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.

For programmes from 2025, visit ourThe English We Speak 2025 archive

For programmes from 2024, visit our The English We Speak 2024 archive

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

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A little something
Episode 251222 / 22 Dec 2025
We've got a little something for you
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Moment of truth
Episode 251215 / 15 Dec 2025
I'm about to open my exam results... It's the moment of truth
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Keep someone on their toes
Episode 251208 / 08 Dec 2025
Having a different work schedule each week keeps me on my toes
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duck out
Episode 251201 / 01 Dec 2025
Why did Beth duck out of Georgie's party?
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off base
Episode 251124 / 24 Nov 2025
"You think I don't like chocolate? You're way off base!"
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Take someone under your wing
Episode 251117 / 17 Nov 2025
Have you ever taken someone under your wing?
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No two ways about it
Episode 251110 / 10 Nov 2025
You need to listen to this – no two ways about it!
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-coded
Episode 251103 / 03 Nov 2025
That internet meme is so you-coded!
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Make a pig's ear of something
Episode 251027 / 27 Oct 2025
What does it mean to make a pig's ear of something?
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-core
Episode 251020 / 20 Oct 2025
What words can you make with -core?
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Cook
Episode 251013 / 13 Oct 2025
"He cooked that performance!"
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Neck of the woods
Episode 251006 / 06 Oct 2025
What’s happening in your neck of the woods?
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Teething problems
Episode 250929 / 29 Sep 2025
Are you having teething problems with anything?
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No leg to stand on
Episode 250922 / 22 Sep 2025
This phrase means that someone's argument is weak
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Speak someone's language
Episode 250915 / 15 Sep 2025
Sushi for lunch? You're speaking my language!
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Ate
Episode 250908 / 08 Sep 2025
You ate and left no crumbs!
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Muddle along
Episode 250901 / 01 Sep 2025
What's the difference between muddle along, muddle on and muddle through?
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Tough it out
Episode 250825 / 25 Aug 2025
Have you ever tried to tough it out?
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A you problem
Episode 250818 / 18 Aug 2025
What does 'that's a you problem' mean?
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Can't put my finger on it
Episode 250811 / 11 Aug 2025
Use this when you can't quite remember something
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All hands on deck
Episode 250804 / 04 Aug 2025
Shout 'all hands on deck' if you want everyone to help with something
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The CEO of
Episode 250728 / 28 Jul 2025
What are you the CEO of?
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Up to my eyes in
Episode 250721 / 21 Jul 2025
What does ‘up to your eyes in’ mean?
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Dabble in
Episode 250714 / 13 Jun 2025
What do you dabble in?
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Rope someone in
Episode 250707 / 07 Jul 2025
What does it mean to rope someone into an activity?
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Scratch the surface
Episode 250630 / 03 Jun 2025
If you've only listened to one of our podcasts, you've barely scratched the surface!
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Step into the shoes
Episode 250624 / 24 Jun 2025
Whose shoes are you ready to step into?
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Drop
Episode 250616 / 16 Jun 2025
If a new song 'drops', is it good or bad?
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All you like
Episode 250609 / 09 Jun 2025
What does 'all you like' mean?
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Around the clock
Episode 250602 / 02 Jun 2025
Have you been working around the clock?
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Have in your locker
Episode 250526 / 26 May 2025
What have you got in your locker?
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Come full circle
Episode 250519 / 19 May 2025
What's a 'full circle moment'?
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Grind someone's gears
Episode 250512 / 12 May 2025
What does it mean to 'grind someone's gears'?
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Feel seen
Episode 250505 / 05 May 2025
What does it mean to 'feel seen'?
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It's giving
Episode 250428 / 28 Apr 2025
What does 'it's giving' mean?
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Dial down
Episode 250421 / 21 Apr 2025
Don't dial down your efforts to learn English!
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The name of the game
Episode 250414 / 14 Apr 2025
What do you think is 'the name of the game' when you're learning English?
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Do it for the plot
Episode 250407 / 07 Apr 2025
Do it for the plot! Do something spontaneous to make life more exciting
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Let something slide
Episode 250331 / 31 Mar 2025
You're late! I'll let it slide just this once...
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Twist someone's arm
Episode 250324 / 24 Mar 2025
What does it mean to 'twist someone's arm'?
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Have someone on
Episode 250317 / 17 Mar 2025
What does it mean if you're 'having someone on'?
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Can-do attitude
Episode 250310 / 10 Mar 2025
If you have a can-do attitude, you don't let anything stop you.
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Go-to
Episode 250303 / 03 Mar 2025
Your 'go-to' is your preferred option.
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Skedaddle
Episode 250224 / 24 Feb 2025
Look at the time! We'd better skedaddle
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Fall on stony ground
Episode 250210 / 10 Feb 2025
We hope our advice doesn't fall on stony ground
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Make a rod for your own back
Episode 250203 / 03 Feb 2025
Have you ever made a rod for your own back?
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Ship
Episode 250127 / 27 Jan 2025
What does it mean if you 'ship' two people?
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Twig
Episode 250120 / 20 Jan 2025
I finally twigged who she was!
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Mooch
Episode 250113 / 13 Jan 2025
I love mooching around the market
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By the book
Episode 250106 / 06 Jan 2025
What does it mean to 'do things by the book'?

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