Page 34 - Conversation 3

(17) Plan B

Introduction

If you need an alternative option, you need to know this phrase. Learn about how to use it with
us.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2023/ep-231127

Transcript

Feifei
Welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Feifei.

Beth
And I'm Beth. We have an expression which is all about having an alternative option, in case
your first plan doesn't work out – the phrase is ‘plan B'.

Feifei
‘Plan B'. Can you give us some context, Beth?

Beth
Well, you know we've been trying to get tickets to that concert, Feifei? Ideally we want to go
here in London, so we don't need to travel, but I think the London dates might sell out quickly.

Feifei
Hmm, that's true. We better have a plan B. Maybe we could go to the concert in Birmingham
instead? That's not too far.

Beth
Good idea! Birmingham could be our plan B. Although, I suppose we could go on Sunday,
instead of Saturday in London still, if that works? The tickets for Saturday will probably sell
quickly but Sunday might not.

Feifei
OK. Yes, that's a better idea. So, Sunday in London can be our plan B, if we can't get tickets for
Saturday.

Beth
Great. We have a few different options then. Let’s hear some more examples.

Examples
The hike was called off because of the weather, so we went with plan B and played games inside
instead.

We need a plan B. I have a feeling we won’t make it to the restaurant on time.