Learning English

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Introduction

We all make mistakes, and sometimes we get really embarrassed about them. But what can we say to make someone feel better? How can we tell them to forget it and move on? Learn a useful phrase in this programme.

Transcript

Neil
Welcome to The English We Speak, with me Neil…

Feifei
And me, Feifei.

Neil
Sometimes when someone makes a mistake, we need to let them know that 'everyone makes mistakes, and they should try not to worry about it too much' – the expression we use is 'it happens to the best of us'.

Feifei
'It happens to the best of us'. Could you give us some examples of when you've said it, Neil?

Neil
Sure. Yesterday, my friend told me he missed a deadline at work. He felt terrible about it, but I said, 'don't worry, it happens to the best of us'.

Feifei
Yes, we’ve all missed deadlines before. Can you give us another example?

Neil
Yes, I went to a castle near where I live, at the weekend. At one point my wife said I should take a photo of the castle, but I had forgotten to bring my phone. I'd left it at home.

Feifei
It happens to the best of us. I've also left things at home before.

Neil
Let’s hear some more examples.

Examples
During the speech, the CEO completely forgot what he was saying. It happens to the best of us.

My daughter failed her driving test, and she was really upset. I told her it happens to the best of us.

My friend missed his train because he overslept. It happens to the best of us.

Feifei
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we are learning the expression 'it happens to the best of us'. We say it when we mean 'don't worry as anyone can make that kind of mistake'.

Neil
Yes, it's a common way to make someone feel better who has made a mistake and feels bad about it.

Feifei
Yes, it's a way of saying that they shouldn't worry about it, forget their mistake, and move on.

Neil
Yes, and sometimes we say: 'it can happen to the best of us', using the verb 'can'.

Feifei
Well, we've run out of time – but that can happen to the best of us, can't it?

Neil
It certainly can. Bye!

Feifei
Bye.

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