I'm Feifei.

And I'm Neil.

Hey, thanks for joining me today Feifei.

No problem, Neil.

I wanted to give you my support

for your first run in the park.

Well, this run in the park is only five kilometres.

I know, but you're not particularly

fit and you haven't done much training.

Oh don't worry about that.

This will be a walk in the park!

Err, Neil. I hope you're not thinking

of walking around the park.

This is a run, a run in the park!

I have no intention of walking.

It's just an expression that means it's easy

to do, especially compared to other activities.

I'm glad to hear that because it's just about to start.

Let's hope you really do find it easy!

Don't worry, I will have finished by

the time you hear these examples.

I've been studying for so long.

This exam should be a walk in the park.

Oh, don't worry about me.

I've trekked in the Himalayas.

This hill will be a walk in the park!

The job at the bank will be a walk in the park.

You studied economics at university!

You're listening to The English We Speak

from BBC Learning English and Neil has

been using the phrase 'a walk in the park'

to explain that a run in the park is easy,

especially when compared to other activities

like running a full marathon, for example.

But where is Neil now?

(Panting.) Here I am. Oh, that was hard.

So that run wasn't a walk in the park then?

That's a shame.

Why's that?

Well, I thought that if running in the

park was too easy, you could train

for next year's London Marathon.

It's over 42 kilometres.

That would be no walk in the park.

Err, could we just park that idea, please?!

I'm going to do another activity

to keep fit and healthy.

Oh yes, what's that?

Walking. In the park!

Good idea. Bye!

Bye.

Hello and welcome back to

The English We Speak.

I'm Feifei.

And I'm Neil, hello everybody.

So Neil, word round the office is that

you had quite an exciting weekend!

That I did! I went away this weekend

to do some rock climbing!

How exciting! I didn't think that

would be your kind of thing.

What are saying, Feifei?

That I'm not in good shape? OK, fair point.

It has been a long time since I've been

rock climbing but I used to go all the time.

I may not have the stamina any more

but I still have the technique.

It was like riding a bike.

What? You rode a bike while climbing?

Or did you carry the bike up with you?

What are you talking about, Neil?!

No, I was struggling to pull myself

up the rocks, never mind a bike!

What I meant is that it's a skill I will

always have and always remember.

So we can say 'It's like riding a bike'

to mean that once you learn how to

do something, you never forget it.

Let's take a look at some more examples.

Though it's been a while since I made

a video, I managed to do it easily.

It was like riding a bike.

I used to do a lot of baking with my mother

as a child and recently I've got back into it.

It's like riding a bike really.

I know it's been a long time since you've done

any knitting, but honestly, it's like riding a bike.

This is The English We Speak from

BBC Learning English and we're talking

about the phrase 'It's like riding a bike'.

It's used when we want to say

that once you learn how to do

something, you never forget it.

So Neil said that rock climbing,

an activity he used to do all the time,

was like riding a bike.

That's right Feifei, it was difficult because it

was tiring, but I remembered with ease how

to tie the ropes and all the best techniques.

The idea is that once you have learnt to

do something once, like riding a bike,

you will never forget that skill.

Well it seems that setting up the studio

is not like riding a bike for you, Neil.

The volume in my headphones is way too loud!

Oh dear, I think I'd best get away

from here as fast as I can

before Feifei gets really mad!

Where's my bike…?

Thanks for joining us everyone!

Bye bye!

Great party last night, Feifei!

It was so much fun, Neil.

I loved your dad dancing, too!

You... saw my dad... dancing?

But my dad wasn't dancing.

He wasn't even there.

No, no, no.

You know what I mean: 'dad dancing'.

It means dancing like... well, like a dad.

I'm not sure where you're going with this?

'Dad dancing' is our phrase in

The English We Speak.

It describes a way of dancing

which is a bit awkward, not very cool,

maybe trying too hard.

What are you saying?

I can moonwalk. I can spin on the spot.

I can swing my arms in the air.

I've got all the moves!

All fantastic dad dancing moves!

Don't worry, it looked like you

were really enjoying yourself.

It's OK, I get it.

Some of my moves are a bit old-fashioned.

But sometimes it just feels good to let go!

