To be all downhill – The English We Speak

Feifei: Hello and welcome to The English
We Speak. I’m Feifei.
Rob: And hello I’m Rob.
Feifei: You’re looking pleased
with yourself, Rob.
Rob: I am! I’ve finished all of my work.
Feifei: Really. All of it?
Rob: Yes. Scripts written, programmes
recorded and edited, meetings cancelled –
I think I deserve a cup of coffee –
or maybe something stronger!
Feifei: But it’s only Wednesday
and you’ve done all of your work!
So what does that mean?
Rob: It means it’s all downhill
to the weekend.
Feifei: All downhill? Oh I get it! When you
are going downhill, on a bike for example,
it’s easy. So when things are about to get
easier, after a difficult or challenging time,
we can describe the situation
as being ‘all downhill’.
Rob: Spot on, Feifei. Once we’ve heard
some examples, it’s going
to be all downhill until pub time!
Yeah! Our building plans
have been approved.
It’s all downhill from here on.
Once I’ve completed this final
assignment, it’ll be all downhill
until I get my qualification.
Feifei: This is The English We Speak from
BBC Learning English. And I’m with Rob,
who’s done all of his work and says
it’s going to be all downhill until
the weekend – that is,
things are going to be easy.
But, Rob, I have a question.
Rob: Oh yes?
Feifei: The phrase ‘to be all downhill’
isn’t always used in a positive situation.
Sometimes it is used to describe
situations that get worse. Such as…
The film’s opening scene was amazing,
but it was all downhill after that – there was
no story and the acting was appalling!
Rob: Feifei are you absolutely
sure about this?
Feifei: Yes, it’s true – and your week
is definitely going to be all downhill.
Rob: In a bad way, I suppose?
Feifei: Yep. Neil’s just gone off sick
and you’ve got to do all his work now.
Rob: Crikey! This script for this
programme has suddenly gone downhill.
Feifei: You had better
save that drink for later. See ya.
Rob: Bye.