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The English We Speak: Throw ideas at the wall

6/9/20263 min

Sometimes you want to come up with ideas without thinking too much. That's when you throw ideas at the wall to see if anything sticks. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.

As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak\_2026/ep-260608.

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Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Feifei· Host0:00

    Did you know we have new podcasts and videos to improve your English every weekday? And we send a weekly email newsletter with tips and suggestions for what to do this week. Never miss an update from BBC Learning English. Subscribe to the newsletter for free at bbclearningenglish.com. Hello, and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases and expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I'm Feifei.

  2. Phil· Host0:29

    And I'm Phil. How are you doing, Feifei?

  3. Feifei· Host0:32

    Oh, I'm trying to think of a theme for my son's birthday party, but I'm not sure what he'd like.

  4. Phil· Host0:37

    How about dinosaurs or pirates or space or football or a superhero party?

  5. Feifei· Host0:46

    Wait, wait, wait, Phil. Give me a minute. That's too many ideas.

  6. Phil· Host0:50

    Sorry, I was just throwing ideas at the wall. Surely something must work.

  7. Feifei· Host0:55

    Maybe, but I need to slow down a bit. What we can do is learn that expression, throwing ideas at the wall. What do we mean by that?

  8. Phil· Host1:05

    Okay. If someone throws ideas at the wall, it means they make lots of suggestions with the hope that one might be okay. It suggests that you haven't thought that much about the ideas you're saying.

  9. Feifei· Host1:19

    Yes, it did sound like you were just saying the first things that came into your head.

  10. Phil· Host1:24

    And we also talk about throwing ideas at the wall until something sticks,

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