A walk in the park: The English We Speak - YouTube

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...

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.