68.-No great shakes.

No great shakes

 

 

Rob’s not impressed with a new cafe that’s opened near the office. Feifei thinks he’s just not happy with the quality of the milkshakes but as you’ll hear, there’s something else about the place he’s not happy with. Learn a great new expression in The English We Speak.

Transcript

Rob
Hello, I’m Rob…

Feifei
… and I’m Feifei and this is The English We Speak.

Rob
Now Feifei, did you try out that new cafe on the way to work today?

Feifei
Yes, I did – I was really impressed – the new cafe has a great range of food and friendly staff. So have you tried it Rob?

Rob
Yeah, I’ve been there twice now – but, well, it’s no great shakes.

Feifei
No great shakes?! That’s the best thing about it, they sell amazing banana milkshakes… mmmm

Rob
No, no, no. I wasn’t talking about the shakes – I was referring to the cafe generally – there’s nowhere to sit, the queues are long, and they didn’t put enough froth on my skinny cappuccino – so it’s no great shakes – in other words, it’s not very good.

Feifei
Oh so no great shakes is an expression that means it’s not very good. So you’re not impressed?

Rob
I’m afraid not. And no great shakes also means ‘ordinary’ which describes this cafe. Let’s hear some more examples of this phrase in action…

Examples

My sister puts on a good dinner party but she’s no great shakes when it comes to cooking!

That new singer has a great voice but he’s no great shakes at playing the guitar.

The film sequel is no great shakes compared with the first one – there was no story and the special effects were awful!

Feifei
So that’s the expression no great shakes which means not very good or not very impressive. But Rob, maybe if you did try the banana milkshake it might change your opinion about the cafe? Look, I’ve got one here…

Rob
Mmmm, thanks, yeah… It’s not bad, actually. This is a great shake. OK, well, perhaps I’ll give it a second chance…

Feifei
Where are you going?

Rob
To buy a milkshake!

Feifei
You do know they cost four pounds?

Rob
What? Four pounds! Yes well, as I was saying, that cafe really is no great shakes.

Feifei
If you say so Rob. Bye.

Rob
Bye.