Summary
Neil has bought Feifei a present! She loves her new teapot, but something she says causes confusion! Learn more about 'the gift that keeps on giving'!
Transcript
Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei…
Neil
…and I’m Neil.
Feifei
Neil, I just want to say thanks for my present – it was exactly what I needed.
Neil
Well, I know you love tea, and I heard that you smashed your favourite teapot – so, what better present than a BBC Learning English teapot?
Feifei
Exactly, a teapot is the gift that keeps on giving!
Neil
What?! Keep on giving gifts? I’m sorry, Feifei, I can only afford one gift for you this year! I can’t keep giving you gifts. How rich do you think I am?
Feifei
No. I said, ‘the gift that keeps on giving’. We use the expression ‘the gift that keeps on giving’ to talk about a thing or situation which has benefits that are repeated over a long period of time. So, in the case of the teapot, it’s something really useful that I can keep on using!
Neil
Ah, that makes sense. And it’s not just for presents, right? For example, that silly video of Roy singing always makes me laugh. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Feifei
What silly video? We can talk more about this video while we listen to these examples.
Examples
That subscription to the video-streaming site you gave me is the gift that keeps on giving.
That marketing campaign went viral, and people are still watching the video ten years later. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
My investment in shares is the gift that keeps on giving. I get dividends every month.
Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. We’re learning about the expression ‘the gift that keeps on giving’, which means a present or situation which has benefits that are repeated over a long period of time. I’ve just watched that video of Roy singing. It’s hilarious!
Neil
I know. It makes me laugh every time I watch it.
Feifei
It really is the gift that keeps on giving! I didn’t know Roy could reach such high notes!
Neil
I particularly loved when the dog started howling with him!
Feifei
I think I’m going to watch it again while I have a nice cup of tea made in that teapot you gave me! Would you like a cup of tea?
Neil
Yes, please! Tea is always a good idea!
Feifei
Bye, Neil!
Neil
Bye!