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Hello and welcome to the English We Speak from BBC Learning English.

I'm Fay Fay.

And hello, it's me. Ah

Neil are you okay? I can't stop itching. Oh dear that's very uncomfortable

what's caused that? Well it's probably because I've started gardening. I've planted some flowers and I've started growing my own vegetables.

I'm impressed. It sounds like you've been bitten by the bug. Yes, bugs in the garden. That's what's causing me to itch.

Ah!

Probably, but I wasn't referring to the actual bugs.

When you are bitten by the bug it means you have become very

interested and excited in doing something. We're not actually being bitten by a

bug but in your case Neil it looks like you've been bitten by a bug. But in your case, Neil, it looks like you've been bitten by both types of bugs.

Yep. Can we have some examples, please?

Ballroom dancing is back in fashion and Katerina's been bitten by the bug.

She's bought a sequined dress to wear at her lessons.

Lynn's been bitten by the fit. to wear it her lessons.

Lynn's been bitten by the fitness bug. He spends hours at the gym every day.

I've been bitten by the travel bug.

I'm always looking for new destinations to visit.

You're listening to the English we speak from BBC Learner English. I've been explaining the phrase to be bitten by the bug,

which means to become interested and excited in doing something. So it's great that you've become interested in gardening, Neil.

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