Learning English Conversations

The English We Speak: Learning English Conversations

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1239 - The English We Speak: Side quest

Everyday expressions and real English conversations to help make your English conversations easier.

Every week, we teach you a new phrase or word you can use in conversation with The English We Speak.

And we bring you special series to improve your English conversation.

Try Beating Speaking Anxiety to learn how to fight your fears of speaking English.

Find more at bbclearningenglish.com

Follow us at bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

1239 - The English We Speak: Side quest
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Everyday expressions and real English conversations to help make your English conversations easier.

Every week, we teach you a new phrase or word you can use in conversation with The English We Speak.

And we bring you special series to improve your English conversation.

Try Beating Speaking Anxiety to learn how to fight your fears of speaking English.

Find more at bbclearningenglish.com

Follow us at bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

Epizód összefoglalója

In this episode of The English We Speak, hosts Feifei and Phil explore the expression 'side quest'. Originally derived from video game terminology to describe secondary tasks, the phrase is used in everyday English to describe getting distracted by something fun or less important than one's main objective. The discussion covers how the term applies to real-life scenarios, such as shopping trips or travel detours. The episode also touches upon related English vocabulary using the word 'side', including 'side dish' and 'side hustle'.

Fejezetek

Kattints egy fejezetre, hogy közvetlenül ahhoz a pillanathoz ugorj

Kiemelések

I say I went to buy something for dinner, but then I ended up on a side quest and bought a load of records.

00:00:37 · The host uses the expression to describe how a simple shopping trip turned into an unplanned activity.

In many games, you have a main quest. That's the main thing that you have to do in a game. A side quest is not the main thing that you have to do.

00:00:59 · The hosts explain the linguistic origins of the term from video game mechanics.

We have quite a few expressions where we use the word side to talk about something less important.

00:02:26 · The hosts expand the lesson to include other common English terms like 'side dish' and 'side hustle'.

Epizódok

1239-

The English We Speak: Side quest

In this episode of The English We Speak, hosts Feifei and Phil explore the expression 'side quest'. Originally derived from video game terminology to describe secondary tasks, the phrase is used in everyday English to describe getting distracted by something fun or less important than one's main objective. The discussion covers how the term applies to real-life scenarios, such as shopping trips or travel detours. The episode also touches upon related English vocabulary using the word 'side', including 'side dish' and 'side hustle'.

21 júl. 2026
1238-

The English We Speak: Passing Ships

This episode of The English We Speak explores the idiom passing ships, a metaphor used to describe people who have different schedules and experience only brief encounters. The hosts explain the imagery of ships passing in the night and provide practical examples of how to use the expression in daily conversation, such as when discussing busy work lives or family visits. The program also introduces the related phrase cross paths, which describes instances where two people's lives intersect. Listeners will learn how to use these expressions naturally, including variations like removing the word like to create a stronger metaphor.

14 júl. 2026
1237-

The English We Speak: Understood the assignment

In this episode of The English We Speak, hosts Feifei and Georgie explore the modern slang phrase 'understood the assignment'. The discussion breaks down how the expression has evolved from its academic origins to become a way to praise someone for exceeding expectations or performing a task with perfect execution. The hosts provide various real-world examples, ranging from costume parties and restaurant dining to interior design and songwriting. The episode also introduces the related idiom 'go above and beyond' to describe efforts that surpass basic requirements.

07 júl. 2026
1236-

The English We Speak: Onto something

In this episode of The English We Speak, hosts Feifei and Becca explain the meaning and usage of the idiom 'on to something'. The discussion covers how the phrase is used to indicate that someone has discovered an important idea, clue, or a direction that suggests progress, often in a positive context. The episode also clarifies the distinction between being 'on to something' and being 'into something'.

30 jún. 2026
1235-

The English We Speak: Sell yourself short

Neste episódio do programa The English We Speak, as apresentadoras Feifei e Becca explicam o significado e o uso da expressão idiomática 'sell yourself short'. O episódio aborda como essa frase é utilizada quando alguém subestima o próprio valor ou faz comentários negativos sobre suas próprias capacidades, utilizando um diálogo contextualizado sobre uma reunião de trabalho.

23 jún. 2026