What does 'rat race' mean? - YouTube
Feifei: Hello and welcome to
The English We Speak with me, Feifei...
Rob: ...and me, Rob.
Feifei: So, Rob, I have
a very simple question for you.
Rob: Yep?
Feifei: Why have you got enormous
whiskers glued to the side
of your face, and why
are you wearing a running vest?
Rob: Well Feifei, it's a new year - and
according to our Chinese friends,
it's the 'Year of the Rat'.
New Year, new resolutions - so I've
decided to join the rat race!
Feifei: You've decided to join the rat race?
You mean to get really
competitive at work and
concentrate on promotions and pay rises
at the expense of your free time?
Rob: That's right.
Feifei: But why?
Rob: Money!
Feifei: Right, well let's hear some
examples of this expression before
a little more explanation.
I'm going to quit the rat race. I earn all
this money but I never have
enough time to
spend it! It's just work, work, work!
People complain about the rat race, but if
you earn enough, you can retire at 50!
Nieves decided to quit the rat race
after she had a serious health scare.
She realised
that the money wasn't worth the stress.
Feifei: You're listening to The English We
Speak from BBC Learning English.
In this programme,
we're looking at the expression 'rat race'.
It's used to describe a way of life in which
people work very hard for a lot of money.
Rob: But there's no free time and it's very,
very competitive.
You heard in the examples,
we often hear the word 'quit' used
with 'rat race'. Quit the rat race.
Feifei: But you, Rob, have decided to join
it. You do know that you don't have to look
like a rat to join the rat race? And you
certainly don't have to wear a racing vest.
Rob: Just trying to make things clear
for our audience, Feifei!
Feifei: I do quite like
those whiskers, though.
Rob: (Squeaks)
Feifei: Bye!
Rob: Bye bye!
