From pillar to post

Feifei Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei but where is Rob?

Rob
Sorry, Feifei. I didn’t know we were in this studio today.

Feifei
Yes. Studio 62D. It says it on this plan.

Rob
Really? The studios and offices are being refurbished and everything seems a bit chaotic.

Feifei
As long as we follow the plan we will be OK. Calm down, Rob. Are things really that bad?

Rob
Yes! First I sat at my desk and was told to move to another one. And then when I sat at another desk, I was told the boss was sitting there …

Feifei
…so you had to move on.

Rob
Well, of course! And then when I went to the studio, somebody was in there, reading the news! So I was told to find another studio …

Feifei
Yes, yes, I get it, Rob. You could say you were moved from pillar to post.

Rob
Exactly. You mean, going from one place to another in a disorganised and chaotic way?

Feifei
I do. Let’s hear some examples of this phrase in action …

Examples We got moved from pillar to post on our tour so we started to complain - it’s not what was promised in the holiday brochure!

As a child, both my parents worked, so I got dragged from pillar to post trying to find someone to look after me.

I was passed from pillar to post when I phoned the bank to try and pay my credit card bill.

Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and I’m with Rob, who’s been moved from pillar to post. That means moving from one place to another in a disorganised and chaotic way. But, Rob, things don’t have to be chaotic.

Rob
Why’s that?

Feifei
If you just follow the temporary plan. It tells you where to sit and which studio to use.

Rob
OK. Let’s have a look. Right - so we’re meant to be in this studio - 62D.

Feifei
Yes! And where is your desk?

Rob
Err, oh no, my desk is right behind a pillar! Nobody will be able to see me now. I’ll have nobody to talk to.

Feifei Oh, I think this office refurbishment is going to be really good!

Rob
Thanks. Are we at the end of the programme now?

Feifei
Yes. Bye.

Rob
Bye bye.