Feifei Hello, this is The English We Speak and I’m Feifei.
NeilAnd hello, I’m Neil.
FeifeiHey great news, Neil!
Neil Oh yes, what’s that?
FeifeiI got a promotion.
NeilOh well done. Congratulations and all that.
Feifei Come on, Neil – you were never going to get one. And anyway, it’s not all good news.
NeilA promotion – a pay rise, more power – how is that not all good news?
FeifeiWell, it means longer hours, harder work, having to work with you more. I expect you have some English expression to describe that!
NeilI do, Feifei. You have to take the rough with the smooth. It means you have to accept the bad or unpleasant things in a situation as well as the good things. In other words, you can’t have everything.
FeifeiThanks for the sympathy, Neil.
Neil Here are some good things though, Feifei: examples!
ExamplesA: I’m going to use my qualification to get a really good job, but I’ve lots of studying to do before I get it.
B: Well you have to take the rough with the smooth but good luck!
Having kids is very fulfilling but it can be challenging too, especially the lack of sleep – but I guess I have to take the rough with the smooth!
FeifeiThis is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we’re learning about the phrase ’to take the rough with the smooth’ which means you have to accept the bad things in a situation as well as the good things.
Neil So poor you, Feifei – you’ve got a great news promotion but you’re going to have to work longer. So fewer lunches with me, less time at the pub…
Feifei The expression for that would be ’to take the smooth with the smooth’. But do you know what – this programme is a good example of taking the rough with the smooth.
NeilSo you mean there are some good things and some bad things? Hmm, so what are they?
FeifeiWell, the rough things are presenting with you…
NeilAnd the smooth things?
FeifeiThe smooth things – the good things – are it’s a short programme and it’s nearly over. It’s time to go, Neil.
NeilThank goodness. Enjoy your promotion then – hope it goes smoothly
FeifeiIt will! Bye.
NeilBye.