Summary 

Rob's off to a New Year's Eve party which is going to be interesting – there's going to be fireworks but not the kind he was expecting. Luckily Feifei is on hand to explain that this explosive word has more than one meaning. Find out more about it in this programme.

Transcript

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. You are Rob…

Rob
And you are Feifei. Hello!

Feifei
So, another year over, Rob.

Rob
Yes and what a year it's been – and there's just one more thing to do before the next year begins. Party!

Feifei
Yes, New Year means party season – so are you going to a party, Rob?

Rob
Yeah, Richard's invited me to his New Year bash at his house. Everyone's going – apart from you of course. And I've even invited Zhong.

Feifei
Oh dear.

Rob
Why do you say that?

Feifei
Well, if she goes, there will be fireworks.

Rob
Fireworks! Great!

Feifei
Not great, Rob. When we say there will be 'fireworks' we don't always mean the colourful exploding things we see in the sky. Sometimes 'fireworks' describes a lot of angry shouting. So if Zhong turned up at the party, there's bound to be some shouting and arguing.

Here are some more examples of fireworks…

Examples
The fireworks started when I told her what I really thought about her boyfriend!

Argh! I'm going to be late again. The boss is going to be furious when I get to work. There's going to be fireworks!

There's a public meeting about the new building plans tonight – and there's bound to be fireworks!

Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. And I'm with Rob, who's off to a party where there might be fireworks… that's a lot of angry shouting. Enjoy the party, Rob!

Rob
Thanks. So why might there be lots of shouting?

Feifei
Well, Zhong is Richard's ex-girlfriend. Their relationship didn't end well.

Rob
Oh dear. The situation sounds a bit 'explosive'. Maybe it won't be such a happy New Year. Errr, what are your plans, Feifei?

Feifei
Me? Well I'm meeting my good friends by the river in London to watch the real fireworks – they're always amazing.

Rob
So, there'll be no angry shouting?

Feifei
Nope. Just cheering and laughter.

Rob
Sounds great. Maybe I could join you?

Feifei
Errr, go on then as it's New Year's Eve.

Rob
Great – it looks like our New Year celebrations will go with a bang!