We Speak. I'm Feifei.

Neil: And I'm Neil.

Feifei: Hey Neil, would you like to try

one of my homemade cookies?

Neil: Well, we shouldn't really eat while

we're presenting but... go on then...

Feifei: I made them last night and I

thought I'd try them out on you! You've got

a sweet tooth so I know you can't resist!

Neil: OK then... Mmmm.

Feifei: Well, what do you think?

Neil: Well, they're... OK. Perhaps not the

best I've ever had.

Feifei: Oh, so you think my cooking

isn't great?

Neil: Let's say it's something to chew on.

Feifei: Right! So you're saying my

homemade cookies are chewy?

Neil: No, I'm not. In fact they're... crunchy.

But when someone says they need to

chew on something, it's an informal way

to say they need to think about it

before making a decision.

Feifei: Well, Neil, I will chew on response

to your insult about my cooking while we

hear some examples...

Our extension plans are great but we

need to chew on it before we give them

the go-ahead.

Hmm, it's very expensive to fly to

Australia for a holiday.

Let's chew on it shall we?

My boyfriend asked me to marry him and

I said I'd chew on it.

He didn't seem that pleased!

Feifei: This is The English We Speak and

Neil has been using the expression

'to chew on something' or

'something to chew on' which

means to think about something before

making a decision. And Neil, I've made

a decision about what to say to you!

Neil: Oh yes?

Feifei: If you don't like my cooking,

I will not be inviting you to

my dinner party tonight.

Neil: Oh Feifei! Ah well, at least

I'll avoid your cooking.

Feifei: I'm not cooking. We're getting

a takeaway curry and lots of wine.

I suppose you could

come... if you pay for the take away?

Neil: Hmm that is something I don't need

to chew on. The answer's 'no' - I'll stay at

home and... bake my own cookies!

See ya.

Feifei: Bye.