Jiaying Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Jiaying…
Rob … and I’m Rob. We’re going to look at an idiom that’s about the possibility of winning – it’s ‘be in with a shout’.
Jiaying ‘Be in with a shout’. ‘Shout’ – so this is about being loud and making a noise?
Rob Actually, it’s not, Jiaying. ‘To be in with a shout’ means to have a good chance of winning something or succeeding in something. And there’s no need to shout if you want to win!
Jiaying Right, so this informal British idiom is about having the possibility of winning or succeeding. So, my favourite football team is currently in second place. They are in with a shout of winning the league, if they score a few more goals.
Rob But only if there is a realistic chance or probability that they will do it. And this idiom is not just used for sport. It’s for any situation in which winning something is a possibility.
Jiaying OK. So, for example, I’m in with a shout of getting a promotion at work – if the interview goes well.
Rob Good luck with that! Let’s hear some more examples of this idiom, shall we?
Examples According to your teachers, you could be in with a shout of getting top grades in all your exams.
The athlete was in with a shout of winning a gold medal, until he tripped over at the last minute and only came third.
I think we’re in with a shout of raising enough money to build the new children’s playground.
Jiaying This is The English We Speak and we’re looking at the idiom ‘be in with a shout’ which we use when there is the possibility of winning or succeeding in something.
Rob Yes, as I say, it’s when there is a good chance you will win. If it’s unlikely you’re going to achieve something, then we don’t use it. I would like to climb to the top of Mount Everest – but let’s be honest, I’m not in with a shout of doing that!
Jiaying True. But I’ve just bought a lottery ticket so I’m in with a shout of becoming a millionaire.
Rob I don’t think buying one lottery ticket means there’s a good chance of winning millions of pounds – sorry. But hopefully you’re in with a shout of getting a promotion and maybe more money!
Jiaying Wish me luck.
Rob Good luck, Jiaying. Bye for now.
Jiaying Bye.