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Hello and welcome to the English we speak. I'm dying.

And I'm Neil. You look really busy. Is everything okay? Yes, but I'm having a dinner party for my friends on Saturday, but I'd forgotten my parents were coming to stay this weekend.

Have you considered postponing the dinner?

Hmm, no.

In fact, my parents were more concerned that they would cramp my style.

Your style is giving you cramp.

Ooh, that sounds painful. No Neil I said

cramp my style which is an expression used to mean that someone or something is

stopping you from doing what you want or behaving in a way

that makes you feel free. Ah that makes sense. Your parents were worried they would

stop you having the type of party where you could be yourself. Now I understand.

Well, let's talk more about my party after these examples.

I don't want to cramp your style, but could you wear a shirt and tie to work rather than a t-shirt?

I had to move out of the house share. I didn't feel free there, and my old housemates were cramping my style.

I don't want to go to the party. I'm worried she thinks I'm uncool

and that I'll cramp her style.

You're listening to the English we speak from BBC Learning English,

and we're talking about the expression,

CRAMP my style.

We use this expression to say that someone or something

...