Page 20 - Conversation 3

(10) Peaks and troughs

Introduction

Ever felt like you’re on the rollercoaster of life and you don’t know a good way to say it? Here’s
a phrase that’ll help you express yourself.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240617

Transcript

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases used by fluent English
speakers so that you can use them too. I'm Feifei and I'm here with Neil.

Neil
Hi Feifei, how are you?

Feifei
I'm well, thank you. Now, Neil. Have you ever experienced the peaks and troughs of life?

Neil
Oh. Of course, yes. Life is full of peaks and troughs, isn't it? Highs and lows. So, 'peaks and
troughs' is the expression we're looking at in this programme. But what exactly do we mean by
it?

Feifei
Well, in this expression, 'peaks' refer to the high points in life, moments of success, happiness or
achievement. I suppose that comes from the top of a mountain, which is called a peak, while
troughs are the low points so moments of difficulty or challenges.

Neil
Yep. So, we're talking about the ups and downs of life.

Feifei
That's right. Life is like a rollercoaster with its peaks and troughs. You said you've experienced
the peaks and troughs of life. Would you mind sharing?

Neil
Oh, yes, OK. So, I did a masters' degree as an adult when I had a young family. That was really
challenging, but I managed to do it, so that felt good. That was a good peak. Erm, a trough? I
lived abroad for a long time and then when I came back home, it was difficult to adjust so that.
That was a trough, I'd say.