Learning English Conversations

Learning English Conversations

BBC Radio

1238 - The English We Speak: Passing Ships

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

1238 - The English We Speak: Passing Ships
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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

Resumen del episodio

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.

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Destacados

Passing ships. That's the expression we're learning in this programme.

00:00:32 · The hosts introduce the primary idiom of the episode.

Passing ships is often used to talk about busy adult life when two people are finding it hard to meet.

00:01:08 · The hosts define the typical social context for using this expression.

Now, because we're comparing ourselves to passing ships, we often use the word like. We're like passing ships.

00:01:52 · The hosts explain the grammatical structure of using the metaphor.

Now, another phrase that expresses a similar idea is cross paths.

00:02:04 · The hosts introduce a secondary idiom with a related meaning.

Episodios

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 jul. 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 jul. 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 jun. 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 jun. 2026
1234-

The English We Speak: Wrap it up

Neste episódio do programa The English We Speak, os apresentadores explicam o significado e o uso da expressão idiomática 'wrap something up'. O episódio detalha como a expressão é utilizada para indicar o ato de finalizar ou concluir algo, seja uma conversa telefónica, uma reunião ou um projeto de trabalho de longa duração. A discussão abrange as nuances de uso, incluindo situações de impaciência e o contexto de conclusões planeadas. Além disso, o programa explora termos relacionados, como 'that's a wrap' e 'wrap party', frequentemente utilizados na indústria cinematográfica.

16 jun. 2026