Summary

Neil and Feifei want to find out about Rob’s new job. But he’s saying absolutely nothing about it. Learn how we can express the idea of ‘absolutely nothing’ with the help of a sausage.

Transcript

Neil
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Neil… 

Feifei
…and I'm Feifei. So, Neil, did you hear anything? 

Neil
About what, Feifei? 

Feifei
Rob's new job. He must have told you something? 

Neil
No. He didn't even mention it. 

Feifei
How strange. Not even a little clue? 

Neil
No, not a sausage. 

Feifei
Well, I'm sure we'll find out soon enough. In the meantime – let's explain that wonderful phrase you just used. 

Neil
In this programme we are teaching you the very cute but slightly old-fashioned phrase: not a sausage. 

Feifei
We use it to mean 'nothing at all'. It's generally used for emphasis or to show mild surprise.  

Neil
It's informal and friendly. Let's listen to some examples to get a better sense of how it's used: 

Examples
A: Did you find any good deals?
B: No, not a sausage. 

A: Did the boss say anything about my project?
B: No, sorry, not a sausage. 

A: Are there any sandwiches left?
B: I'm afraid not. Not a sausage. 

Feifei
That last one might have sounded confusing: No sandwiches left? 

Neil
Not a sausage! Yes, confusingly, we were asking about another kind of food – and the answer was still not a sausage. 

Feifei
You know what? All this talk of sausages is making me hungry. 

Neil
Indeed. I'm meeting Rob for lunch – fancy joining?  

Feifei
Great. Hopefully he will finally spill the beans about this mysterious new job. 

Neil
Ooh – to spill the beans – meaning to reveal your secrets. It's often used when you share a secret you didn't mean to share!

Feifei
Another great phrase. So, what do you fancy for lunch? 

Neil
Well, it has to be a full English breakfast. With beans and… sausages!

Feifei
But of course! Bye everyone! 

Neil
Bye.