Feifei Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me, Feifei…
Neil …and me, Neil.
Feifei Neil, you’re looking very pleased with yourself.
Neil Well, I wasn’t going to say anything, but I won some money on the lottery.
Feifei So, are you a millionaire now?
Neil No – I didn’t win a large amount of money, but enough to pay off my bills, buy some new clothes. And finally I can afford to get my old car fixed.
Feifei Great. Congratulations. So now you are sitting pretty?
Neil Pretty? What have my good looks got to do with it?
Feifei I’m not talking about your looks – it’s about your finances. When we say someone is ‘sitting pretty’, we mean they are in a good situation, particularly financially. So, I’m saying you’re in a comfortable position, as far as money goes.
Neil You could say that.
Feifei Well, let’s hear some examples of other people who are ‘sitting pretty’…
Examples After selling our house for a huge profit, we’re now sitting pretty.
The rent on this flat is really cheap, so we’re sitting pretty.
With more wins than any other team, we’re sitting pretty at the top of the league table!
Feifei This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. We’re talking about the phrase ‘sitting pretty’ which describes someone’s favourable situation – it’s often financial. And Neil, you’re sitting pretty after your lottery win. Maybe you could pay me back the ten pounds I lent you?
Neil Of course, Feifei… there you go – ten pounds. I might even buy you a cappuccino if you’d like one – a small one?
Feifei Err, yes, Neil - that would be great. Thanks!
…. Is everything OK?
Neil No. I’ve just got the bill for repairing my car - £1000!
Feifei Oh… well, you did say it was an old car. Never mind, Neil – you win some, you lose some. Shall I buy the coffee?
Neil Yes, please… and I can have that ten pounds back, please?
Feifei Oh dear, Neil – sitting pretty didn’t last long. Better luck next time.
Neil Thanks!