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Hello and welcome to the English We Speak, where we explain expressions used by fluent English speakers

so that you can use them too.

I'm Faye Faye and I'm joined by Georgie. How are you? I'm fine, thank you, but

Fifei, you look quite different today. Is it the hair, the makeup, new skincare routine? I can't

quite put my finger on it. Yes, Georgie. I got a haircut at the weekend. Thanks for noticing.

Ah yes. Well, it looks great. Really suits you. Anyway, I said I can't put my finger on it, and that is the phrase we're looking at in

this program.

Yes, we are.

If you can't put your finger on something, it means you can't identify the cause of something.

So you knew I looked different, but you didn't know why you couldn't put your finger on it.

It can also be used when you can't remember something or someone.

For example, I walked past a man in the street this morning and I knew I recognised him,

but I just couldn't put my finger on where I knew him from.

I'm still thinking about it.

Right. So both meanings are about not being able to record information

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