About this episode
This expression is about causing someone else to stay alert and ready for anything. Learn how to use it here.
FIND A TRANSCRIPT:
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251208
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER:
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters
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:
✔️ Learning English Grammar
✔️ Learning English from the News
✔️ 6 Minute English
They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
FIND A TRANSCRIPT:
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251208
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER:
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters
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:
✔️ Learning English Grammar
✔️ Learning English from the News
✔️ 6 Minute English
They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
Get every episode summarized
Each time The English We Speak publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The English We Speak
The English We Speak: Non-starter
The English We Speak
Sep 1, 20263:46pending
The English We Speak: No notes
The English We Speak
Aug 25, 20262:54pending
The English We Speak: Say less
The English We Speak
Aug 18, 20262:36pending
The English We Speak: Share your life story
The English We Speak
Aug 11, 20263:18pending