20 January 2026

3 minutes

Available for over a year

This expression means something happens immediately after something else, often unexpectedly. Learn how to use it here.

FIND A TRANSCRIPT:

✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260119

TRY BEATING SPEAKING ANXIETY

✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:

Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish

Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

LIKE PODCASTS?

Try some of our other popular podcasts including:

✔️ Learning English Grammar

✔️ Learning English from the News

✔️ 6 Minute English

They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

(Photo: Getty)


Trending Now