Learning English

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• throw ideas at the wall
• like a moth to a flame
• gatekeep

Introduction

Sometimes you just want people to stop. That's one way to use 'wrap it up'. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.

Transcript

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

Phil
…yes, that one, in which colour, oh yeah, that'll be perfect, when can you deliver it for? Right yes, and another thing.

Feifei
Phil, Phil. What are you doing? We've got a programme to record!

Phil
I'm just trying to sort out my wife's birthday present? Yes, so yes, that's fine for the delivery….

Feifei
Look, can you wrap it up, we've got to get on with this.

Phil
The present? I can't wrap it up. I haven't bought it yet.

Feifei
No, your phone call – can you wrap that up. Can you end it?

Phil
Yes, and I think that might make a good expression for this programme.

Feifei
It's almost like you planned it. Yes, in this programme, we're going to learn the expression 'wrap something up'. If you wrap something up, you finish it.

Phil
Yes, it sometimes has the idea that there are a few things you need to do to finish it properly. For a phone call you probably just need to say goodbye, but if you're wrapping up a project at work, you might be trying to make sure that you've achieved all the things that you meant to at the start.

Feifei
Yes, sometimes it's for a more planned ending. For example, 'we need to wrap up this meeting by four'. Or sometimes we use it when we're feeling a bit impatient with someone, for example if they're on their phone for too long.

Phil
I have no idea who you could be talking about there. Let's hear some other people using 'wrap it up'.

Examples
Well, we could talk about this forever, but we've really got to wrap it up. I have to go home.

We've been working on this project for three years. And now I just need to do the last few things and then we can wrap it up, finally.

Listen kids, I don't want to listen to you argue any longer. Just wrap it up!

Feifei
We've been learning the expression 'wrap it up' to mean end or finish something.

Phil
In a similar expression – at the end of making a film people say 'that's a wrap' to say it's over. Then they might have a 'wrap party' to celebrate.

Feifei
OK. That just about wraps it up for this programme but join us next time to learn more English phrases and expressions.

Phil
See you then!

Feifei
Bye bye!

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