Hi Finn. What are you doing here sitting alone in the canteen? Can I sit with you?
Finn
Sure. Take a seat, Feifei.
Feifei
Mind if I take a chip? They look good.
Finn
Oh yeah, go ahead! I'm just eating this quickly as I'm going out soon, you know? I'm going to take a look at a car. It's a sports car! I've always wanted one.
Feifei
A sports car? Sounds expensive. How can you afford a sports car?
Finn
Well, it's a second-hand car. The owner needs to sell it quickly so they're selling it really cheaply. What a great opportunity, huh?!
Feifei
These sports cars burn a lot of fuel, you know, Finn. The car might come cheap but do you want to end up keeping it in a garage?
Finn
Well, I hadn't thought of that…
Feifei
And there's also insurance. A car like that will attract thieves, so it'll cost a lot…
Finn
That's right. You know… you've just given me some food for thought…
Feifei
Food? You want more food? I thought you wanted to finish eating quickly?
Finn
I'm not talking about real food. In English, when you say 'food for thought' you mean serious ideas or topics for us to think about.
Feifei
Nothing to do with chips, then?
Finn
No food involved. 'Food for thought' is today's expression in The English We Speak. Let's hear some examples of how it's used.
Examples
The football coach was really disappointed when his team lost 3-0 to an amateur side. But it gave him food for thought.
Mary's divorce gave her food for thought. She decided to go back to university, get a diploma, and change her life around.
Feifei
So Finn, are you going to buy this sports car?
Finn
I'm not so sure now. You have indeed given me food for thought.
Feifei
(Chewing)… Mmmm… these are good…
Finn
My chips! Feifei, you've taken all my chips?!
Feifei
Sorry Finn. They looked so good and I thought you were in a rush.
Finn
I was, until you gave me… food for thought!
Feifei
Ok – let me get another plate. Chips are much better than sports cars anyway. Let's just focus on the eating today.