinning. What task are you focussing on that’s so important?!

Feifei
My birthday party! Someone needs to arrange that!

Roy
You can’t be serious!

Feifei
Of course I am – I wouldn’t ask you to do that as well. Bye.

Roy
Bye.

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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?
Flatten the curve
Episode 200817 / 17 Aug 2020
What did you do to flatten the curve?
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?
A slippery slope
Episode 200720 / 20 Jul 2020
Learn a slippery phrase
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?
It happens to the best of us
Episode 200619 / 19 Jun 2023
A phrase about making people feel better.
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?
Live for something
Episode 200504 / 04 May 2020
What’s are you living for?
Cabin fever
Episode 200427 / 27 Apr 2020
What is cabin fever?
Bang on about something
Episode 200420 / 20 Apr 2020
What are you banging on about?
Fire
Episode 200413 / 13 Apr 2020
This phrase is fire!
Running on fumes
Episode 200406 / 06 Apr 2020
So tired!
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
A memory like a sieve
Episode 200224 / 24 Feb 2020
An English phrase to remember
Nomophobia
Episode 200217 / 17 Feb 2020
No phone – no-mophobia!
Peacocking
Episode 200210 / 10 Feb 2020
A phrase to show off with
To kick (something) into the long grass
Episode 200203 / 03 Feb 2020
Give your English a kick!
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?
Out with the old, in with the new
Episode 191230 / 30 Dec 2019
A phrase to describe what you can do at this time of year!
The more the merrier
Episode 191223 / 23 Dec 2019
Learn a merry phrase with friends!
Take one for the team
Episode 191216 / 16 Dec 2019
Three tickets, four people. What to do?
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?
Punch above your weight
Episode 191118 / 02 Oct 2019
It sounds violent, but this phrase might surprise you!
Social media influencer
Episode 191111 / 11 Nov 2019
What exactly is a social media influencer?
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
Hot under the collar
Episode 190819 / 03 Jul 2019
Cool off and learn this phrase with us
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!
To fight tooth and nail
Episode 190708 / 08 Jul 2019
A phrase about determination
It's a small world
Episode 190701 / 01 Jul 2019
An expression about coincidences
To vanish into thin air
Episode 190624 / 24 Jun 2019
A disappearing phrase
Get the short straw
Episode 190617 / 17 Jun 2019
A phrase that sucks!
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
Like riding a bike
Episode 190513 / 13 May 2019
An 'easy' phrase
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!
Give someone the runaround
Episode 190415 / 15 Apr 2019
A phrase to describe being unhelpful
Laughing all the way to the bank
Episode 190408 / 08 Apr 2019
Learn a funny phrase!
The joke is on you
Episode 190401 / 01 Apr 2019
It's no joke!
Keep a lid on it
Episode 190325 / 25 Mar 2019
Keep this phrase a secret!
To pull the wool over someone's eyes
Episode 190318 / 18 Mar 2019
A deceiving phrase
To take the rough with the smooth
Episode 190311 / 11 Mar 2019
A good and bad phrase
Hard-nosed
Episode 190304 / 04 Mar 2019
A tough phrase
To have a soft spot
Episode 190225 / 25 Feb 2019
A phrase you'll really like
To make a song and dance (about something)
Episode 190218 / 18 Feb 2019
A phrase to sing about
Giant killer
Episode 190211 / 11 Feb 2019
A phrase about big vs small
A shock to the system
Episode 190204 / 04 Feb 2019
Prepare to be shocked!
From pillar to post
Episode 190128 / 28 Jan 2019
A moving phrase!
