To play a blinder

Rob Welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Rob, and I’m live here with the hero of the day, Feifei.

Feifei Thanks Rob. Hello everyone.

Rob Now, let’s talk about that fantastic performance. BBC Learning English FC were two goals down, and then you came along and scored three times in the last ten minutes. How do you feel?

Feifei Well, it was really all down to the team. I was just the right person in the right place today.

Rob A very modest answer, but the crowd are going wild about you. Just listen… It’s fair to say Feifei, you played a blinder!

Feifei Just doing my job. Though, as a proud BBC Learning English FC player, there is one thing I would like to say to the audience.

Rob Of course, go ahead.

Feifei I’d like to explain that phrase you used - ‘to play a blinder’. ‘To play a blinder’ is a phrase used to describe an amazing display of skill, usually in sports, but also in other areas in life.

Rob Yes, not only did you play a blinder in the football game today, Feifei, you played a blinder with that definition! Listen to the crowd…

Feifei I’d like to add a little more, Rob. Why do we use the word ‘blinder’? Well, imagine you’re watching a dazzling performance - something so good it seems to shine brightly. The idea is that it’s so shiny, so dazzling, it could cause someone watching to go blind.

Rob Like looking at the sun. Thankfully, it’s just an expression. If you’re watching or listening to this show, we’re sure your eyesight won’t be affected! Let’s have some more examples.

Examples Theresa played a blinder today in the final. What a simply amazing performance on the tennis court.

Did you see Mexico beating Germany in the World Cup? Mexican forward Hirving Lozano played an absolute blinder!

Darren, what an awesome presentation! You played a blinder. I’m pretty sure we’ve just won some new clients.

Rob You are listening to the English We Speak from BBC Learning English. Please notice that in the last example, we weren’t talking about sport. You can also play a blinder in a work or business context, or anything that involves skill and performance.

Feifei Well, Rob, I think we’ve both played a blinder today.

Rob Thank you, thank you. Which reminds me… Hang on a second… let’s bring back the cheering crowd!

Feifei I love it. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have people cheering us just like that in real life?

Rob And wouldn’t it be fantastic if, in real life, you were actually good at football!

Feifei Hey, come on! We both know I played a blinder - at least in the programme!

Rob OK.

Both Bye.