The English We Speak: One size fits all
The English We Speak

The English We Speak: One size fits all

A2ElementaryJuly 28, 20264 min
  • Language lesson
  • Language learning

This expression was originally just about clothes, but it now it can mean anything that doesn't consider individual needs. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil. As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260727 For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com We send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

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Sentence 2 of 12 · 1:07

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases and expressions

. .

And I'm Phil. Hi Feifei. I've got the new team t-shirts. Have this one. They're one size fits all.

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A2

A2 · Elementary

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1:00

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. And I'm Phil. Hi Feifei. I've got the new team t-shirts. Have this one. They're one size fits all. But this is enormous. One size fits all? I'm not sure it does.

1:25

OK, but it does help us tell people about the expression one size fits all. It sounds like something you would use to talk about clothes. Yes, and that's where it comes from. Clothes are sometimes sold as one size fits all. It's sold as one size and it's supposed to fit everyone.

1:43

Well, I'm not sure it works for these t-shirts, but I can imagine it working for something like a hat. We don't just use it to talk about clothes, do we? No, we don't. It's become more general. One size fits all is often used to describe a way of doing something where everyone is treated in the same way. A training programme for a company might be described as one size fits all. Everyone does the same training.

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