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Talking about being grumpy

Episode 260814 / 14 Aug 2026

(Photo: Getty)

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Introduction

Neil and Georgie have a real conversation in easy English about being grumpy – when you're feeling irritated and negative. Learn how to talk about what mood you are in, what makes Neil grumpy and what Georgie does to cheer herself up!

Vocabulary

grumpy
easily annoyed, negative

in a bad mood
grumpy, slightly angry or irritated

in a good mood
happy, positive

cheerful
happy in an obvious, visible way

cheer (yourself) up
make yourself feel happier

 More about feelings

Transcript

Neil
Hi Georgie, how are you today?

Georgie
I'm pretty good today, thank you, Neil. How are you?

Neil
I am much better than I was this morning. 

Georgie
Oh. How were you feeling this morning?

Neil
I was really grumpy. 

Georgie
Oh! Why is that?

Neil
Well, I'll tell you in a minute, but that's what we're talking about today – being grumpy, which means being in a bad mood.

Georgie
Yes, but before we begin, our listeners need to know that they can find a worksheet, a free worksheet, on our website at bbclearningenglish.com. So, you said you were feeling grumpy this morning. I didn't notice that. Why were you feeling grumpy this morning?

Neil
I get really grumpy if I'm hungry or tired, and very, very grumpy if I'm hungry and tired.

Georgie
Oh no! Is that how you were feeling this morning then?

Neil
Yeah. It's very hot at the moment – difficult to sleep.

Georgie
Yeah.

Neil
And we also didn't have any food in the fridge, so I came to work hungry and tired, and so I was grumpy.

Georgie
Oh well, you hid it very well. I didn't notice that. I've felt cheerful all day so far.

Neil
Well, you're always cheerful, Georgie. Or are you?

Georgie
I... No, I'm not always cheerful. Mostly, I have to say, mostly I am. But there are certain times of the month that make me feel very grumpy. And when I'm in a bad mood, I become a bit irritable. Small things that other people do annoy me. And sometimes it's not for any reason or it's for a very small reason and I shouldn't be so grumpy.

Neil
OK. Georgie, what kind of things make you grumpy?

Georgie
Well, as I said, there are certain times of the month where I feel grumpy, but other things that make me grumpy... Usually, if it's a really sunny day outside and I'm stuck inside working, that makes me feel a bit grumpy because I would prefer to be outside in the sun, in the park, spending time in the fresh air, but instead I'm working. So, you said that you're grumpy when you're hungry or tired. What kind of things do you do to cheer yourself up?

Neil
Ah yeah, to cheer myself up – to feel better. Well, eat something and sleep. But I guess also do something relaxing. Maybe do some exercise. Exercise is a really good thing to lift your mood.

Georgie
Yes. I, as I said, like to be outside. That will make me... That will put me in a better mood. Going for a walk in the park, being in nature with some fresh air. I also really like to put some upbeat music on and dance around my bedroom. I like doing that. That cheers me up. 

Neil
OK. I think that would cheer everybody up.

Georgie
What? If they got to watch it?

Neil
Yeah!

Georgie
What do you think about people who are always grumpy?

Neil
I do know someone who's always grumpy, but he's so grumpy, it's almost funny.

Georgie
Yeah. 

Neil
Like, he knows he's grumpy. And people make little jokes about it and he, kind of, knows he's grumpy.

Georgie
Mmm. So, it's entertaining for you.

Neil
Yeah. But it's still not really that nice to be close to.

Georgie
Yeah. A bit of a negative energy.

Neil
Absolutely. Georgie are you good at hiding it when you are grumpy.

Georgie
Well, apparently I am, because I sometimes am grumpy and you said that I never seem grumpy, so maybe I am very good at hiding it. I think it's good not to let other people feel your negativity coming out of you, but on the other hand I think it's also good to share how you feel sometimes.

Neil
OK. So, perhaps you are really grumpy right now...

Georgie
Yeah.

Neil
...even though you seem cheerful. 

Georgie
Even though I have a big smile on my face, yeah. It's because I've had a coffee. I'm feeling good.

Neil
OK. Georgie, it's time now to recap the language that we've used in this podcast.

Georgie
Yes, we had grumpy, which means easily annoyed, negative or in a bad mood.

Neil
Yes, in a bad mood. And the opposite of that is in a good mood, when you're feeling happy and cheerful. Cheerful is another word we heard today.

Georgie
Yes, cheerful is another word for happy, but you show it in an obvious way, maybe by smiling.

Neil
Yep. And we've got the phrasal verb cheer up, which means to become happy or cheerful.

Georgie
Yes. For example, I cheer myself up by dancing alone in my bedroom.

Neil
That's it for this episode of Real Easy English but come back next week for another episode.

Georgie
Yes. And don't forget, you can find a free transcript and worksheet to practise what you've learnt on our website, bbclearningenglish.com. Goodbye for now.

Neil
Goodbye.

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