Introduction
An expression to change someone’s perspective. Learn it here.
Transcript
Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I’m Feifei, and I’m here with Beth.
Beth
Hi everyone, and hi Feifei. How are you today?
Feifei
I’m OK, but the weather is miserable! Non-stop rain.
Beth
I know. I hate it too. But, on the flip side, we’re inside so we can’t actually get wet, and at least it’s warm!
Feifei
It is. And ‘the flip side’ is the expression we’re learning in this programme. The flip side means the opposite or another side of something, like showing both pros and cons.
Beth
Yes. The flip side is a way of introducing the opposite perspective of something. So, you said it’s raining, but I turned it around and said we’re inside, so at least we’re warm. Think of it like turning something over to reveal the other side, like a coin.
Feifei
So, I could say I spent the whole Sunday cooking this one dish, and the kitchen was a mess, and I was exhausted.
Beth
Oh dear. But on the flip side, at least you tried a new recipe, and you’ve got some good food.
Feifei
Yeah, I suppose.
Beth
Yeah. And I could say that I’ve been working from home a lot recently, and I don’t really like it. I prefer being in the office.
Feifei
And I could say on the flip side, Beth, you don’t have to travel on crowded trains.
Beth
That is very true. Yes. Well, here are some more examples of the expression ‘the flip side’.
Examples
I went for my first long run the other day, and it was so nice to get out in the fresh air. But on the flip side, I ended up with really achy muscles.
Oh, I really don’t like this time of year. It gets dark so early, and it’s so cold. But on the flip side, I’m catching up on loads of TV series I’d missed out on.
I went to a new beach the other day. It was absolutely beautiful. But on the flip side, it was also really crowded.
Beth
In conversation, ‘the flip side’ is very often used to try and cheer someone up, especially if they are complaining. So, Feifei, if I said to you ‘oh, I’ve got so much work to do today’…
Feifei
Then I could say ‘Yes, but on the flip side, we’re going out for drinks later’.
Beth
That’s very true. So, to recap, we’ve learnt ‘the flip side’ which means introducing a contrast to change someone’s perspective on something.
Feifei
And that’s all from us. We’ll be back next time with another useful English phrase. See you then!
Beth
Bye!