Summary
According to Chinese tradition, 2020 is the 'Year of the Rat'. Rob has decided to dedicate his life to work, chasing promotions and pay rises at the expense of his free time. Learn a rat-related expression which describes this lifestyle, and find out why Rob’s glued whiskers to his cheeks in The English We Speak.
Transcript
Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me, Feifei…
Rob
…and me, Rob.
Feifei
So, Rob, I have a very simple question for you.
Rob
Yep?
Feifei
Why have you got enormous whiskers glued to the side of your face, and why are you wearing a running vest?
Rob
Well Feifei, it’s a new year – and according to our Chinese friends, it’s the 'Year of the Rat'. New Year, new resolutions – so I’ve decided to join the rat race!
Feifei
You’ve decided to join the rat race? You mean to get really competitive at work and concentrate on promotions and pay rises at the expense of your free time?
Rob
That’s right.
Feifei
But why?
Rob
Money!
Feifei
Right, well let’s hear some examples of this expression before a little more explanation.
Examples
I’m going to quit the rat race. I earn all this money but I never have enough time to spend it! It’s just work, work, work!
People complain about the rat race, but if you earn enough, you can retire at 50!
Nieves decided to quit the rat race after she had a serious health scare. She realised that the money wasn’t worth the stress.
Feifei
You're listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. In this programme, we're looking at the expression 'rat race'. It’s used to describe a way of life in which people work very hard for a lot of money.
Rob
But there’s no free time and it’s very, very competitive. You heard in the examples, we often hear the word ‘quit’ used with ‘rat race’. Quit the rat race.
Feifei
But you, Rob, have decided to join it. You do know that you don’t have to look like a rat to join the rat race? And you certainly don’t have to wear a racing vest.
Rob
Just trying to make things clear for our audience, Feifei!
Feifei
I do quite like those whiskers, though.
Rob
(Squeaks)
Feifei
Bye!
Rob
Bye bye!