Rob: | Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Rob. |
Li: | And hello I'm Li. |
Rob: | Shh shh Liquiet please! I need to concentrate, the race is about to finish and I've got a bet on. |
Rob: | Yeah! I've won. I've actually won. I'm rich! |
Li: | Well done Rob. So what have you won Rob? |
Rob: | Ten pounds! |
Li: | Oh just ten pounds. Ah well, that's quite useful actually. |
Rob: | Is it. Why is that? |
Li: | Well, you owe me five pounds and you did say you would buy me a glass of champagne if you won a race. |
Rob: | Oh right, did I? So, that will leave me with ... fifty pence. Maybe I'm not a winner after all. Honestly! Every time I make some money I have to give it away. |
Li: | Sorry Rob, it's a no-win situation or a lose-lose situation. Rob, you can't gain any money because you'll always lose it on something else. |
Rob: | So even though I did win something, I have also lost. That's a no-win situation is it? |
Li: | I'm afraid it is. A no-win situation is one in which a favourable outcome is impossible. You are bound to lose whatever you do. You can also use this phrase to describe situations that aren't just to do with money, like this: |
| I can get the bus or train to workeither way I'm going to be late. It's a no-win situation. |
| The cafe only served ham or beef sandwiches but as a vegetarian I was in a no-win situation. |
- If she helps in the garden, Mum won't be pleased and if she helps in the kitchen, Dad won't be pleased. She really is in a no-win situation.
Li: | So a no-win situation is one that is certain to end in failure and disappointment. So Rob I can see you are disappointed because you have spent your winnings on me. |
Rob: | I am. It seems impossible to win money just for myself. |
Li: | Actually I also won some moneyfifty poundsso I'll buy you a drink, in fact I'll buy you something to eat too and you don't need to pay me back that five pounds. |
Rob: | Really? Oh Li that's very kind of you. Now I'm in a win-win situation! |
Li: | Yes, the opposite of a no-win situation is a win-win situation. This is where there is a favourable outcome for everyone involved. Like this: |
| The house buyer got a good price and the seller was happy to sell quickly so it was a win-win situation. |
| If I get to invest your money in the company and you get to share the profits, it's a win-win situation. |
Rob: | So, in a win-win situation everyone is happy! Just like our situation now. So, where are you taking me for dinner Li? |
Li: | Did I say dinner? I was just going to buy you a sandwich. |
Rob: | Oh. That's not such a good win-win situation, is it? |
Li: | Maybe I'll buy you some chips too! |
Rob: | OK great. Let's go. Bye. |
Li: | Bye bye. |