大象传媒

Finn: Hello Feifei. Welcome back to the office.

Feifei: Hi Finn. Back to work!

Finn: How was your holiday? You look great.

Feifei: Oh thanks, fantastic. We spent every day on the beach…

Finn: 狈颈肠别…

Feifei: Yeah, just relaxing, swimming, reading novels, eating fresh seafood, and my favourite new thing: playing beach volleyball!

Finn: Cool – you must have had a ball!

Feifei: Of course we had a ball. We were playing volleyball! You can't play volleyball without… a ball.

Finn: You're right, you do need a ball – but you see I meant…

Feifei: I know what you meant, just kidding! To 'have a ball' means to have a really good time, to enjoy yourself.

Finn: Yes, well did you? Have a good time?

Feifei: We had… a ball!

Finn: Listen to these other people who had… a ball.

• We went to my sister's wedding at the weekend. Everyone had a ball – it was so much fun.
• I had a ball at the party. So many of my friends were there and the music was great.

Feifei: Of course we don't always use it to talk about things in the past.

Finn: Yes, listen out for people 'having a ball', like this one:

• I'm having a ball in my new job. It's so much better than my old one.

Feifei: Or you can combine with 'will' when talking about the future.

• A: I'm not sure about joining the singing class.
• B: Of course you should join – you'll have a ball!

Finn: Anyway Feifei, it's good to have you back.

Feifei: Good to be back.

Finn: We're having a ball.

Feifei: I know, it's fun to be in the studio again.

Finn: No, we're really having a ball.

Feifei: Eh?

Finn: Yes, 大象传媒 Learning English is holding a ball – a formal party where people come and dance - tonight.

Feifei: Oh, that kind of ball – our ball! I'd completely forgotten! I'm playing volleyball tonight.

Finn: Well, I'm sure you'll have a ball whatever you do!

Feifei: Haha – yes, well you have a ball, at the ball!

Finn: Very good. For more English phrases, log on to bbclearningenglish.com. Goodbye.

Feifei: See ya.