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Let the dust settle: The English We Speak

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    Hello and welcome to The English
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    We Speak.
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    I'm Feifei but I'm not sure where Neil is.
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    Sorry I'm late.
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    It's going a bit crazy out there in the office.
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    Crazy?
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    Yes. Everybody is arguing and shouting.
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    About what exactly?
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    The mess in the office.
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    The boss says it's untidy
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    and we should clear up after ourselves.
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    He even said that my desk was like a pigsty!
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    Hmmm, well you'd better stay in here and keep out of the way
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    until things have calmed down.
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    Good idea. I'll just let the dust to settle.
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    Oh, so the office is messy and dusty.
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    Is that what everyone's arguing about. The dust?
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    No Feifei,
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    I just mean I'll wait for the situation to calm down.
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    Got it!
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    So, you're just keeping out of the way.
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    Are you scared?
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    Of course not.
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    I just wanted to hear these examples.
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    We've had lots of complaints about the changes
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    but let's wait until the dust settles
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    before we respond.
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    We're busy moving house at the moment
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    but I'll give you a call when the dust settles.
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    Now the dust has settled after the restructuring,
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    I think we can talk about recruitment.
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    This is The English We Speak from the BBC
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    and we're finding out about the phrase
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    'let the dust settle',
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    which means to wait for a situation to calm down.
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    We can also say 'wait for the dust to settle',
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    which is what I'm doing right now.
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    Neil, I have a feeling you're just avoiding the situation for one reason.
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    Oh yeah, what's that?
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    Look out there.
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    They're all pointing at your desk.
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    They're not arguing about a messy office.
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    They're complaining about your mess.
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    Really. Well I like to work in a messy environment.
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    Maybe, but I don't think the dust is
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    ever going to settle in this argument.
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    OK. But I think I'll stay in here for just a little longer.
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    Bye.
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    Bye.
Title:
Let the dust settle: The English We Speak
Description:

You'll find the transcript here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak/ep-180604

Neil's keeping out of the way. There's an argument in the office about the messy desks but it's really only about one desk – Neil's! It's a good time for him to teach Feifei a new phrase while the dust settles – whatever that means!

[Images: GETTY IMAGES]

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Video Language:
English
Duration:
02:18

English subtitles

Revisions

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