The English We Speak: Gatekeep
Learning English Conversations
BBC
4.6 • 1.2K Ratings
🗓️ 26 May 2026
⏱️ 3 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Gatekeep is a verb which means to withhold information. It can be used to talk about fandoms or products. Learn how with Feifei and Georgie.
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Transcript
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| 0:22.6 | speaking anxiety. Search programs by skill on our website, BBC learningenglish.com. |
| 0:30.0 | Hello and welcome to the English We Speak, where we're explaining words and expressions |
| 0:34.9 | used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I'm |
| 0:39.5 | Faye Faye and I'm joined by Georgie. How are you? I'm very well, thank you Faye Faye. And your hair is |
| 0:46.5 | looking incredibly shiny today. Have you been using a new product or something? Well, thank you |
| 0:51.9 | Georgie. Yes, I have. But that secret stays with me. What? Come on, Faye, don't gatekeep. Okay, fine. I've been putting coconut oil on it. Apparently, it helps to moisturise. Oh, wow. I've never heard of that. Maybe I'll try it tonight. So, Faye, what are we learning in this program? |
| 1:11.3 | You just used an interesting word, gate keep. So let's learn that. Great. Well, gatekeep is a |
| 1:18.4 | verb, which means you control access to something. Now, it comes from the idea of a closed gate |
| 1:23.9 | blocking access, but it's used mostly in a metaphorical sense. It means you deliberately |
| 1:29.0 | stop someone from understanding something or joining in. Yes, so when I wouldn't tell you what I |
| 1:35.2 | used on my hair, I was gatekeeping the secret. This word is often used on the internet. It is. For example, |
| 1:42.5 | I've seen lots of beauty influences using it. |
| 1:45.5 | They'll say things like, I've been using this amazing cream that makes my skin so soft. |
| 1:50.8 | And don't worry, I don't gatekeep. And then they'll reveal the product. |
| 1:55.1 | Gatekeeping is seen as quite negative. It's often used to keep others out of a community or fandom. Let's listen to some |
| 2:03.6 | examples. My friend wouldn't let my other friends play a board game with lots of rules because they're |
... |
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