Introduction
An expression to say something is disappointing. Learn how to use it here.
Transcript
Beth
Welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Beth.
Feifei
And I’m Feifei.
Beth
We have a word used when something is a disappointment. It’s the noun ‘blow’ in ‘a blow’.
Feifei
‘a blow’. Can you give us some context, Beth?
Beth
Well, I’ve been trying to buy a new car. I saw one I really liked, and I was just about to buy it, but I’ve just found out that it sold yesterday. It’s a bit of a blow.
Feifei
It does sound like a blow. How disappointing. A similar thing happened to me when I was looking for a flat. I made an offer, but someone made a higher offer, so I missed out.
Beth
What a blow! This word is especially used when something hasn’t gone the way you imagined and has ruined your plans.
Feifei
And it’s often used when something is delayed, cancelled or fails. Did you find your phone by the way? I heard you lost it.
Beth
No. So, I’ve lost all my pictures and contacts. It’s a blow. Let’s hear some more examples.
Examples
We didn’t get the funding so the project can’t go ahead. It’s a blow.
It was a bit of a blow when they found out the festival was cancelled.
We’d made a lunch reservation for 1pm so it was a blow when the train was delayed until 1.30.
Feifei
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we are learning the word ‘blow’ in ‘a blow’, which is a way of saying something has happened that is disappointing.
Beth
‘Blow’ can also be used as a verb in the phrase ‘it blows’ to express something annoying, though this isn’t as common. For example, it blows that I didn’t get the car I wanted.
Feifei
Definitely. By the way, Neil is selling a car. Did you know?
Beth
Yes. It’s a nice one, but far too expensive for me!
Feifei
Another blow. Oh well. Good luck finding one. See you next time!
Beth
Bye.