Leaves a bad taste in your mouth: The English We Speak

Feifei: Hello and welcome to The English
We Speak. I’m Feifei.
Neil: And I’m hungry – I mean Neil. Feifei,
why did you book this studio
recording session at midday? I’m
starving. Do you fancy going for lunch?
I’ve heard that new chicken restaurant
just down the road is excellent!
Feifei: Not sure about that.
Neil: Oh, have you been there before?
Feifei: Yes, and it left a bad taste
in my mouth.
Neil: Oh really? So the food’s bad?
Everyone says it’s great!
Feifei: Well, the food was great…
Neil: Eh? The food was great but it left
a bad taste in your mouth?
I don’t understand!
Feifei: Let me explain. If something leaves
a bad taste in your mouth, it means you’ve
had a bad experience and
the memory is unpleasant.
Neil: Oh I see. So, what went wrong?
Feifei: The bill was twice as much as
it should have been!
Neil: Ah I get it now – we use
the expression it ‘leaves a bad taste in
your mouth’ when we have a negative
experience and feel bad or angry about it
afterwards – like being
ripped off in a restaurant!
Feifei: Come on, Neil.
Let’s hear some examples.
Then we can go for lunch somewhere
that doesn’t rip me off!
I refuse to go back to that hotel.
They were so rude! It left
a bad taste in my mouth.
When my boss sent me that angry email
last thing on Friday, it left a bad taste
in my mouth.
It left a bad taste in my mouth when I got
fined for going just one mile an hour
over the speed limit!
Feifei: This is The English We Speak from
BBC Learning English.
And I’m with Neil, who was wondering
why I’ve got a bad taste in my mouth
when it’s got nothing to do with food.
Neil: We use the expression it ‘leaves a
bad taste in your mouth’ when we have
a negative experience and
feel bad or angry about it afterwards.
So, is it time for lunch?
Feifei: Yes, Neil! I really want you to come
and try that new tofu place.
The food’s just delicious and
the service is excellent!
Neil: So, will it leave a good taste
in my mouth?
Feifei: It sure will! Bye.
Neil: Bye.