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The English we speak.

From BBC learning English.

com.

It's so nice to be here in the park, Finn. Ah, yes it is, Faye, I love coming here and feeding the ducks.

Being here helps take my mind off things. I had a fight with my mother-in-law yesterday.

Oh, what was it about?

Well, she's always criticizing everything I do.

Last night, it was my cooking.

Oh, well, don't take too much notice of it, Faye Faye. My mother-in-law is the same, but it's just like water off a ducks back to me.

A ducks back? Yes in English the phrase water

offer ducks back means that criticisms or negative things have no effect on you.

They're just like water off a duck's back. We don't let

them upset or affect us. What an unusual expression. Yes it is, but you know it makes sense. Look at those ducks in the water.

Ah, I get it. They have oily feathers and water can't get through them.

It doesn't affect them, so I shouldn't let the criticism affect me and make me upset.

That's right. And the phrase water off a duck's back is what

we're teaching today in the English we speak. Now let's listen to some examples of how it's

used.

Mini.

I won't give up my singing career just because someone said I'm no good.

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