| [00:01.89] |
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Rob. |
| [00:05.42] |
And hello I'm Li. |
| [00:06.97] |
Shh shh Li, quiet please. I need to concentrate, the race is about to finish and I've got a bet on. Yeah yeah. I've won. I've actually won. I'm rich. |
| [00:20.80] |
Well done Rob. So what have you won Rob? |
| [00:22.96] |
Ten pounds. |
| [00:24.46] |
Oh just ten pounds. Ah well, that's quite useful actually. |
| [00:30.35] |
Oh, is it. Why is that? |
| [00:32.55] |
Well, you owe me five pounds and you did say you would buy me a glass of champagne if you won a race. |
| [00:40.18] |
Oh right, did I? So, that will leave me with. 50 pence. Maybe I'm not a winner after all. Honestly! Every time I make some money I have to give it away. |
| [00:53.10] |
Sorry Rob, it's a no-win situation or a lose-lose situation. Rob, you can't gain any money because you'll always lose it on something else. |
| [01:04.49] |
So even though I did win something, I have also lost. So that's a no-win situation is it? |
| [01:11.36] |
I'm afraid it is. A no-win situation is one in which a favourable outcome is impossible. You are bound to lose whatever you do. |
| [01:21.30] |
You can also use this phrase to describe situations that aren't just to do with money, like this. |
| [01:28.20] |
I can get the bus or train to work, either way I'm going to be late. It's a no-win situation. |
| [01:36.40] |
The cafe only served ham or beef sandwiches but as a vegetarian I was in a no-win situation. |
| [01:43.15] |
If she helps in the garden, Mum won't be pleased and if she helps in the kitchen, Dad won't be pleased. She really is in a no-win situation. |
| [01:55.34] |
So a no-win situation is one that is certain to end in failure and disappointment. So Rob I can see you are disappointed because you have spent your winnings on me. |
| [02:08.36] |
Um, I am I'm afraid. It seems impossible to win money just for myself. |
| [02:14.40] |
Actually I also won some money, 50 pounds, so I'll buy you a drink, in fact I'll buy you something to eat too and you don't need to pay me back that five pounds. |
| [02:28.17] |
Really? Li that's very kind of you. So now I'm in a win-win situation. |
| [02:34.80] |
Yes, the opposite of a no-win situation is a win-win situation. This is where there is a favourable outcome for everyone involved. Like this. |
| [02:45.94] |
The house buyer got a good price and the seller was happy to sell quickly so it was a win-win situation. |
| [02:53.70] |
If I get to invest your money in the company and you get to share the profits, it's a win-win situation. |
| [03:01.79] |
So, in a win-win situation everyone is happy. Just like our situation now. So, where are you taking me for dinner Li? |
| [03:10.31] |
Did I say dinner? I was just going to buy you a sandwich. |
| [03:15.32] |
Oh. That's not such a good win-win situation, is it? |
| [03:19.51] |
Maybe I'll buy you some chips too. |
| [03:21.89] |
OK great. Come on then, let's go. Bye bye. |
| [03:25.74] |
Bye bye. |
