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Hello and welcome to the English we speak.

I'm Jaying.

Oh, I'm Neil. Oh, Oh Neil you don't sound too good. I'm not but I've got to keep going because I've been learning Spanish at an evening course and I've got an exam tonight. Oh dear maybe you shouldn't do it. I have

to admit you don't look too clever. Oh well that's not very encouraging you're

supposed to say good luck you'll be great. I have been studying it for a long time.

I was being sympathetic, Neil. Not looking or feeling too clever means not looking or feeling very well. You look ill.

Ah, you didn't mean I'm stupid?

No. Although I'm beginning to wonder, I think you should take some medicine and go to bed while we listen to these examples

Maybe

I think you should go and see a doctor. You're not looking too clever.

I'm not feeling too clever today, so I think I'll take the day off.

She's not looking clever so I suggest we send her home.

This is the English we speak from BBC Learning English and we're hearing about the expression not looking or feeling too clever. It's an informal way of describing looking or feeling ill.

And Neil as I said of

describing looking or feeling ill. And Neil, as I said, you don't look too clever.

Actually, I don't feel too clever or smart either.

I get it. Is this an excuse not to do your Spanish exam? You're not stupid. Yes, I think the stress of doing

this exam has made me ill. Oh dear, why don't you go and revise now? Then you'll feel clever and look clever as well.

Maybe. See you later.

Bye. good luck.

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