Summary

Feifei thinks Rob's been to the dentist to find today's authentic English phrase – but he's been for a more painful reason! However he does have a phrase that involves teeth but doesn't involve a trip to the dentist. Listen to the programme to find out more.

Transcript 

Feifei
Hello I'm Feifei and this is The English We Speak. With me today is Rob…

Rob
Hello everyone.

Feifei
Rob, are you OK – you look in pain?

Rob
I am – I've just been to the dentist. Ouch.

Feifei
Hmm, not my favourite place – but I guess you had to go to research today's piece of authentic English?

Rob
Excuse me?

Feifei
Well today's expression is 'to cut your teeth' - and dentists look at teeth?

Rob
Sorry Feifei, that's one tooth-related expression that doesn't need a dentist. When you 'cut your teeth' you get your first experience doing something in a particular job.

Feifei
Oh really. So it's like work experience?

Rob
Yes, that's one way of learning a new skill which you might use later in your job. I cut my teeth in radio production by working in local radio….

Feifei
… and you're still cutting your teeth now Rob?!

Rob
Ha ha, let's hear some examples of this phrase shall we?

Examples
Dan cut his teeth on a local newspaper before landing a job on a national daily.

He cut his teeth running the junior football club before becoming a professional referee.

Feifei
So 'to cut your teeth' means to acquire initial practice or experience in a particular job or activity. We could say it's where you get your basic skills.

Rob
Correct – so where do you think you cut your teeth for this job Fefei?

Feifei
I cut my media teeth at university.

Rob
Ouch!

Feifei 
Sorry, what did I say?

Rob
No it's not you – it's this filling I had done – that's why I went to the dentist. He really was rough.

Feifei
Rob, I think you should go home and rest.

Rob
Maybe!

Both
Bye!