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Feifei is feeling very full and sleepy after a huge meal of soup, dumplings and steak. But Finn is 'full of beans'? What does that phrase mean?
Are you full of beans?
The script for this programme
Finn: Welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Finn.
Feifei: I'm Feifei.
Finn: We've just had a fantastic meal.
Feifei: So full. How much did we eat?
Finn: Well, we started with a big pot of chicken soup, then some lovely Vietnamese fried spring rolls, a plate of gorgeous Polish dumplings, oh, and a huge steak, then half a pizza, some roast potatoes...
Feifei: Ooh, Finn stop…
Finn: …fish pie, ooh and some sushi, that was nice… mmm and ice-cream…
Feifei: Don't mention all that food! I'm so, so full. I'm exhausted. I need to sleep! (yawning)
Finn: Really? I'm full of beans!
Feifei: Beans? That's the one thing we didn't eat!
Finn: Oh yes, we didn't. Yes, well what I meant was – I'm full of energy. Full of beans is an expression meaning full of energy and enthusiasm. Isn't that right Feifei? Feifei? Hello?
Feifei: (snoring)
Finn: Well I think she's fallen asleep. While she rests, I'll play some examples...
- Beatrice worked an 18-hour day yesterday and then went to a rock concert. She must have only had two hours sleep. How come she's so full of beans today?
- I'm not very lively in the mornings, but my children are always full of beans as soon as they wake up!
- I love Martin, he's always full of beans. It's so much fun having him around.
Finn: Feifei?
Feifei: Oh hi. Where am I? What am I doing in the… oh, we're in the studio. I was dreaming about beans.
Finn: I'm not surprised! Tell you what, why don't you just go back to sleep.
Feifei: (snoring)
Finn: (whispering) Ok, well hope you've enjoyed learning a new phrase today and that you're all full of beans! If you are, come and visit our website bbclearningenglish.com. Right, I'm off for a 10 km run. Full of beans, me. Bye!
Feifei: (snoring loudly)
