2024-07-16
3 分钟Here's an expression about trying something new. [Image: Getty] For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240716 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
Hello.
Welcome to the English we speak, where we explain phrases used by fluent english speakers so that you can use them, too.
I'm fei fei, and I'm here with Phil.
Hello.
How are you, fei fei?
I'm actually feeling incredibly relaxed.
I've just started doing a painting course.
I haven't done it before, and I wasn't sure if I'd like it, so I'm just dipping my toe into it at the moment.
But you know what?
It's actually quite relaxing.
Ah.
Well, the expression that we're learning in this program is dip your toe into or dip a toe into.
We'll look at what it means and how to use it.
Depending on who we're talking about, it can be dipping my toe into, dipping your toe into, or dipping his, her, or their toe.
Fei fei, you said you're dipping your toe into painting at the moment, but what does that mean here?
Well, dipping your toe in into something here, it means to start something slowly and gradually.
Think about going to the beach, especially in England when it's not that warm.
If you want to go for a swim but you're worried about the temperature, you might start by dipping your toe into the sea to see how cold it is.
So this expression means starting something gradually to see if we like it or not.
And actually, we often use this with things like hobbies, like painting.