Feifei Hello, and welcome to another The English we Speak. He’s Rob…
Rob …and she’s Feifei. So, Feifei, welcome back. How was your holiday?
Feifei Hmm, not bad.
Rob Not bad! Two weeks in the sun, lying on the beach! It sounds perfect to me.
Feifei Unfortunately not. It rained for two weeks solid. It’s the story of my life!
Rob** Story of my life?** That’s a very short story – “it rained”. Are you trying to say it rained all your life?
Feifei Of course not. I mean it always happens. The idiom ‘it’s the story of my life’ can be used to explain that a bad thing that has happened to you has happened many times before – it happens often. So, every time I go on holiday, it rains!
Rob Bad luck! But you’re not the only one who’s had bad luck. Listen to these examples…
Examples I applied for the promotion at work but didn’t get it – again. It’s the story of my life.
I met this lovely guy and thought he was the one – but he didn’t think the same way. It’s the story of my life. I’m never going to find a boyfriend!
It’s the story of my life – I buy myself a new coat and then see it in the sales for half price. Typical!
Feifei This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. I’m explaining that having rain when I’m on holiday is the story of my life, which means it happens all the time. So, Rob, saying ‘it’s the story of my life’ is a negative thing – it means I’m unlucky.
Rob Well, having rain on holiday isn’t so bad – you could stay in bed or sit in the restaurant, eating lots of food.
Feifei If I go to a hot and sunny country, I want sun!
Rob Well, you know the best solution for not having a wet holiday?
Feifei What’s that?
Rob Just stay at home. You could write your life story!
Feifei Oh Rob, listening to your advice is also the story of my life.
Rob Thanks! Bye.
Feifei Bye.