In this programme, Neil demonstrates talking nonsense and wears a silly hat – is this another comic moment for explaining an authentic English phrase? Probably!
Jiaying
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. I’m Jiaying…
Neil
And I’m Neil.
Jiaying
Thanks for wearing a hat today, Neil. It will be great for demonstrating our piece of authentic English today!
Neil
Well, wearing a hat is very useful – it makes you taller and smarter. The bigger the hat, the bigger the brains – apparently.
Jiaying
Excellent – you have demonstrated our phrase very well.
Neil
Remind me what it is.
Jiaying
To talk through your hat – it means to talk a lot about something you don’t really understand. I could say, you’re just talking rubbish!
Neil
Maybe I should just wear a different hat?
Jiaying
No, Neil. Just listen to these examples and you’ll understand!
Examples
I don’t believe Roy’s story about climbing Mount Everest – he’s talking through his hat!
The weatherman’s promise of a heatwave didn’t come true – I think he was talking through his hat.
You’re talking through your hat when you say our exams have been postponed.
Jiaying
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. Our phrase today is ‘to talk through your hat’, which means to talk a lot about something you don’t really understand. And, Neil, you’ve been talking through your hat!
Neil
OK, but I’m sure wearing a hat is good for you.
Jiaying
I know a hat keeps your head warm.
Neil
Ah yes, that’s it. They’re also good for keeping your biscuits – but keep that under your hat!
Jiaying
Very good, Neil. ‘To keep something under your hat’ means to keep something a secret. Well, your secret is out now, but let’s go before you talk any more rubbish about hats!
Neil
OK. Bye.
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