Learning English Conversations
Jul 21, 2026 · 2 min · 7 segments
Do you ever get distracted by something fun? A side quest is where you do something that's different to your main task. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil. As always, find a free…
Yeah, good idea.
To explain this one, we have to talk about video games.
In many games, you have a main quest.
That's the main thing that you have to do in the game.
A side quest is not the main thing you have to do.
It's something else you can do that's often short and fun.
Right.
That's in a video game, but in your shopping trip today, your main quest was to buy something for dinner, but then you got distracted by something more fun and went to buy records.
That was your side quest.
Yes, that's right.
We can use side quest to talk about things that you do that aren't the most important thing.
And yes, they're often something that you enjoy doing.
Well, I'm glad you had fun.
Let's hear some other people using side quest.
[upbeat jingle]
We've always wanted to visit Belfast for the scenery, but there were just these beautiful museums that we found on a side quest wandering around the city.
I was on my way to a concert, and I had loads of free time, so I went on a bit of a side quest to a bookshop.
I had loads of things to prepare for a presentation at work, but then I realized the printers were out of ink, so I went on a bit of a side quest to try and get that fixed first.
[upbeat jingle] We've been learning the expression side quest to describe something you do that's less important than your main task.
Yes.
We have quite a few expressions where we use the word side to talk about something less important.
A side dish is something that you eat that goes with the main dish.
A side hustle is a job that you do that's not as important as your main job, and it might give you a side income.
Okay.
Yeah, good idea.
To explain this one, we have to talk about video games.
In many games, you have a main quest.
That's the main thing that you have to do in the game.
A side quest is not the main thing you have to do.
It's something else you can do that's often short and fun.
Right.
That's in a video game, but in your shopping trip today, your main quest was to buy something for dinner, but then you got distracted by something more fun and went to buy records.
That was your side quest.
Yes, that's right.
We can use side quest to talk about things that you do that aren't the most important thing.
And yes, they're often something that you enjoy doing.
Well, I'm glad you had fun.
Let's hear some other people using side quest.
[upbeat jingle]
We've always wanted to visit Belfast for the scenery, but there were just these beautiful museums that we found on a side quest wandering around the city.
I was on my way to a concert, and I had loads of free time, so I went on a bit of a side quest to a bookshop.
I had loads of things to prepare for a presentation at work, but then I realized the printers were out of ink, so I went on a bit of a side quest to try and get that fixed first.
[upbeat jingle] We've been learning the expression side quest to describe something you do that's less important than your main task.
Yes.
We have quite a few expressions where we use the word side to talk about something less important.
A side dish is something that you eat that goes with the main dish.
A side hustle is a job that you do that's not as important as your main job, and it might give you a side income.
Okay.
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