Does the phrase 'finger on the pulse' have anything to do with health?
Then, you can read the transcript to see if you understood everything:
The script for this programme
(Finn and Feifei are in the cinema; the film is about to start)
Finn: Hi, I'm Finn. This is The English We Speak. And this is Feifei.
Feifei: Hi. I hope you can hear me. This cinema is very crowded! I've never heard of this movie... and who are these actors, Finn?!
Finn: Well, Feifei, when it comes to the best new actors, I have my finger on the pulse.
Feifei: Finger on the pulse? Oh, don't do that here, Finn. You mean you touch the wrists of all these film actors? Where is your British reserve?!
Finn: No. I am not going to touch anybody's pulse or wrists and my fingers are here, in my popcorn. In English, 'to have your finger on the pulse' means: to be familiar with the latest trends and developments.
Feifei: Ahhhh, that's a relief.
Finn: You might hear the expression 'to have your finger on the pulse' or 'to keep your finger on the pulse'. Let's hear some examples.
Finn: Hi, I'm Finn. This is The English We Speak. And this is Feifei.
Feifei: Hi. I hope you can hear me. This cinema is very crowded! I've never heard of this movie... and who are these actors, Finn?!
Finn: Well, Feifei, when it comes to the best new actors, I have my finger on the pulse.
Feifei: Finger on the pulse? Oh, don't do that here, Finn. You mean you touch the wrists of all these film actors? Where is your British reserve?!
Finn: No. I am not going to touch anybody's pulse or wrists and my fingers are here, in my popcorn. In English, 'to have your finger on the pulse' means: to be familiar with the latest trends and developments.
Feifei: Ahhhh, that's a relief.
Finn: You might hear the expression 'to have your finger on the pulse' or 'to keep your finger on the pulse'. Let's hear some examples.
Feifei: Ah I see. So this expression is about keeping up-to-date with trends.
Finn: Yes it is.
Feifei: Finn, I've been looking at the poster of the film while we wait for the door to open and... this film...
Finn: 'The City That Never Sleeps'. Yes?
Feifei: There is a picture of a zombie on the poster... and... what is that in the corner? A dead woman! Is it a horror movie, Finn?!
Finn: Yes it is.
Feifei: Finn, I've been looking at the poster of the film while we wait for the door to open and... this film...
Finn: 'The City That Never Sleeps'. Yes?
Feifei: There is a picture of a zombie on the poster... and... what is that in the corner? A dead woman! Is it a horror movie, Finn?!
Finn: Calm down. It is a great movie. Full of blood and suspense. It will be a thrill!
Feifei: Oh. I don't like that, Finn! I really don't like that! I get really upset when I watch this sort of movie. My heart races... here, put your actual finger on my actual pulse... Here.
Finn: Oh, OK, OK, sorry Feifei. Your heart is beating very fast. I didn't know you had a problem with horror movies. Let's go and watch a musical then.
Feifei: 'The Sound of Music'?
Finn: Go on then!
Feifei: That's much nicer! Bye.
Finn: Bye.
Both: (Singing) Doe, a deer, a female deer. Ray, a drop of golden sun...
Feifei: Oh. I don't like that, Finn! I really don't like that! I get really upset when I watch this sort of movie. My heart races... here, put your actual finger on my actual pulse... Here.
Finn: Oh, OK, OK, sorry Feifei. Your heart is beating very fast. I didn't know you had a problem with horror movies. Let's go and watch a musical then.
Feifei: 'The Sound of Music'?
Finn: Go on then!
Feifei: That's much nicer! Bye.
Finn: Bye.
Both: (Singing) Doe, a deer, a female deer. Ray, a drop of golden sun...
