FeifeiMorning Neil. In a rush today, were you?
NeilJust a bit, Feifei. You know, kids, breakfast, commute. The usual. Why?
FeifeiWell – I noticed your shirt isn’t ironed.
NeilVery attentive of you.
FeifeiAnd your shirt has – ketchup on it?
NeilOops, yes – beans for breakfast.
FeifeiAnd you haven’t shaved, have you?
NeilWell, no. Erm…
FeifeiYou really do need to make more of an effort.
NeilFeifei, why are you having a go at me?
FeifeiRelax, Neil. I’m just giving you the opportunity to use the phrase we are teaching, which is: ‘have a go’!
NeilWell that’s a relief.
Feifei‘To have a go at someone’, as we’ve just seen, means to criticise someone.
NeilThat’s right. Here are some examples.
ExamplesThe boss really had a go at Michaela after she offended our clients.
Susie had a go at her husband last night. He’d forgotten all about her birthday.
Why do you always have a go at me? Why can’t you say something nice?
FeifeiThat’s our phrase. ‘To have a go at someone’ - which means to criticise someone.
NeilThere. Can we be nice to each other now?
FeifeiWell, we can have a go!
NeilAh, very clever. ‘To have a go’ has another meaning – ’to try’.
FeifeiYes – if you have a go at something, you try it.
NeilWhy don’t you have a go at making an example sentence, Feifei?
FeifeiOk then. I’m going to have a go at cooking a Thai curry from scratch.
NeilTasty. ‘To have a go’ meaning ’to try’. And one last thing, Feifei. Do I really look scruffy?
FeifeiNot at all. Though you could shave once in a while.
NeilI’ll have a go. Just for you Feifei.
Feifei + NeilBye.