162.- `A´game. Profesor.

 

 

Summary

Sometimes people need to be on top form and do their best work. It could be during a meeting, or a conference or even a quiz with your friends. These are just some of times people may need to bring their A game. That’s what Feifei and Roy talk about in The English We Speak.

Transcript

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei. 

Roy
And I’m Roy! I’m so excited! You made me so happy when you messaged me what we’re doing today!

Feifei
What?! We are about to go into one of the most intense and important meetings of our lives. Why are you happy about that? 

Roy
I thought we were playing a selection of classic board games!? I brought my favourite game.

Feifei
Why on earth would you bring a selection of board games to a huge meeting? 

Roy
You told me in your message to bring a game! You were very clear! 

Feifei
No, Roy! I said bring your A game! Not bring a game! Your A game is your best performance – and that’s what we need in this meeting.

Roy
Right, well clearly I have brought my A game – and a great board game that we can play after we are successful in the meeting!

Feifei
Roy, if you manage to convince everyone of my plan, I’ll play your stupid game! Let’s listen to these examples while we have a meeting. 

Examples
Claus brought his A game to the meeting and sealed the deal.

That team won the match easily. They brought their A game.

Erica didn’t bring her A game to the quiz, and we lost by a point. 

Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re talking about the expression ‘A game’. Your A game is your best or highest level of performance.

Roy
Yes, it’s commonly used with the verb ‘bring’ and a possessive pronoun like ‘your’. You’re very lucky that I brought my A game to the meeting – but it really didn’t seem like that a truly vital and important meeting.

Feifei
It was for me. I’m just really happy you managed to convince them that I needed an indoor golf course in the office! And now I believe I owe you something!

Roy
Yes, you promised to play the board game I brought with me today!

Feifei
No, not that – it looks boring, and I don’t want to fall asleep. I was thinking of playing some golf.

Roy
Well, OK. I like golf, I’m not very good at it, so I’ll have to bring my A game if I want to beat you. 

Feifei
You’re not playing – I’ll let you carry my clubs while I play as a reward for your hard work in the meeting. So, don’t worry about bringing your A game. Bye!

Roy
Bye!