I think your kids were a little bit embarrassed.

Really? They're just jealous.

Haha, maybe! OK, let's hear some examples.

Wow, look at Ernesto.

Is he swinging a cat? What a dad dancer!

Katka's dad was hilarious at the wedding.

Everyone had stopped dancing but

he was still up there dad dancing,

showing off all his moves.

I used to think Dad's dad dancing was funny.

But after he injured his ankle really badly

last time, I think it's time he slowed down.

You're listening to The English We Speak

from BBC Learning English.

Our expression is 'dad dancing'. Neil?

(Unintelligible) Yeah. (Unintelligible) Next Wednesday?

OK. Yeah... See you!

Who were you calling?

I've just booked some dance lessons.

You've helped me realise

I need to improve my skills.

I was only teasing, Neil.

It's OK. If I'm dancing, I want to be

the best dancer on the floor.

And if I'm dad dancing...

Well, I want to be finest

dad dancer you've ever seen!

Ha, best of luck. Bye.

Bye.

So Neil...

Yes, Feifei?

Everyone's asking, who was that beautiful

woman who you were at lunch with?

Ah, she's a... just a friend.

A new friend. Err, a very nice, new friend.

Ooh, you really like her!

Well, yes. She's lovely. She's a doctor.

Neil, I just can't help thinking...

she's so pretty!

What are you saying, Feifei?

She's too pretty for me?

As you know, I punch above my weight!

You certainly do.

And I'm not saying you're fat!

Haha. Yes, 'to punch above your weight' is

our phrase on The English We Speak.

It means to achieve beyond

what is expected of you.

We can use it to describe the performance

or influence of companies or even countries.

Or in this case, when Neil is going out with

someone more attractive and successful,

we say he is punching above his weight!

Hey, Feifei. That was a bit harsh.

Anyway, let's hear these examples.

Croatia punches above its weight

when it comes to football.

It has a population of under 5 million

but came second in the World Cup.

Even as a small business, you can punch

above your weight if you focus

on quality and build a strong brand.

Some of the cheaper smartphones

are really punching above their weight.

They're a fraction of the price

but have got some great features.

You're listening to The English We Speak

from BBC Learning English.

Our expression is 'punch above your weight'.

So, Neil, how did you meet this mystery woman?

Well, she's a doctor.

You know I was going to boxing class earlier this year?

Yes, how's that going?

Well, I stopped.

I was training with someone much bigger

than me, and I, err... broke my nose.

You were literally punching above your weight!

Yes. And who should I meet at the

hospital but this beautiful doctor!

Well, it's a good story.

Shame it's not true.

I know. I've never boxed in my life!

And I know you had lunch alone today.

Ahh. But I hope the story helps teach this phrase!

I hope so too.

Anyway, if you're not busy...

fancy lunch tomorrow, Feifei?

There you go again,

punching above your weight! Bye.

Ouch! That must have hurt!

Hello, this is The English We Speak

and I'm Feifei.

And hello, I'm Rob.

Hey Rob, watch this...

Yeah very impressive, Feifei.

But why are you singing and dancing?

Well, I booked a holiday in a lovely

hotel with a fantastic swimming pool.

Right. And you're celebrating by

singing and dancing? Very strange!

No Rob, of course not! There's a problem.

The swimming pool is closed for refurbishment and I

want to cancel my holiday but the hotel won't let me.

Oh right. So you're singing about it?

No. Neil told me to call the hotel again and

make a song and dance about my reservation.

So I'm practising before I do.

Haha, hold on Feifei. Don't waste your time.

What Neil means by

'to make a song and dance about it',

is to make lots of unnecessary fuss about it

- basically, to overreact.

Ah, got it! So, overreact - yes, I can do that!

Well, go and make that phone call

while we listen to some examples.

Urgh, my boyfriend makes such a song and

dance about doing the housework.

But to be honest, it's not that hard!

Don't make a song and dance about it.

I only asked you to move seats

so I could see the screen.

I can't believe they lost your suitcase at the airport.

You should make a song and dance

about this and get a proper apology.

This is The English We Speak from

BBC Learning English and we're learning about

the phrase 'to make a song and dance

about something' which means to make

a lot of unnecessary fuss about something.