Giant killer

Feifei
This is The English We Speak. I’m Feifei.

Rob
And hello, I ‘m Rob. Hey, Feifei. Did you see the match last night?

Feifei
The match? No, Rob. I had better things to do!

Rob
Oh, you should have done. My local team beat Manchester United 3-0! It was a giant-killing!

Feifei
Well I’m glad I didn’t watch it - who wants to see giants being killed?

Rob
Feifei, nobody was killed and there were no real giants. The giant is the team that is usually stronger, more powerful or skilful than the other team - and the killing happens when the weaker or less skilful team beats them. And that’s what happened last night. It was brilliant!

Feifei
I see. So a giant-killing describes a situation when a weaker or less skilful person or team beats a stronger or more skilful opponent.

Rob
Yep. And we call the winning team ‘giant killers’ - so my team can be called ‘giant killers’!

Feifei
So is this phrase used for sporting competitions?

Rob
Yes it is. It’s not just used in football - although the giant-killing in the game last night was amazing! I mean, did I mention the score was 3-0?

Feifei
OK calm down, Rob. Let’s hear some other examples of the phrase ‘giant-killing’ …

Examples
We’re celebrating our village cricket team’s giant-killing over a professional county team!

There was a giant-killing at the tennis match today - a brand new player beat the third- seeded player in straight sets!

The non-league team have become giant killers in the FA Cup - they could go all the way to the final.

Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we’re hearing about the sporting expression ‘giant-killing’ - that’s when a strong or skilful player or team is beaten by a less strong opponent. The winners are called ‘giant killers’. So a giant-killing is quite an achievement?

Rob
It sure is. It’s unexpected but it’s great when it happens.

Feifei
I understand, Rob - it comes as a surprise because you’re so used to losing!

Rob
Never mind, Feifei. If you’re not a football fan, you’ll never understand.

Feifei
Hmm, I suppose this programme is a bit like a giant killing.

Rob
Why’s that then?

Feifei
The weaker, less skilful presenter beats the stronger, more skilful presenter by getting more lines to stay in the script.

Rob
Errr, I don’t think so, Feifei. You always have more to say.

Feifei
That’s true. Now, isn’t it your turn to make the tea?

Rob
OK, if you say so. See you later.

Feifei
Ha! 1-0 to me. Bye.