English Learning Blog

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(Sound of a whistle blowing)
Yang Li: 球迷们，我们今天的地道英语肯定合你们的胃口。 I’m Yang Li.

Diarmuid: And I’m Diarmuid. Our phrase for the day has its origins in football, but now it’s used much more widely.

Yang Li: 说到足球， 比赛开始的那一瞬间就叫做 kick off.


What time does the match kick off?

Diarmuid: Yes, it can also be used as a verb. For example, today’s game is going to kick off at 3 o’clock, which means it’s going to start at 3pm. Simple.

Yang Li: Simple. So you said the phrase can also be used outside football?

Diarmuid: Yes, it can also be used when talking about other events starting, such as meetings, concerts or parties.

Examples

A: When does the meeting start?

B: We’re going to kick off at 14.30.


C: What’s the plan for tonight?

D: Well I thought we could kick off around eight with some drinks at my place, then go on to a pub.

Yang Li: So are you a football fan, Derm?

Diarmuid: Yes, I like watching it but I’m not much good at playing. I’ve got two left feet.

Yang Li: Really? Derm 说他自己有两只左脚意思就是他手脚协调很差，笨手笨脚的。 Well I like watching it too, as long as the players are cute!


The term 'kick off' can also refer to the start of a meeting or an event
Diarmuid: Hmm, any favourites?

Yang Li: That would be telling!

Diarmuid: Well, I’m sure our listeners will hear this phrase ‘to kick off’ a lot; it really is common in spoken English.

Yang Li: 所以说大家也要竖起耳朵，因为在英语里会经常听到这个词 kick off. 别忘了在我们的网站上大家可以学到更多的地道英语。我们的网址是:

Diarmuid: www.bbcukchina.com

Yang Li: 不过现在不是 kick off 的时候， 我们的节目就要结束了，到了最后时间了，最后吹哨。

Diarmuid: The final whistle.

(Sound of a whistle blowing and the crowd cheering)