Small talk
Episode 190121 / 21 Jan 2019
Informal chat
A bright spark
Episode 190114 / 14 Jan 2019
Is this a clever phrase?
To be all downhill
Episode 190107 / 07 Jan 2019
An easier phrase
Fireworks
Episode 181231 / 31 Dec 2018
A phrase to shout about
To have all your Christmases come at once
Episode 181224 / 24 Dec 2018
Get that festive feeling again and again
It's the thought that counts
Episode 181217 / 17 Dec 2018
A phrase for bad presents
Digital detox: What's the meaning?
Episode 181210 / 10 Dec 2018
A detox of a different kind
'It leaves a bad taste in your mouth': What does it mean?
Episode 181203 / 03 Dec 2018
Great food but a bad taste
Pea-souper
Episode 181126 / 26 Nov 2018
Is it a meal or a type of weather?
Throw in the towel
Episode 181119 / 19 Nov 2018
Time to give up
A walk in the park
Episode 181112 / 12 Nov 2018
An easy expression
Dumbphone
Episode 181105 / 05 Nov 2018
A less intelligent phone
No fear
Episode 181029 / 29 Oct 2018
Who's scared?
Something to chew on
Episode 181022 / 22 Oct 2018
An indecisive phrase
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
To play a blinder
Episode 181001 / 01 Oct 2018
Doing something amazing
Miffed
Episode 180924 / 24 Sep 2018
Has someone annoyed you?
Humblebrag
Episode 180917 / 17 Sep 2018
What’s worse than bragging?
Out of your depth
Episode 180910 / 10 Sep 2018
A deep phrase
Mardy
Episode 180903 / 03 Sep 2018
A moody expression
Curry favour
Episode 180827 / 27 Aug 2018
A spicy expression
Take the biscuit
Episode 180820 / 20 Aug 2018
A sweet phrase
Step on it
Episode 180813 / 13 Aug 2018
Hurry up!
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!
A necessary evil
Episode 180716 / 16 Jul 2018
Unavoidable situations
If the cap fits
Episode 180709 / 09 Jul 2018
A truthful phrase
My bad
Episode 180702 / 02 Jul 2018
It was me!
To have a good nose (for something)
Episode 180625 / 25 Jun 2018
No smelling needed!
Friends in high places
Episode 180618 / 18 Jun 2018
A phrase about knowing important people
Catch-22
Episode 180611 / 11 Jun 2018
A no-win situation
Let the dust settle
Episode 180604 / 04 Jun 2018
Dust off an old English phrase
Nothing to shout about
Episode 180528 / 28 May 2018
A quiet phrase
Let sleeping dogs lie
Episode 180521 / 21 May 2018
A trouble-free phrase
Bleed someone dry
Episode 180514 / 14 May 2018
Blood money
Small change
Episode 180507 / 07 May 2018
A trivial phrase
That'll teach you!
Episode 180430 / 30 Apr 2018
Serves you right!
An old hand
Episode 180423 / 23 Apr 2018
Some who's skilled and experienced
Out of the loop
Episode 180416 / 16 Apr 2018
Are you missing out?
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!
Barking up the wrong tree
Episode 180319 / 08 Mar 2018
Don't blame me!
Cloud cuckoo land
Episode 180312 / 12 Mar 2018
A ridiculous phrase!
A taste of your own medicine
Episode 180305 / 05 Mar 2018
Payback time!
Happy-go-lucky
Episode 180226 / 26 Feb 2018
A worry-free phrase
Whizz-kid
Episode 180219 / 19 Feb 2018
Young and clever
The best of both worlds
Episode 180212 / 12 Feb 2018
Two good things
Bone idle
Episode 180205 / 05 Feb 2018
A lazy phrase
To cut a long story short
Episode 180129 / 29 Jan 2018
Just give me the details
Just the ticket
Episode 180122 / 22 Jan 2018
Just what I wanted!
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…
All that jazz
Episode 171225 / 25 Dec 2017
When jazz isn't jazz…
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
To shout it from the rooftops
Episode 171204 / 04 Dec 2017
Shout it out
To blow the cobwebs away
Episode 171127 / 27 Nov 2017
An energetic phrase
A knees-up
Episode 171120 / 20 Nov 2017
Party time!
To put someone on the map
