Here's an expression to use when things are just too vague. (Image: Getty) TRANSCRIPT 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-240527 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 ✔️ News Review ✔️ Office English They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
Welcome to the English we speak with.
Me Neil and me fei fei.
We have a word which describes something that is weak, vague or undefined.
It's wishy washy.
Wishy washy.
Let's hear how we can use this.
Neil, let's think about what not to do in a job interview.
If you turn up without thinking about the questions you might get asked, you'll only be able to come up with wishy washy answers.
I tried that once.
It really didn't work.
The interviewers asked me why I should get the job and I could only say something wishy washy about being good at doing new things.
Wishy washy answers to questions in job interviews or exams are those which don't really answer the question.
They are just a bit weak and undefined.
We can also use it to talk about the way that people do things.
Yes, we could say that a manager who takes a very weak approach to problems or is too scared to talk to their staff is a bit wishy washy.
Listen to these examples of how we can use wishy washy.
If you take such a wishy washy approach to dealing with these problems, theyre only going to get worse.
He gave some wishy washy excuse about not having time, but I think he just didnt want to do it.
Your answer needs to address these points.
If you just write something wishy washy, you won't get any marks.