Summary
Rob's got a second job but Feifei doesn't think he's good at it. What can she say to gently suggest he shouldn't do it? Find out the authentic English to use in this programme.
Transcript
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript
Feifei
Hello, this is The English We Speak, with me Feifei…
Rob
[singing badly] And me Rob. Hello!
Feifei
Err Rob, what is that terrible noise?
Rob
Noise? This is my best singing voice - I need it for my new job.
Feifei
You didn't tell me you were leaving the BBC and going to a new job.
Rob
I'm not - I've got a new part-time job in the evenings to earn a bit of extra cash [tries singing again].
Feifei
Hmm - and this second job involves singing, does it?
Rob
Yes, that's right. I'm going to be a cabaret singer in a nightclub. Good news, isn't it?
Feifei
Well, Rob, don't give up the day job!
Rob
Oh - that's an expression which means someone's not very good at doing something and isn't likely ever to be successful at doing it.
Feifei
Yes - but it's used in a humorous and light-hearted way Rob. Sorry, I was trying to be nice.
Rob
OK. Well, I think we'd better hear some examples of this phrase in action while I continue to practice my singing [starts singing again].
Feifei
Oh no!
Examples
I wouldn't give up the day job - you're never going to be an actor!
Do you really want to be a writer? I've read your first book and my advice is 'don't give up the day job'!
Don't give up the day job Pete - you're never going to earn a living as a singer!
Feifei
So 'don't give up the day job' means you should continue doing your normal job, rather than trying to turn your hobby into a career. So Rob, have you got the message?
Rob
Oh yes, I should stick to what I'm good at - so I'll concentrate on doing the day job shall I?
Feifei
Yes, good idea.
Rob
OK, so why we don't we sing together and entertain our listeners [starts singing]?!
Feifei
Oh Rob, perhaps you should give up the day job as well.
Rob
Oh thanks.
Both
Bye!
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