| [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. |