BBC Learning English
The story
South Africans are facing a fourth day of severe power cuts. The troubled, state-run firm, Eskom, has appealed to customers to turn off all non-essential lights and appliances. The power cuts have caused transport problems in Johannesburg with many traffic lights switched off. South Africa’s ageing network has suffered from years of mismanagement.
Key words and phrases
blackouts
periods of no light or electricity
• The earthquake destroyed the power station, resulting in a city-wide blackout.
• The government ordered a blackout so the enemy planes can’t target the city at night.
double whammy
two bad things happening at the same time
• Catherine had the double whammy of forgetting both her keys and her buss pass.
• Rising taxes and low sales brought the business a double whammy of bad luck.
light at the end of (the) tunnel
sign that a difficult situation will improve or end
• I was wrong. Now I’ve studied a bit more, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
• After winning the lottery, I saw light at the end of the tunnel for my money worries.
Visit our website for more details and a quiz: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/newsreview/unit-9/session-82
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🍩 The electricity was blackouted for a few days.
🍩 Julia had the double whammy of forgetting both her bag and her glasses!
🍩 After she had studied hard, she decided to be Celta certified. It was a light at the end of the tunnel.
Waiting for the intro music…dats awesome…
Great job BBC
Ty
Why bbc english is not so responsive too I think because of its organization than individual channel
Multiply whammy
Multiply whammy
In our village almost 3 to 4 hour blackout
Double whammy
We are facing this time double whammy ohjj
In the blackout last night, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel of my double whammy of bad luck.
oh I really enjoy your smile
When sauth Africa have black government. Offkors they dont have electricity .because they are stupid. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣☻👍
Sadly, another national electricity blackout leaves Venezuela in the dark. That has brought about multiple whammy for the whole country. So, Dan and Catherin, if you two thought that a multiple whammy was impossible, it´s happening in Venezuela, because this blackout has led to many terrible things happening at the same time. For example, this blackout is causing water shortage, people are dying in hospitals, food is going off, many store are being looted and many other terrible things are happening. Although a huge amount of people want a complete change, the situation is getting worse and worse, so many can't see light at the end of the tunnel.
I think we'd use "dar PT (perda total)" here in Brazil as referring to someone who loses their consciousness because of drinking too much alcohol.
Hello from Korea 🖐
Ijust love news review
Low-key loving this programme ! Keep going on BBCLE ! ✊✊
頑張ってね！
Your show is incredible, thanks alot.
Well, Iam from Iraq and we've been experiencing the power cut since the Gulf War in 1991. The problem of electricity hasn't been solved yet. Seemingly there is no light at the end of the tunnel and it's because of the mismanagement.
😍💗
I love you, Dan. From me with love
catherine ur very beautiful …..can we contact on insta ……..keep teaching us
Democracy in Indonesia now face blackout. Please help.
Thanks
Learning English with your program it's such a pleasure 😍😍😍😍😍😍
"if i had a lady like her in my life i didnt want anything more in my life " she has the ability to clarify each and every word like touching the soul the way she explains . love you
Мне скучно жиииить
Could you please add subtitle for the video?
Thank you, BBC. 💚
I love Dan and Catherine. They’re the best 🤗 they always make me smile because they have a beautiful sparkle ❇️ and good vibes 🥰
We have the expression "light at the end of the tunnel" in Portuguese too.
💗
Hi, "double whammy" reminds me with the idiom " when it rains it pours"
You are very good. Thanks
Thank you for sharing,
love you both.
A week ago Venezuela had a blackout, many people dying. Venezuela has a double whammy …. Nicolas Maduro and his corruption
As I uninstalled the old BBC LE app and downloaded the new one, I had the double whammy of losing both a smorgasbord of old and useful 6 Minute English programs and a funkier app's layout.
I enjoy a lot with you and at the same time I improve my English. Congratulations for your programme!