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Learning English Conversations

Learning English Conversations

The English We Speak: Try it on

Sep 8, 2026 · 4 min · 7 segments

Sometimes people lie to try and get away with things. They are just trying It on. Learn how to use 'try it on' with Feifei and Phil. As always, get your free transcript for this episode here…

Sometimes people lie to try and get away with things. They are just trying It on. Learn how to use 'try it on' with Feifei and Phil. As always, get your free transcript for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak\_2026/ep-260907 Also on our website, you can practice your listening and speaking: - The Listening Room https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the\listening\room - The Reading Room https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the\reading\room Sign up to our weekly newsletter! Your favourite presenters write you an email with tips and resources to help you improve your English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

Sometimes people lie to try and get away with things. They are just trying It on. Learn how to use 'try it on' with Feifei and Phil. As always, get your free transcript for this episode here…

Speakers: Feifei FengHostPhil BirdHost

Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Amazon Music Website

Top entities: English×14 BBC×16 Whole Foods Market×5 Apple×3 Amazon Music×3

Show signals: SuitabilitySafeBiasNot politicalPopularityTop Podcasttop 1%Audience≈10.9M followers

The Expression “Try It On”1:38 – 3:55

F

Feifei FengHost

1:38

Are you coming to that meeting later?

P

1:40

Um, no, I'm leaving early.

P

1:43

I'm, uh, going to the airport.

P

1:46

I'm going on holiday, and I need to get there early.

F

Feifei FengHost

1:51

Wait a minute.

F

Feifei FengHost

1:52

You're not going on holiday.

F

Feifei FengHost

1:55

I don't believe you.

F

Feifei FengHost

1:56

You're just trying it on.

F

Feifei FengHost

1:58

That important football match is on this afternoon.

F

Feifei FengHost

2:02

You just want to go and watch that.

P

2:04

Maybe.

P

2:06

Okay, if you promise not to tell anyone else, I'll explain what try it on means here.

F

Feifei FengHost

2:12

Okay, deal.

F

Feifei FengHost

2:14

Everyone knows try it on can be used to talk about clothes, but this is different, isn't it?

P

2:21

Yes, this is about lying.

P

2:24

One meaning of try it on is to try to deceive someone so you don't get in trouble.

P

2:30

If someone lies to get out of work early, then they're trying it on.

F

Feifei FengHost

2:35

Yes, it's an expression that we often use to challenge someone.

F

Feifei FengHost

2:39

This means we often use it in the negative.

F

Feifei FengHost

2:42

I know you're not going to the airport.

F

Feifei FengHost

2:44

Don't try it on.

P

2:46

Let's hear some more people using try it on in this way.

S

Soundbite SpeakerSoundbite Speaker

2:49

[upbeat music] My sister said she's got no money and asked to borrow my credit card to buy some food from the shops, but I saw a massive parcel with her name on it.

S

Soundbite SpeakerSoundbite Speaker

3:00

She's just trying it on.

S

Soundbite SpeakerSoundbite Speaker

3:02

So the waiter in the restaurant I went to last night didn't bring me back any change after I paid.

EnglishEntitySpoken language
93%14 mentions
BBCCompanyBroadcasting company
79%16 mentions
Whole Foods MarketCompanySupermarket chain
64%5 mentions
AppleCompanyTechnology company
50%3 mentions
Amazon MusicSoftware Application
36%3 mentions
In Our TimeBroadcast Service
21%1 mention
United KingdomCountryCountry in Europe
7%1 mention

Society
DeceptionLanguage > Expressions > Idioms
Try It OnLanguage > Expressions > Idioms > Deception
Testing LimitsFamily > Parenting > Teenagers > Behavior
IdiomsSociety > Communication > Language Use
Cultural ExpressionsSociety > Communication > Language Use > Idioms
LanguageEntertainment > Media > Conversation
ExpressionsEntertainment > Media > Conversation > Language
Usage ExamplesEducation > Language Learning > Idioms > Cultural Context
Language
MediaEntertainment
Language LearningEducation
TeenagersFamily > Parenting
CommunicationSociety
ExpressionsLanguage
ConversationEntertainment > Media
BehaviorFamily > Parenting > Teenagers
IdiomsLanguage > Expressions
IdiomsEducation > Language Learning
Cultural ContextEducation > Language Learning > Idioms
Language UseSociety > Communication
Education
Entertainment
Family
ParentingFamily

The Expression “Try It On”1:38 – 3:55

F

Feifei FengHost

1:38

Are you coming to that meeting later?

P

1:40

Um, no, I'm leaving early.

P

1:43

I'm, uh, going to the airport.

P

1:46

I'm going on holiday, and I need to get there early.

F

Feifei FengHost

1:51

Wait a minute.

F

Feifei FengHost

1:52

You're not going on holiday.

F

Feifei FengHost

1:55

I don't believe you.

F

Feifei FengHost

1:56

You're just trying it on.

F

Feifei FengHost

1:58

That important football match is on this afternoon.

F

Feifei FengHost

2:02

You just want to go and watch that.

P

2:04

Maybe.

P

2:06

Okay, if you promise not to tell anyone else, I'll explain what try it on means here.

F

Feifei FengHost

2:12

Okay, deal.

F

Feifei FengHost

2:14

Everyone knows try it on can be used to talk about clothes, but this is different, isn't it?

P

2:21

Yes, this is about lying.

P

2:24

One meaning of try it on is to try to deceive someone so you don't get in trouble.

P

2:30

If someone lies to get out of work early, then they're trying it on.

F

Feifei FengHost

2:35

Yes, it's an expression that we often use to challenge someone.

F

Feifei FengHost

2:39

This means we often use it in the negative.

F

Feifei FengHost

2:42

I know you're not going to the airport.

F

Feifei FengHost

2:44

Don't try it on.

P

2:46

Let's hear some more people using try it on in this way.

S

Soundbite SpeakerSoundbite Speaker

2:49

[upbeat music] My sister said she's got no money and asked to borrow my credit card to buy some food from the shops, but I saw a massive parcel with her name on it.

S

Soundbite SpeakerSoundbite Speaker

3:00

She's just trying it on.

S

Soundbite SpeakerSoundbite Speaker

3:02

So the waiter in the restaurant I went to last night didn't bring me back any change after I paid.

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