Learning English

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Introduction

In this programme, Rob thinks he gets praise for not helping Feifei but soon gets to realise that having ‘thanks’ in an English phrase is loaded with sarcasm. Find out more about saying ‘thanks a bunch’ in this programme.

Transcript

Feifei
Hello, I'm Feifei and this is The English We Speak.

Rob
And hello, I'm Rob. So, Feifei, about tonight…

Feifei
Oh yes, you have kindly agreed to help me decorate my living room after work.

Rob
Yes… err… that was very kind of me. Too kind in fact. I'm very sorry, but I've got other plans now so I can't help.

Feifei
Thanks a bunch!

Rob
Oh, you're not angry then? You’re thankful I'm not helping you?

Feifei
No, Rob. I'm not happy. I was being sarcastic. When we say 'thanks a bunch! ' to someone, we're not saying 'thank you' – we are being ironic and really mean we are unhappy, annoyed or angry because they are being unhelpful or not doing what they said they would do. What am I going to do now, Rob? I need to get the decorating done before my parents visit tomorrow!

Rob
Why don't you listen to these examples, then you'll know you are not alone?

Feifei
Thanks a bunch!

Examples
You've used all the milk in the fridge. Thanks a bunch!

Thanks a bunch for telling everyone I'd split up with my boyfriend – I was trying to keep that secret!

Thanks a bunch! You said you'd do the shopping, and you didn't – now we've got nothing to eat.

Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. We’re hearing about the phrase 'thanks a bunch', which can be used as a sarcastic reply to someone who is being unhelpful or not doing what they said they would do. A similar phrase is 'thanks for nothing'. So, Rob, what’s so important that you can’t help me decorate tonight?

Rob
Well, it’s Neil's birthday and he's having some drinks…

Feifei
…and you'd rather do that. Well, thanks a bunch – enjoy yourself!

Rob
Sorry, Feifei. But I have bought you a present to say 'sorry'. There you go… a bunch of flowers.

Feifei
I love flowers… but not dead ones. These have all dried up!

Rob
Ah well, it's the thought that counts.

Feifei
Thanks a bunch. Bye for now.

Rob
Bye.

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