Crystal clear

Li: Welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Li and with me is Rob. Hi Rob.

Rob: Hello Li.

Li: So Rob, thanks for offering to help me build my new wardrobe衣櫃. It's come in a hundred pieces and I don't know where to begin.

Rob: No problem Li, I'm happy to lend a hand. I'm great at building furniture!

Li: Good because the instructions seem to be so confusing. This bit here… doesn't fit… here.

Rob: Let's have a look. Give it to me. Let's have a look at these instructions. Yes, simple, it's crystal clear!

Li: Crystal clear? The instructions are crystal clear? Rob, my wardrobe may look fancy but there are no crystals in it.

Rob: I know that. I just mean the instructions are obvious – they are simple and clear to understand. If we say something is crystal clear we simply mean it is absolutely clear. Is that clear?

Li: It is. You mean it's easy to understand. I suppose, literally it means as clear as a crystal?

Rob: Exactly. Let's hear some examples of this idiom in action:

• The man's directions were crystal clear and we arrived at the station early.
• Mum made it crystal clear that we wouldn't be going to the party.

Li: So in those examples, crystal clear was used to mean extremely clear or easy to understand. But Rob, what I can't understand is why you find these instructions crystal clear and I can't?

Rob: That's easy – you had them upside down顛倒.

Li: Silly me!

Rob: But if you just put that piece of wood in there… and put a screw螺絲 in there… and hook the doors onto there… your wardrobe will be complete. Is that clear?

Li: Crystal clear!

Rob: Good. But as I'm here now, I'll finish it for you. (Noises of Rob building wardrobe) There you go… what do you think?

Li: (Tapping the wood) Yes, it seems quite solid… oh no…

(Wardrobe collapse)

Li: Oh dear. Now I know what is really crystal clear.

Rob: Oh yes, what's that?

Li: I will never ask for you to help me build a wardrobe again. Is that clear?

Rob: Crystal!

Both: Bye.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theenglishwespeak/2013/12/131224_tews_155_crystal_clear.shtml

To have a word

Finn: Welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Finn and I'm waiting here in the studio for Feifei, who is late - again. I'm really getting fed up厭煩 with her. I think I'll need to speak to her about this.

Feifei:(Door closing) Hi Finn, sorry I'm late. You know how I love crosswords? Well, I was just doing one, and I forgot the time…

Finn: We need to have a word, Feifei.

Feifei: We need LOTS of words, Finn.

Finn: What?

Feifei: To complete a crossword successfully, we need lots of words.

Finn: No, I'm not talking about your crossword, Feifei. I'm talking about your lateness遲到. When I say 'we need to have a word', I mean we need a short, serious discussion about this sensitive topic.

Feifei: Oh, I see. You're upset that I'm late, so you asked me for a word.

Finn: That's right. Here are some examples

• Woman: The noise from the upstairs flat is SO loud. It's late now and I can't sleep!
• Man: I'll have a word with them in the morning. This can't carry on繼續.

• Man: I'm exhausted. I've been working 15-hour days for three weeks now. I think I might collapse崩潰.
• Woman: You should have a word with your boss. He might not realise how this is affecting you.

Feifei: OK, Finn. I understand. I'll make an effort工夫 to be on time from now on.

Finn: It's always better to have a word than just get angry.

Feifei: Yes, you're right.

Finn: Good. Shall we get on with the programme, then?

Feifei: Well, actually Finn, I would like to have a word from you too.

Finn: A word with you. The expression is a word with you.

Feifei: No, no – I want a word from you, Finn. You see clue 6 in the crossword is so tricky!

Finn: Feifei, I don't want to do your crossword!

Feifei: Oh just this one clue! It's an animal with… five letters. What could it be? A horse? No…

Finn: Look, Feifei. I'm going to need to have another word with you! We need to record the programme!

Feifei: Donkey? No that's six letters…

Finn: Feifei, come on!

Feifei: Maybe it's a whale?

Finn: Stop it!

Feifei: Giraffe? No.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theenglishwespeak/2013/12/131231_tews_156_to_have_a_word.shtml