BBC Learning English
The English We Speak
31st January 2012
Don't get me wrong!

The English We Speak

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2012

Page 1 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Li:

Hello I'm Li! And joining me today is Neil – hello Neil!

(miaow)

Neil:

Hello!

(miaow)

Li:

Is that a cat in the basket you're holding?

Neil:

It's my adorable cat, Spencer.

Li:

Oh Spencer, can I see him?

Neil:

Of course...

(basket opening)

Li:

Ahhhh-urgh!

Neil:

What do you mean, urgh?

Li:

That's not a cat, it's a kind of frog-chicken!

(offended miaow)

Li:

It doesn't have any fur!

Neil:

Spencer certainly is a cat. He's a sphinx cat; they don't have any fur. You don't
like him do you?

Li:

No, no, no, don't get me wrong. He's just a bit – surprising!

Cat:

Miaow?!

Li:

Don't get me wrong - that's an expression you use when you're worried
someone might not understand what you say or be upset by it. When I said
Neil's cat looked like a frog-chicken, I didn't mean that I didn't like him; I just
meant he was... a bit unusual. Here are some more examples:

The English We Speak

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2012

Page 2 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Examples

Don't get me wrong, I do like James, I just think he can be a bit annoying sometimes.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to come to your party, but I'm busy tonight.

That coat is very bright – but don't get me wrong, I still think you should wear it.

Neil:

Well, I think Spencer is a beautiful cat.

(miaow of agreement)

Neil:

And, don't get me wrong, but you don't know much about cats do you?

Li:

Yes I do! I have a Norwegian Forest cat. And she's very beautiful with lots of
fur! But Spencer is... very strange.

(angry miaow)

Li:

A kind of gremlin.

(angry hiss)

Li:

And not very friendly.

(crazed miaow of anger as Spencer throws himself on Li)

Cat:

Miaow, don't get me wrong, I am only being friendly!

Li:

That is a lie. Get off me, you vicious gremlin! Get off! Get off!