Something has put Finn in a good mood but what has that got to do with spring when it is still winter? Rob explains a seasonal idiom to Feifei that compares the feeling of spring with someone’s mood – but how long will Finn have this feeling for? Listen to the programme to find out.
Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak – I’m Feifei…
Rob
And hello, I’m Rob.
Feifei
Hey Rob, have you seen Finn today?
Rob
Yes, I saw him just a few moments ago… same old Finn.
Feifei
But when I saw him he was very cheerful… smiling and he was singing too!
Rob
Nothing wrong with singing at work.
Feifei
I know… but he just seems…
Rob
Full of the joys of spring?
Feifei
Full of the joys of spring? Erm, I don’t think so – it’s winter Rob – cold and wet.
Rob
No Feifei! The season might be winter but Finn’s behaviour, or his mood, is cheerful and lively – like springtime – you know, bright, sunny, flowers growing, new animals being born, birds flying around…
Feifei
Mmm… that does sound like spring. It’s a nice phrase. It means someone is happy?
Rob
Happy – that’s right. Shall we hear some more examples?
Examples
Emily’s full of the joys of spring today – her boyfriend has just asked her to marry him!
Raj seems full of the joys of spring today – he must have some good news about his exam results.
I’m full of the joys of spring today – I’ve just won £1,000 in the lottery – now, what shall I spend it on?
Feifei
So if someone is full of the joys of spring they are in a good mood. So Rob, why is Finn in such a good mood?
Rob
He’s happy because he’s going on holiday tomorrow – swapping our cold winter for two weeks in the sun, on the beach in Thailand!
Feifei
Lucky Finn! But hold on Rob… there’s a strike at the airport tomorrow. All flights are cancelled. Does he know that?
Rob
I don’t think so. Shall we tell him?
Feifei
I don’t know. That will make him ’empty of the joys of spring’…
Rob
…and full of the misery of winter!
Feifei
Is that another idiom?
Rob
No, I just made that one up. Come on, I’ll go and tell him.
Feifei
Bye.
Rob
Bye.
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