Jiaying Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Jiaying…
Neil ….and I’m Neil.
Jiaying Oh, Neil, you don’t sound too good.
Neil I’m not, but I’ve got to keep going because I’ve been learning Spanish at an evening course, and I’ve got an exam tonight.
Jiaying Oh dear – maybe you shouldn’t do it. I have to admit you don’t look too clever.
Neil Well, that’s not very encouraging – you’re supposed to say ‘good luck, you’ll be great’. I have been studying it for a long time.
Jiaying I was being sympathetic, Neil. ‘Not looking or feeling too clever’ means not looking or feeling very well – you look ill!
Neil Oh, you didn’t mean I am stupid!
Jiaying No – although I am beginning to wonder. I think you should take some medicine and go to bed while we listen to these examples.
Neil Maybe.
Examples I think you should go and see a doctor – you’re not looking too clever.
I’m not feeling too clever today, so I think I’ll take the day off.
She’s not looking clever, so I suggest we send her home.
Jiaying This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we’re hearing about the expression ‘not looking or not feeling too clever’. It’s an informal way of describing not looking or feeling ill. And Neil, as I said, you don’t look clever….
Neil Actually, I don’t really feel clever – or smart - either.
Jiaying I get it – is this an excuse not to do your Spanish exam?
Neil Ha ha – you’re not stupid! Yes, I think the stress of doing this exam has made me ill.
Jiaying Oh dear. Why don’t you go and revise now, then you’ll feel clever and look clever as well.
Neil Maybe. See you later.
Jiaying Bye. Good luck!
Neil Gracias!