Learning English

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Introduction

An expression meaning to persuade someone. Learn how to use it here.

Transcript

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them as well. I'm Feifei, and I'm joined by Beth.

Beth
Hi Feifei. I hear you went out for a delicious dinner last night.

Feifei
I did, actually! I wasn't going to, but my friend twisted my arm, and I ended up going.

Beth
I'm guessing you don't mean she physically grabbed your arm and twisted it… That would be painful!

Feifei
No. If someone 'twists your arm', they persuade you to do something. It's often used to describe persuading a person who is unsure or reluctant about doing something.

Beth
So your friend convinced you to go out to dinner when you weren't sure.

Feifei
And I'm glad she did because it was an amazing meal. Have you had your arm twisted recently?

Beth
Yes. My mum invited me to a concert, and I didn't really want to go because it's not my kind of music. But she twisted my arm, and I went. And do you know what? I actually really enjoyed it.

Feifei
Oh, that's really nice. Let's hear some more examples of the phrase 'twist someone's arm'.

Examples
I really didn't want to spend all that money on an air fryer, but you twisted my arm, and I'm glad you did. It's amazing.

My general knowledge is really bad, but my friends have twisted my arm, and now I'm on a quiz team.

You know I hate parties, but you've twisted my arm now so I'm going to come.

Beth
'Twist someone's arm' is often used when someone needs to be convinced a lot. So, for example, if you offered me a slice of cake, you wouldn't need to twist my arm because I would say yes very quickly!

Feifei
But even though it's about persuading, it's mostly used in a friendly, light-hearted way, though you can use it to say you were forced into something – it's just less common.

Beth
Yeah. Like if I really didn't want to lead on a project but my manager said I had to, then I might feel that my arm was twisted and I had no choice.

Feifei
Indeed. That's all from us. We'll be back next time with another useful English phrase. See you soon!

Beth
Bye!

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