Feifei Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei.
Rob And hello I’m Rob.
Feifei You’re looking pleased with yourself, Rob.
Rob I am! I’ve finished all of my work.
Feifei Really. All of it?
Rob Yes. Scripts written, programmes recorded and edited, meetings cancelled – I think I deserve a cup of coffee… or maybe something stronger!
Feifei But it’s only Wednesday and you’ve done all of your work! So what does that mean?
Rob It means it’s all downhill to the weekend.
Feifei All downhill? Oh I get it! When you are going downhill, on a bike for example, it’s easy. So when things are about to get easier, after a difficult or challenging time, we can describe the situation as being ‘all downhill’.
Rob Spot on, Feifei. Once we’ve heard some examples, it’s going to be all downhill until pub time!
Examples Yeah! Our building plans have been approved. It’s all downhill from here on.
Once I’ve completed this final assignment, it’ll be all downhill until I get my qualification.
Feifei This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. And I’m with Rob, who’s done all of his work and says it’s going to be all downhill until the weekend – that is, things are going to be easy. But, Rob, I have a question.
Rob Oh yes?
Feifei The phrase ’to be all downhill’ isn’t always used in a positive situation. Sometimes it is used to describe situations that get worse. Such as…
Example The film’s opening scene was amazing, but it was all downhill after that - there was no story and the acting was appalling!
Rob Feifei are you absolutely sure about this?
Feifei Yes, it’s true – and your week is definitely going to be all downhill.
Rob In a bad way, I suppose?
Feifei Yep. Neil’s just gone off sick and you’ve got to do all his work now.
Rob Crikey! This script for this programme has suddenly gone downhill.
Feifei You had better save that drink for later. See ya.
Rob Bye.