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The English we speak.

From BBC Learning English.

Hello, there. See learning English.

Hello, this is the English we speak. I'm Faye. And hello, I'm Rob.

You're looking a bit angry, Rob.

Yes, I am. I'm really angry. I've just heard some bad news.

Oh no, what's happened?

Well, it's the cafe I go to. They've decided to become a vegan cafe. No more meat! Where am I going to buy my bacon

sandwich from now? That could be worse things to get angry about. Really? I don't think so. I'm going to fight tooth and nail

to get them to change their mind. Ooh that sounds painful. Protesting with your teeth and nails.

Of course not, Faye, when you fight tooth and nail for something,

you use a lot of effort and determination to get something you want.

You can also do it to stop something happening too.

But it's an old phrase Rob.

Yes it's a very old English phrase and basically means to use everything you have available to get the outcome you want.

Even your teeth and nails.

Well, let's hear some examples of people fighting tooth and nail. Tooth and Nail.

We're going to fight Tooth and Nail to stop them building a new motorway going right past our house.

After fighting Tooth and N nail, I finally managed to get the pay rise I felt I deserved.

My football team needs to fight tooth and nail to stay in the top division. They have to win today's match.

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