The English We Speak: A bit of a stretch
Learning English Conversations
BBC
4.6 ⢠1.2K Ratings
đď¸ 24 March 2026
âąď¸ 2 minutes
đď¸ Recording | iTunes | RSS
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Summary
Sometimes we say things that aren't 100% true. They're not complete lies, but they are a bit of a stretch. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.
As always, find a free transcript here: âď¸ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260323
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, podcasts. |
| 0:05.7 | Hello and welcome to the English We Speak, where we're explained phrases and expressions |
| 0:11.3 | used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I'm Faye Faye. And I'm Phil. |
| 0:18.4 | Faye, I found out something really cool last week. Really? What's that? |
| 0:22.6 | I found out that I went to primary school with a famous comedian. Really? Well, I was aged four in the |
| 0:28.8 | nursery when he was 11 in year six. Ah, so you were like seven years apart in different buildings. |
| 0:42.0 | I think it's a bit of a stretch to say that you went to school with him. |
| 0:44.2 | Okay, well then let's forget my story. |
| 0:48.0 | And we'll just look at that expression, a bit of a stretch. |
| 0:52.5 | Yes, if something is a bit of a stretch, then you are exaggerating. |
| 0:56.9 | It's not completely untrue, but it's not 100% true either. |
| 1:04.3 | For example, you say you wrote a whole presentation when really you just helped someone else do it. |
| 1:10.8 | Another example, you might say you can speak German, when really you just know how to say hello in German. |
| 1:14.4 | Let's hear some other people using a bit of a stretch. |
| 1:23.9 | Neil said he could be a professional guitarist, but to be honest, I've heard him play, and I'd say it's a bit of a stretch. He told me he was an excellent chef, |
| 1:29.0 | but I've tasted his food, |
| 1:30.6 | and I think that's a bit of a stretch. |
| 1:32.4 | People said that building is one of the most beautiful buildings they've ever seen. |
| 1:35.4 | I think that's a bit of a stretch. |
| 1:40.3 | We've been learning the expression |
| 1:42.0 | a bit of a stretch to mean an exaggeration. |
| 1:45.6 | Yes, we can also use stretch as a verb with the same meaning. |
... |
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