Learning English

Inspiring language learning since 1943

Summary

Sometimes it's important to communicate that something must be done, without question or delay. In today's episode, our presenters engage more with the use, meaning and context of this expression.

Transcript

Feifei
This is The English We Speak with me Feifei…

Rob
…and I’m Rob. Hey Feifei, you know this is the programme where we teach an authentic English phrase?

Feifei
Yes, Rob.

Rob
Well, I just wondered if today, we didn’t. We did something else?

Feifei
No! We have to teach an English phrase – no ifs or buts.

Rob
But if we sang a song for a change, it might be more fun.

Feifei
No ifs or buts. We’re here to teach English, and that’s the phrase we’re teaching this time.

Rob
But couldn’t we just…

Feifei
No ifs or buts, Rob – no compromises! When we say to someone ‘no ifs or buts’ it means there is no negotiation, no compromise, and no excuses - it just has to be done. It can also mean there is no doubt.

Rob
Hmm, and do we have to have some examples?

Feifei
No ifs or buts, we do…

Examples

No ifs or buts - you have to be in bed by ten o’clock.

We’ve all got to work really hard to complete this project by the deadline – no ifs or buts.

No ifs or buts – this is the best restaurant I have ever eaten at.

Feifei
In this The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, we’re talking about the phrase ‘no ifs or buts’ which can be said to mean ‘no negotiation, compromise or excuses’ – what has been said has to be done. It can also mean there is no doubt – So, Rob, no ifs or buts, we are here to teach an English phrase.

Rob
OK, I’ve got it – no singing, no dancing, just teaching.

Feifei
Rob, if you want to do some dancing go ahead, but we should invite everyone to come and watch.

Rob
Hmm, you’re right, no ifs or buts – let’s stick to teaching an English phrase.

Feifei
Very wise. And no ifs or buts, we have to go now. Bye.

Rob
Bye bye.

ሐድሽ ፓድካስትታት ተመልከት The English We Speak

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