To be all downhill - The English We Speak - YouTube

Feifei: Hello and welcome to The English

We Speak. I'm Feifei.

Rob: And hello I'm Rob.

Feifei: You're looking pleased

with yourself, Rob.

Rob: I am! I've finished all of my work.

Feifei: Really. All of it?

Rob: Yes. Scripts written, programmes

recorded and edited, meetings cancelled -

I think I deserve a cup of coffee -

or maybe something stronger!

Feifei: But it's only Wednesday

and you've done all of your work!

So what does that mean?

Rob: It means it's all downhill

to the weekend.

Feifei: All downhill? Oh I get it! When you

are going downhill, on a bike for example,

it's easy. So when things are about to get

easier, after a difficult or challenging time,

we can describe the situation

as being 'all downhill'.

Rob: Spot on, Feifei. Once we've heard

some examples, it's going

to be all downhill until pub time!

Yeah! Our building plans

have been approved.

It's all downhill from here on.

Once I've completed this final

assignment, it'll be all downhill

until I get my qualification.

Feifei: This is The English We Speak from

BBC Learning English. And I'm with Rob,

who's done all of his work and says

it's going to be all downhill until

the weekend - that is,

things are going to be easy.

But, Rob, I have a question.

Rob: Oh yes?

Feifei: The phrase 'to be all downhill'

isn't always used in a positive situation.

Sometimes it is used to describe

situations that get worse. Such as...

The film's opening scene was amazing,

but it was all downhill after that - there was

no story and the acting was appalling!

Rob: Feifei are you absolutely

sure about this?

Feifei: Yes, it's true - and your week

is definitely going to be all downhill.

Rob: In a bad way, I suppose?

Feifei: Yep. Neil's just gone off sick

and you've got to do all his work now.

Rob: Crikey! This script for this

programme has suddenly gone downhill.

Feifei: You had better

save that drink for later. See ya.

Rob: Bye.