Cut the mustard

Finn: Hi, I'm Finn. And this is The English We Speak. And this is Feifei. A very sad-looking Feifei, by the way.

Feifei: Sorry, Finn. But I feel a bit of a failure失敗 today. I took part in a cooking contest where my grandmother and my mother were champions and I lost!

Finn: I sympathise同情 with you more than you know. My grandfather and my father were the best fishermen ever, and when I go fishing all I catch is a cold.

Feifei: I just can't understand why I didn't win this weekend. My pie was tasty, my cake looked appetising開胃的...

Finn: (Trying to make her feel better) Sometimes Feifei we've got to accept that we just can't cut the mustard(芥末).

Feifei: (Angry) What!? Are you saying that I can't cut the mustard?! I can cut the mustard, and the cheese, I can beat the eggs打蛋, sieve篩 the flour麵粉...

Finn: Calm down dear, this has nothing to do with your cooking skills. In English, when you say someone or something 'can't cut the mustard' you mean that it's not good enough.

Feifei: (Calming down a bit) So you're not doubting my cooking abilities.

Finn: I wouldn't dare敢. So, we can say 'can't cut the mustard', or 'don't' or 'doesn't cut the mustard'. Listen out for some examples of how to use this expression.

• I know the borough行政區 of Milton Keynes well. It's a charming place... but it doesn't cut the mustard where tourism is concerned.

• I won't study architecture. I am bad at drawing. I just can't cut the mustard.

Feifei: Now I get it. It means you can't meet the expectations期望. This is a very odd奇怪的 expression.

Finn: There is some controversy爭議, 爭論 about its origins. Some say it is because 'mustard' used to be slang俚語 for something that was the real thing, or the genuine article真正的文章. Others believe it has to do with the fact that mustard seeds are hard to crack.

Feifei: It sounds like an old expression.

Finn: It is and it seems to be very popular especially in America. Here in Britain you might hear a shorter version like 'he can't cut it'.

Feifei: Oh, I've learnt a lot today. And now, to prove to you that I can cut it - the mustard, the cheese and the pie, I am inviting you to have lunch in my house this weekend.

Finn: And what is on the menu?

Feifei: (Proud and confident) You mentioned fishing so I'll offer you my very own special fish dish: tuna and chocolate pie!

Finn: Tuna and chocolate pie?! (Inventing an excuse, a bit desperate失望) Sorry, I think I won't be able to make it this weekend. I've got to go... fishing. Bye.

Feifei: Another time, then. Bye
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theenglishwespeak/2013/03/130319_tews_115_cut_the_mustard.shtml

Battle of the bedbugs

They feast on盡情享受 our blood while we sleep - leaving itchy, red welts傷痕 as their calling card. Bedbugs are an insect that many would like to see the back of. But in North America, Europe and Australia,infestations蟲害 are on the rise - and our insecticides殺蟲劑 are losing their bite. 

Researchers at the University of Kentucky in the US have found 14 genes associated相關地 with resistance抵抗 to these chemicals. They're causing a number of biological changes in the bedbugs. These include the development of a thicker skin that stops the poisons from penetrating透入 and mutations突變 within the insects' bodies that prevent the toxins from hitting the nervous system. 

The genes linked to these changes are active in the insect's tough outer shell外殼 - creating a formidable強大的 first line of defence. These findings could help scientists to develop new insecticides that could either turn these genes off or bypass繞過 the pest's害蟲 molecular shields防衛(盾牌).

But until these substances are developed, exterminators滅蟲 are having to resort採取 to more primitive tactics.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/03/130315_witn_bed_bugs.shtml

To miss the boat

(Finn is picking up Feifei to go to his posh豪華的 uncle's party)

Finn: Come on, Feifei! We are going to be late - this party is my big chance!

Feifei: I'm almost ready, Finn! Hi, I'm Feifei. Finn has invited me to his posh uncle's party. He knows lots of celebrities!

Finn: Come on! And lots of musicians... I'm a bit of a rocker myself, and this might just be my chance to meet someone famous... Come on!

Feifei: Coming!

Finn: Maybe join the band... live the rock star life... oh, this is my one big chance! Come on or I'll miss the boat!

Feifei: Boat?! Why didn't you say it before?

(Hurried steps, rummaging in a wardrobe衣櫃裡 and a lifejacket inflating)

Feifei: Here I am.

Finn: A lifejacket!?救生衣

Feifei: Of course! We are going on a boat! I am afraid of water - I can't swim!

Finn: Feifei, there's no real boat! In English, when we use the expression 'to miss the boat' we mean that we are too late to take advantage of a good opportunity.

Feifei: No boat at all?

Finn: Not even a canoe獨木舟. Listen to these examples.

• If I hadn't bought a new flat套房 last year I would have missed the boat. Properties are more expensive now.

• I should have travelled the world when I was young. Now I have a family to take care of. I might have missed the boat.

Feifei: Oh, OK, so 'to miss the boat' is to miss an opportunity by being late. It makes sense.

Finn: Yes, but we're not going to make it on time now, unless... we take my uncle's helicopter! It's parked in a field nearby. Come on!

Feifei: Helicopter! Wait a minute, Finn.

