Transcript

Jiaying
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me Jiaying…

Neil
… and me, Neil.

Jiaying
Have you started working on your act for this year’s BBC Learning English’s talent show?

Neil
No, I’ve been too busy writing a presentation for you, and doing your shopping. Why are you asking me to do everything for you?

Jiaying
Because you’re so good at it! Plus, I need time to perfect my act for the talent show. I have made a flying start!

Neil
What? For your act you’re starting to learn how to fly?

Jiaying
No, Neil. I didn’t say I was starting to fly, I said a flying start. I’m actually learning how to juggle umbrellas. We use the expression a flying start to mean ‘an excellent beginning’. We often use it to talk about competitions or races in which someone makes a strong or quick start.

Neil
Oh, OK. Well done on making a flying start on your umbrella juggling act! I can’t wait to see it!

Jiaying
I’ve already juggled seven umbrellas! I’ll show you my skills while we listen to these examples.

Examples
Your son has made a flying start in the class. He’s a brilliant student.

The athlete got off to a flying start. She set a record in the swimming event.

A flying start on a diet and losing a few kilos early on can really boost someone’s confidence.

Jiaying
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. We’re talking about the expression a flying start which means a strong or good beginning. We often use it with the words ‘have’, ‘make’ or ‘get off to’.

Neil
I can’t believe you juggled all seven umbrellas. How long did it take you to learn?

Jiaying
About an hour. Like I said, I got off to a flying start.

Neil
You really did. That was amazing. I need a flying start for my act. I’m learning to say the alphabet backwards!

Jiaying
Well, good luck with that boring act.

Neil
Thanks.

Jiaying
Right! I need to go and train harder. I want to win this! Bye!

Neil
Bye.