Not gonna lie

Neil Welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Neil.

Feifei And I’m Feifei.

Neil You’re a pretty polite person, aren’t you, Feifei?

Feifei Well, thanks. I don’t know. I try to be!

Neil That was a very polite answer! But sometimes we want to say things that are very honest, or that others might not want to hear.

Feifei For example, I ask you: “Do I look tired today?”

Neil Well, I could directly say: “Yes, you do look a bit tired.”

Feifei Or you could start with this slang expression: ‘not gonna lie’.

Neil Not gonna lie Feifei, you do look a little tired.

Feifei I know, I need to get to bed earlier! ‘Gonna’ of course, is short for ‘going to’. Using this phrase indicates that you’re choosing to be honest, rather than polite.

Neil It’s not only used for honest criticism; we might also use it before something we’re very proud of, or something we boast about. For example: I love recording these programmes. Though I’m not gonna lie, I’m the best presenter in the team.

Feifei Whoah, that’s enough. I’m sure everyone listening agrees that I’m the best presenter.

Neil Of course you’re a fantastic presenter, Feifei. Just an example!

Feifei Talking of examples, let’s hear a few more.

Examples A: Fancy coming round for dinner tomorrow? B: Absolutely. If you’re making your famous roast? A: Oh yes. Not gonna lie, it’s the best roast in town!

Slow down! You really are a terrible driver Mark, not gonna lie.

Not gonna lie, I absolutely love my job. I feel so happy when I walk through the office door every day.

Neil That last example sounds just like me. Especially as I’m the best presenter.

Feifei OK, OK, that joke is getting old now.

Neil You’re right. OK, one more thing. This phrase ‘not gonna lie’…

Feifei Yes?

Neil Not gonna lie, I think some people use it too much!

Feifei Yes, it’s become a popular phrase on social media. Usually accompanied by a photo of someone on holiday at the beach with a post saying “Not gonna lie, it’s stunning here!”

Neil The kind of post that makes me feel jealous when I’m stuck in the office.

Feifei But I thought you loved your job?!

Neil Oh, I do.

Feifei And yes, you are a very good presenter, Neil.

Neil That makes me feel much better, not gonna lie.

Neil and Feifei Bye.