Page 13 - Conversation 3

Feifei
I bet you did really well.

Beth
I don't know. Here are some more examples of the expression 'off the cuff'.

Examples
I was in a meeting with my boss, and he asked me in this meeting to explain something quite
complicated to the people in the meeting, and I hadn’t prepared. I had to do it off the cuff.

I've got to do a speech at my wedding, and I haven't done any preparation, so I guess I'll just do it
off the cuff.

One of my teachers has called in sick and I'm going to have to teach their class. I haven't done
any preparation, so I'll have to do it off the cuff.

Beth
Now, it's also really common to use 'off the cuff' as an adjective, particularly before the words
'remark' or 'speech'. Now, if someone makes an off-the-cuff remark, it means they say something
without thinking about it first.

Feifei
Yes. And that actually could get someone into trouble. It could be offensive if you say something
without thinking about your words first. So, you might have to then apologise, and say "I'm
sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. It was just an off-the-cuff remark".

Beth
Exactly. So, to recap, we’ve learnt the phrase 'off the cuff' which means to say something
without preparing first.

Feifei
Yes, and that's all from us. We'll be back next week with another useful English phrase. See
you!

Beth
Bye!