(Hurried steps, rummaging in the wardrobe again)

Feifei: Now I am really ready.

Finn: Feifei, is it what I think it is? A parachute降落傘?!

Feifei: Well of course it is! I can't swim and I can't fly either. And I'm afraid of heights!

Finn: OK, don't you worry. Let's just go to the party. We don't want to miss the boat, do we?

Feifei: We don't want to miss the boat or the helicopter. Bye.

Finn: Bye.

(Helicopter taking off)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theenglishwespeak/2013/03/130312_tews_114_to_miss_the_boat.shtml

To take (something) on board

Li: Hello I'm Li, welcome to The English We Speak and today I'm at the airport with Rob. So Rob, here we are, about to fly off on a holiday of a lifetime.

Rob: Hmm, yes, but I don't think you'll be flying anywhere with those things in your hand-luggage.

Li: Why? What's wrong with this giant bottle of suntan cream - it was cheaper than buying a small one.

Rob: You can't take that on board - it's more than 100 millilitres - you won't get through security.

Li: Oh, I can't take that much liquid on board a plane.

Rob: And what do you need that penknife小刀 for?!

Li: In case I need to peel果皮 an apple?

Rob: Li! You can't take that on board either!

Li: Oh.

Rob: Honestly Li, don't you ever read the notices? Look, it says here, no sharp objects and no large bottles of liquid. I really think you need to do some preparation before you fly.

Li: Do some preparation? Oh OK, I'll take that on board.

Rob: Don't be stupid, you can't actually take 'preparation' on board. It's only objects... things... that you take 'on board' a plane, or a bus... or even a train.

Li: Rob, it's a phrase. "I'll take that on board". It means I will understand or accept a piece of information. So I'm not physically moving it.

Rob: But you could say you're moving some information into your brain?!

Li: I suppose so, but I think these examples will illustrate說明 the phrase better...

• If that shop wants to succeed it needs to take on board the views of all its customers.

• My brain aches! I need to take on board so many concepts and ideas if I'm going to pass this exam.

• Drivers are beginning to take on board the safety message that speeding kills.

Li: So there are some examples of using the phrase 'to take on board' - you understand or accept some information - so Rob, have you taken on board the meaning of this phrase?

Rob: Absolutely. And have you taken on board the safety and security information?

Li: Of course - so I'll just put these items in the bin箱子. Gone.

Rob: Right, our flight's ready for boarding now.

Li: Good... but I've got a very large handbag. Would you mind carrying it on for me?

Rob: Sure Li... Oh, Li, this is extremely heavy. Ouch. This is something you really won't take on board.

Li: Oh really?

Rob: Yes. Your handbag can't weigh any more than 15 kilograms.

Li: I see. More information that I'll take on board!

Rob: Good, next time remember what I've told you before you get to the airport. Come on we'd better go home. Bye for now.

Li: See you next time for The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. Bye.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theenglishwespeak/2013/03/130305_tews_113_to_take_on_board.shtml

The writing is on the wall

Rob: No! No! Don't pass the ball to him!

Vera: Rob is so loud! That's a lovely drawing, Dominic!

Dominic: Thank you, mummy! This is a balloon and the letter B! And this is…

Vera: And this is a boat, isn't it?

Dominic: No! This is a ball, to play football! Can't you see?!

Vera: Hi. I am Vera and this is Dominic.

Dominic: … and I am five! I'm a big boy now!

Vera: And Rob is over there, watching TV, supporting his team.

Rob: Arrrrghhhh! They're going to lose!

Vera: And Dominic is learning to write…

Rob: Oh nooooo! They've lost another goal! The writing is on the wall now! 壞事要發生了

Vera: Oh, no, writing on the wall? My nice and clean wall?! Dominic, have you written on the wall? Naughty頑皮的 boy!

Rob: No, no, no - there's nothing written on your wall, Vera! In English, we use the expression 'the writing is on the wall' when we want to say that something bad is going to happen to something or someone and there isn't much you can do about it. Like my football team. If it loses this match it is out of the championship.

Vera: So there is nothing written on the beautiful, clean walls of my brand new apartment?

Rob: No. Here are some examples of how you can use this expression.

• My auntie is really sad because she had to close her shop. To be honest, the writing has been on the wall for her business for a long time.

• You know Mary. She's a party girl that loves the city but I heard her husband is shy and has always wanted to live on a farm. The writing is definitely on the wall for their marriage.

• I haven't studied hard this year and I have been doing badly in exams. My teachers told me if I don't try harder the writing is on the wall.

Vera: So that's what this expression is used for: to indicate that something will end up badly. Well, at least my walls are ok. They are nice and clean! Dominic is still a good boy!

Rob: Gooooooal! Finally!

Rob: Oh, sorry Vera. Your walls are free of writing but your carpet is flooded with wine. Sorry. I've just knocked打破 my glass on the floor by accident and there is a big stain污點…

Vera: Oh Rob is the bad boy now! My beautiful carpet!

Rob: Red wine, white carpet… The writing was on the wall for this one. Sorry. And bye…

Vera: Bye Rob. Bye carpet.

Dominic: Carpet!? I want to write on the carpet!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theenglishwespeak/2013/02/130226_tews_112_the_writing_is_on_the_wall.shtml