Do you know someone who is a little excessive? Maybe it’s the clothes they wear or the things they say? Well, if you want to describe that person, we have an expression you can use.
Jiaying
Welcome to The English We Speak with me, Jiaying…
Roy
… and me, Roy.
Jiaying
Roy! What are you wearing? Is that a tuxedo? Have you got a top hat on
Roy
Well, you said that I should dress smartly for our online meeting!
Jiaying
Yes, but a tie and shirt would have been sufficient. You’re so extra!
Roy
Extra what? Extra-cool? Extra-amazing? All true! Some call me a fashion icon!
Jiaying
Your mum calling you a fashion icon doesn’t count! No, Roy, we say someone is ‘extra’ to mean they are excessive, over the top or too much.
Roy
Wait – so you think this tuxedo is excessive? That I’m a bit extra? I’ll go and change into something more comfortable.
Jiaying
Yes, while you go and change, let’s listen to these examples.
Examples
Aunty Joan is so extra. She keeps asking when we’re going to have a second child.
Lei always sings karaoke and feels the need to say hello to everyone in the club. He’s really extra.
She’s always using such formal language and over-stressing syllables. She’s a bit extra.
Jiaying
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re talking about the expression ‘extra’. If something or someone is ‘extra’, it means that thing or person is a bit excessive or exaggerated.
Roy
Yes! For example, Rob is a bit extra when it comes to his obsession with biscuits.
Jiaying
Exactly – but, Roy, what are you wearing now?!
Roy
Well – I said I’d put something more comfortable on – so I thought I’d put on my famous flamingo outfit! Do you like it?
Jiaying
I do, but you’re so extra!!! You know we have a meeting with our boss, right?
Roy
Yes – our boss has a matching flamingo costume too!
Jiaying
Well in that case – it sounds like it’s going to be OK.
Roy
I’ve also decided I’m going to sing some opera to make the meeting more fun!
Jiaying
That sounds really extra! Bye, Roy.
Roy
Bye.
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