Episode 171113 / 13 Nov 2017
Fame at last!
Down in the dumps
Episode 171106 / 06 Nov 2017
Is this a rubbish phrase?
Excuse me!
Episode 171030 / 30 Oct 2017
A polite phrase – most of the time
A sting in the tail
Episode 171023 / 23 Oct 2017
Learn a phrase with a painful ending
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!
Left, right, and centre
Episode 170822 / 22 Aug 2017
Doing something everywhere
Donkey's years
Episode 170815 / 15 Aug 2017
Years and ears!
Give us a bell
Episode 170808 / 08 Aug 2017
Someone's ringing!
Echo chamber
Episode 170801 / 01 Aug 2017
Echo echo echo echo…
Snowflake
Episode 170725 / 25 Jul 2017
Do you melt too easily?
The heat is on
Episode 170718 / 18 Jul 2017
Too much pressure!
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
A busman's holiday
Episode 170627 / 27 Jun 2017
Learn a phrase about a working holiday
Fuddy-duddy
Episode 170620 / 20 Jun 2017
Not cool!
No great shakes
Episode 170613 / 13 Jun 2017
Not impressed!
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
It comes with the territory
Episode 170509 / 09 May 2017
Accept the situation!
It won't wash
Episode 170502 / 02 May 2017
A dirty phrase
Jack-of-all-trades
Episode 170425 / 25 Apr 2017
A multi-skilled phrase!
The coast is clear
Episode 170418 / 18 Apr 2017
Nobody's watching!
Pull a fast one
Episode 170411 / 11 Apr 2017
Don’t be cheated – learn this phrase!
Suck it and see
Episode 170404 / 04 Apr 2017
You won’t know until you try
To cut your teeth
Episode 170328 / 28 Mar 2017
Gaining new experience
Shrinkflation
Episode 170321 / 21 Mar 2017
Getting less for your money
La-la land
Episode 170314 / 14 Mar 2017
It's not Los Angeles!
A different kettle of fish
Episode 170307 / 07 Mar 2017
Fishing for a phrase? This could be the one for you
At the drop of a hat
Episode 170228 / 28 Feb 2017
Acting on impulse!
Brass neck
Episode 170221 / 21 Feb 2017
An expression about saying what you think
Reinvent the wheel
Episode 170214 / 14 Feb 2017
Doing it all over again
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
A slap in the face
Episode 161227 / 27 Dec 2016
Words not actions
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?
To wash your dirty linen in public
Episode 161101 / 01 Nov 2016
An expression about not keeping matters private
Cat got your tongue?
Episode 161025 / 25 Oct 2016
A phrase about not saying much
It takes two to tango
Episode 161018 / 18 Oct 2016
How many people dance the tango?
Knee-jerk reaction
Episode 161011 / 11 Oct 2016
An expression connected to the knee
To have an axe to grind
Episode 161004 / 04 Oct 2016
An expression for when someone's got a strong opinion
Close, but no cigar
Episode 160927 / 27 Sep 2016
A phrase about almost succeeding
Get somebody's goat
Episode 160920 / 16 Sep 2016
A phrase about something annoying
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
To pull something out of the hat
Episode 160816 / 16 Aug 2016
What surprising things come out of a hat?
In the blink of an eye
Episode 160809 / 09 Aug 2016
An expression to show speed
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
To make a mountain out of a molehill
Episode 160719 / 19 Jul 2016
Don't overreact - use this phrase!
The last/final straw
Episode 160712 / 12 Jul 2016
Something tiny could cause a lot of problems
The university of life
Episode 160705 / 05 Jul 2016
Where's the best place to learn about life?
White-collar worker / blue-collar worker
Episode 160628 / 28 Jun 2016
What does the colour of your clothes say about your job?
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
Until you're blue in the face
Episode 160607 / 07 Jun 2016
Can you face this phrase?