A walk in the park

Feifei Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei.

Neil
And I ‘m Neil. Hey thanks for joining me today, Feifei.

Feifei No problem, Neil. I wanted to give you my support for your first run in the park.

Neil Well, this run in the park is only five kilometres.

Feifei I know, but you’re not particularly fit and you haven’t done much training.

Neil Oh don’t worry about that - this will be a walk in the park!

Feifei Err Neil - I hope you’re not thinking of walking around the park - this is a run, a run in the park!

Neil I have no intention of walking - it’s just an expression that means it’s easy to do, especially compared to other activities.

Feifei I’m glad to hear that because it’s just about to start - let’s hope you really do find it easy!

Neil Don’t worry, I will have finished by the time you hear these examples…

Examples
I’ve been studying for so long, this exam should be a walk in the park.

Oh don’t worry about me, I’ve trekked in the Himalayas, this hill will be a walk in the park!

The job at the bank will be a walk in the park - you studied economics at university!

Feifei You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English - and Neil has been using the phrase ‘a walk in the park’ to explain that a run in the park is easy, especially when compared to other activities - like running a full marathon, for example. But where is Neil now?

Neil …here I am. Oh, that was hard.

Feifei So that run wasn’t a walk in the park then? That’s a shame.

Neil Why’s that?

Feifei Well, I thought that if running in the park was too easy, you could train for next year’s London Marathon. It’s over 42 kilometres - that would be no walk in the park.

Neil
Err, could we just park that idea, please?! I’m going to do another activity to keep fit and healthy.

Feifei
Oh yes, what’s that?

Neil
Walking. In the park!

Feifei Good idea. Bye!

Neil
Bye.