NeilHello, I’m Neil… but where is Feifei?
Feifei… sorry I’m late! Is it time for The English We Speak?
NeilIt is Feifei – but catch your breath and have a seat. Are you ok? You look a bit of a… mess!
FeifeiMe? A mess! You would be a mess if you had been where I have been.
NeilOK calm down… and what’s that smell?
FeifeiSo you think I smell now! I’ve been to the rubbish dump!
NeilThe rubbish dump?! Why did you go there?
FeifeiBecause I was looking for Rob earlier and someone said he was down in the dumps.
NeilFeifei, that is the last place you will find someone who is down in the dumps. It’s just a saying that describes someone who is unhappy, fed up and sometimes feels there is no hope.
FeifeiOh I get it! Being depressed or unhappy is a miserable feeling – a bit like being at a rubbish dump, actually.
NeilExactly. Let’s hear some examples…
ExamplesDon’t be so down in the dumps, you’re going on holiday tomorrow!
Oh it’s Monday again, no wonder I feel so down in the dumps.
Reshma has been so down in the dumps since her boyfriend left her.
FeifeiSo that’s being ‘down in the dumps’ – feeling unhappy and miserable. So I’ve had a wasted trip – but I wonder why Rob is ‘down in the dumps’?
NeilIt could be because his football team lost… again.
FeifeiNo, he’s used to that happening. It must be something more serious than that.
Neil I know – he’s feeling sad because he’s not presenting this wonderful programme with you – it’s such a great script isn’t it!
FeifeiThere’s only one place for this script Neil – down in the dump!
Neil Ha ha, very funny!
BothBye.