[00:00.71]Hi Helen. Wow, what's that?
[00:02.40]It's a present for you, Chris.
[00:04.29]A present for me? Oh, that's very kind of you.
[00:07.43]Here you go.
[00:12.13]A new dictionary, how nice. That's such a lovely present, and it's not even my birthday.
[00:18.14]But hang on, why have you stuck all these pieces of string onto the book?
[00:23.47]There are strings to your present.
[00:25.54]I see. Do you mean there are certain conditions that come with this present?
[00:30.31]Yes, strings to your present.
[00:33.10]Ahh, you mean there are strings attached.
[00:36.39]I see, so it's an expression in English?
[00:39.22]That's right. Having strings attached doesn't actually mean you need to stick pieces of string on the book.
[00:44.64]You can just tell me what the conditions are.
[00:46.41]Oh, OK. Well, the conditions are that I can borrow your dictionary whenever I need to use it.
[00:52.51]That's absolutely fine. You can borrow it anytime.
[00:55.16]Great. Do you have any headphones I can use too? I want to listen to my mp3 player.
[01:01.74]Yes, here you go.
[01:04.52]Thanks. Are there any strings attached?
[01:07.94]No, you can use the headphones for as long as you like. No strings attached.
[01:12.49]Wonderful, thanks very much.
[01:15.80]Let's take a listen to some examples of how strings attached or no strings attached can be used.
[01:20.78]Make sure you read all of the contract before you sign it, there could be strings attached.
[01:27.73]We're giving away our brand new toy to the first 50 customers who visit our shop. No strings attached.
[01:34.90]So it can be a warning about whether there are restrictions to something or not.
[01:39.48]That's right. When something has strings attached, it often means there are hidden commitments and you should find out what they are.
[01:46.13]That's good to know. Is it just used when talking about money?
[01:49.54]It can often be used when talking about financial agreements or negotiations,
[01:53.86]but it can also be based on personal relationships too, like when you gave me the present. Here's another example.
[02:00.80]My brother said I could use his car this weekend, no strings attached.
[02:04.14]Really? That's a nice thing to do.
[02:06.71]Well, he does owe me a favour after I washed the car last week.
[02:10.34]So Helen, now that you've finished with your mp3 player, can I listen to it?
[02:15.60]You can, but there are strings attached.
[02:17.69]Oh, OK. What are they?
[02:19.53]My mp3 player has only got classical music on it.
[02:22.97]Oh no, I hate classical music.