Jiaying Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me, Jiaying…
Roy …and me, Roy. Hey Jiaying, it’s a beautiful day outside.
Jiaying It is – blue sky and sunshine today – wonderful! But why are you telling me this, Roy?
Roy Well, once we’ve finished the programme, would you like to go for a run in the park?
Jiaying I’m not sure! I don’t want to run when I’m so hungry!
Roy Well, how about we invite some friends and go for a picnic instead?
Jiaying Now you’re talking!
Roy Oh, didn’t you hear what I said? I said how about a picnic in the park and…
Jiaying Yes, yes, I heard you loud and clear – I just mean I like what you are saying!
For once, you are saying something I want to hear! When we say to someone ‘now you’re talking’, it’s an informal way of saying I really like or approve of your idea or suggestion, sometimes because it is better than their initial idea. So, Roy, going for a picnic is a great idea!
Roy Good, but we can’t go yet. We’ve got some examples of this phrase to listen to…
Examples
You’d buy the car if I gave you an extra ten per cent discount! Now you’re talking!
You want to go to the beach? Now you’re talking!
My boss has agreed to increase his initial pay offer. Now he’s talking!
Jiaying This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we’re talking about the expression ‘now you’re talking’, which is used to express you like or approve of someone’s idea or suggestion, often because it’s better than their initial idea.
So, who shall we invite to this picnic, Roy? Sam?
Roy No, she’s busy.
Jiaying Neil?
Roy No, he doesn’t like eating outdoors.
Jiaying Oh, how about Rob?
Roy Nope – he’ll eat too many of the biscuits.
Jiaying [raining outside] Oh no! … look, it’s started raining!
Roy Oh – the picnic is ruined!
Jiaying I know - why don’t we arrange to meet everyone at the cafe instead?
Roy Now you’re talking! I’ll go and make some calls. Bye.
Jiaying Bye, see you later.