When you go on holiday to do the work you do at home, there’s a phrase to describe this. It’s what Neil’s decided to do this year, but as Rob and Feifei realise, his holiday could turn out to be quite relaxing. Find out why and learn this new phrase in The English We Speak.
Rob
Hello, I’m Rob…
Feifei
… and I’m Feifei and this is The English We Speak.
Rob
So it should have been Neil presenting with you today but he’s gone on holiday so you’ve got me instead.
Feifei
Yes I know – Neil’s on holiday for two whole weeks!
Rob
Oh lucky Neil. Two weeks doing nothing – sitting on the beach in the sun, eating ice-cream. Wonderful!
Feifei
Oh Neil won’t be sitting on any beaches. He’s going to help teach English at a school in Spain.
Rob
What! He’s gone to Spain to do the same work he does here – that’s a bit of a busman’s holiday.
Feifei
But his job isn’t driving buses Rob.
Rob
No Feifei – a busman’s holiday is a holiday where you do the same thing you do at work instead of just having a rest.
Feifei
I see. A busman’s holiday is not about going on a bus. It’s a strange choice for Neil isn’t it Rob?
Rob
It is but he’s not the only one – listen to these examples…
Examples
The taxi driver said he was going on a driving holiday around Europe – it sounds like a busman’s holiday to me!
My mini-break turned into a bit of a busman’s holiday when I had to use my plumbing skills to fix a leak in the hotel.
I decided to take a break from playing in the band and go on holiday but it turned into a busman’s holiday when I ended up busking to raise enough money for my plane ticket home.
Feifei
So that’s a busman’s holiday, where you go on holiday to do the same or similar work that you do at home. If I went on holiday, doing my job would be the last thing I’d do.
Rob
Yes me too but think about what Neil actually does in his job….
Feifei
He drinks tea… sits around chatting… goes shopping…
Rob
Exactly – and he’ll be doing the same in Spain.
Feifei
Now that sounds like my kind of busman’s holiday! When can I go?
Rob
Let’s finish the programme first.
Feifei
OK. Bye!
Rob
Bye.
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