Summary

Neil is writing a message to someone they like, and Feifei suggests adding emojis to make it sound friendly and natural. But Neil doesn’t feel comfortable using emojis. He needs to up his emoji game. Find out how to use this phrase in our programme!

Transcript

Neil
Welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Neil.

Feifei
And I'm Feifei.

Neil
Actually, Feifei, can you help me with something?

Feifei
Go on.

Neil
There's this girl I like. I want to ask her for coffee. But I don't want to seem too serious or creepy or anything. Just friendly.

Feifei
And you're writing her a message? OK.

Neil
I just can't find the words.

Feifei
Easy. Stick a couple of emojis on there. Much less formal!

Neil
You mean, like, a smiley face?

Feifei
Yeah, but those are so last year.

Neil
Maybe a love heart?

Feifei
Seriously? That's a bit too much. You need to up your emoji game!

Neil
My emoji game… like an emoji of a video game… or a football?

Feifei
No. The phrase 'to raise your game', or 'to up your game', means to improve.

Neil
Yes, it's a good phrase. Feifei, you're not working hard enough, you need to up your game!

Feifei
That's not true… but good use of 'up your game'. The phrase has now developed a bit. We often add what we're trying to improve before the word 'game'.

Neil
Like this:

Examples
I never finish novels. I need to up my reading game.

I badly need to work on my interview game before my big interview next week.

You could do with a bit more exercise, mate. You should raise your running game!

Feifei
Great. Hope those examples help. Any progress with that text message?

Neil
Here goes: "Lucy. Please have a coffee with me tomorrow." And then some coffee emojis.

Feifei
Well, it's direct! But I still think we need to up your emoji game. Actually, and your texting game. Oh, and your dating game… We've got a lot of work to do!

Neil
Oh, ok. Well I already sent the message. Let's hope it works! And she's replied already.

Feifei
No way, what did she say?

Neil
"Neil. I thought you'd never ask! I'd love to have coffee. 3pm?" And then a couple of big smiley emojis.

Feifei
Wow, congratulations. Maybe it's me who needs to up my game.

Neil
Looks like it!

Neil+ Feifei
Bye.