If someone ever says that you don’t know enough English vocabulary or idioms, just ‘send them packing’! This 4-minute English lesson teaches you this useful English idiom, once used by William Shakespeare himself, and shows you how to use it. Have you ever sent anyone packing? Tell us about it! 👇👇👇

👩‍🏫 FOR TEACHERS: Download a FREE lesson plan and worksheet here! 👉 [ Ссылка ]

More videos in this series:
🎭 As dead as a doornail 👉 [ Ссылка ]
🎭 Mum's the word! 👉 [ Ссылка ]
🎭 I'll send him packing 👉 [ Ссылка ]
🎭 Strange bedfellows 👉 [ Ссылка ]
🎭 Forever and a day 👉 [ Ссылка ]
🎭 Cruel to be kind 👉 [ Ссылка ]

Shakespeare Speaks is a co-production between BBC Learning English and The Open University.

TRANSCRIPT
Narrator
It's early morning at the Globe Theatre. William Shakespeare and his actors are rehearsing Henry IV Part 1. In this scene, it's late at night, and young Prince Hal, played by Robert Harley, and his friend Falstaff – that's Thomas Swann – are in the pub. But… the King's messenger has just arrived.

Thomas Swann as Falstaff
… Shall I give him his answer?

Robert Harley as Prince Hal
Prithee do, Jack.

Thomas Swann as Falstaff
Faith and I'll send him packaged…

Will
Stoooppppp!!! Thomas, Thomas, it's packing… I'll send him packing… Not packaged. You're not putting him in a box or a parcel. Remember: you want the King's messenger to go away!

Thomas Swann
Sorry, Will… I'm not my best today…

Actor 1
One too many beers last night, eh Thomas?!

Actor 2
He thinks he's Falstaff for real!

Will
Thomas. Listen to me. Falstaff and Prince Hal are having a great time. That's why Hal doesn't want to see the messenger.

Robert Harley
Will…

Will
What is it, Robert?!

Robert Harley
I do like the messenger's name: Gravity. Gravity! A serious man who doesn't like to have fun. Not like Falstaff. He's…

Actor 1
Old!

Actor 2
…and fat!

Actor 1
He's always telling jokes…

Actor 2
He's never got any money!

Thomas Swann
That last bit's true enough, Will.

Will
Now, now Thomas – you're perfect for this part. The audience are going to love you! Let's go again, from: What doth Gravity do out of his bed at midnight?

Thomas Swann as Falstaff
What doth Gravity do out of his bed at midnight? Shall I give him his answer?

Robert Harley as Prince Hal
Prithee do, Jack.

Thomas Swann as Falstaff
Faith, and I'll send him packing!

Will
Bravo! Let's take a break.

Narrator
We'll leave them there for now. Falstaff is one of Shakespeare's most popular characters. He drinks, steals and runs away from danger, but Shakespeare’s audiences loved his comic genius and sense of fun. In Henry IV, Prince Hal prefers the company of Falstaff – and his criminal friends – to noblemen. Shakespeare’s phrase I'll send him packing has the same meaning today: I really don't want this person around me, so I'll send them away. It's also used in sport, to talk about beating an opponent. Take Gwyn Jones, former captain of the Welsh rugby team, who said before a match:

Clip 1
This is our chance to do it and we should send them packing with their tails between their legs.

Clip 2
I've no patience when people try to sell me things at the door. I usually send them packing.

Will
Let's try it once more.

Actor 1
Come on Thomas!

Actor 2
You can do it!

Thomas Swann
Will you all shush?!

Actors 1 & 2
To shush, or not to shush: that is the question.

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