AEE 2329: Don’t Let Idioms Get Your Goat

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Ears English Podcast – Episode 2329: “Don’t Let Idioms Get Your Goat”

Release Date: December 26, 2024

In Episode 2329 of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Aubrey Carter and Lindsey McMahon delve into the playful and practical world of alliterative idioms in American English. Titled “Don’t Let Idioms Get Your Goat,” this episode is the second part of a two-part series focusing on idioms that feature alliteration, enhancing both their memorability and conversational charm.

Introduction to Alliterative Idioms

The episode opens with Aubrey (A) and Lindsey (B) revisiting the concept of alliteration in idioms—where the repetition of initial consonant sounds makes phrases more engaging and easier to remember. They emphasize the importance of incorporating such idioms into everyday conversation to foster connections and make interactions feel more natural and less formal.

Aubrey (02:06): "So, idioms, I mean, they’re fun enough on their own and add alliteration.”

Exploring Classic Alliterative Idioms

The hosts explore four classic alliterative idioms, providing definitions, usage examples, and personal anecdotes to illustrate their meanings and contexts.

1. Gas Guzzler

Aubrey introduces the idiom “gas guzzler,” explaining it refers to a vehicle that consumes fuel inefficiently.

Aubrey (02:07): “Gas guzzler is a car that just guzzles up so much gas, just consumes gas very quickly.”

Lindsey adds that while modern SUVs have become more fuel-efficient, older models typically fall under this category.

Lindsey (02:20): “Seriously? Yes. This is a car that is not fuel efficient... especially older cars, right? They’re more fuel efficient these days.”

They provide practical examples of using the idiom in conversation:

Aubrey (03:51): “This car is a real gas guzzler. Right. And my Toyota 4Runner is definitely a real gas guzzler.”

2. Get Your Goat

The second idiom, “get your goat,” means to annoy or bother someone. Aubrey shares a personal story about sibling rivalry to illustrate its usage.

Lindsey (05:08): “My parents said this a lot. It's get your goat, which means to, like, bother or annoy.”

Aubrey (06:19): “I really hate that person. No.”

Lindsey (06:25): “Right. You need something else to say to kind of lighten and make it diffuse what you're saying a little bit.”

3. Make a Mountain Out of a Molehill

This idiom refers to making a big deal out of something insignificant. The hosts discuss its application in daily situations to encourage more relaxed perspectives.

Aubrey (07:04): “Make a big deal out of something small.”

Lindsey (07:17): “Or you might say about someone, okay, he’s making a mountain out of a molehill. This really wasn't a big deal.”

4. Pleased as Punch

Lastly, “pleased as punch” signifies extreme happiness or satisfaction. Lindsey highlights its often playful or sarcastic use among younger generations.

Aubrey (08:43): “I’m just pleased as punch about the present you got me. I feel like I should say that in a southern accent for some reason.”

Lindsey (09:13): “I think this is when I use it the most, and it’s that chunk. If I see that someone’s just giddy, like, super happy, especially if it’s something really little and silly, then I’ll say, don’t you just look pleased as punch.”

Role Play: Applying Idioms in Conversation

After a brief interlude, Aubrey and Lindsey engage in a role play scenario set in a car dealership to demonstrate the practical application of the discussed idioms. This segment showcases how idioms can make conversations more relatable and less formal, even in semi-professional settings.

Scenario Overview:

• Aubrey acts as a car shopper looking to avoid fuel-inefficient vehicles.
• Lindsey plays the role of a car salesperson.

Key Idioms Utilized:

1. Gas Guzzler: Aubrey asks about a car’s fuel efficiency to avoid high-consumption vehicles.

   Aubrey (10:34): “Can you tell me how many miles per gallon this car gets? I don’t want a gas guzzler.”

   Lindsey responds empathetically, using another idiom:

   Lindsey (10:39): “I know what you mean. It really gets my goat when you see that gas gauge dropping so fast.”

2. Make a Mountain Out of a Molehill: Aubrey emphasizes the importance of fuel efficiency without appearing overly dramatic.

   Aubrey (11:00): “Not to make a mountain out of a molehill, but I definitely want to avoid that.”

3. Pleased as Punch: Lindsay reassures Aubrey about an alternative car option.

   Lindsey (12:05): “I think you’ll be pleased as punch with this one. It gets 30 miles per gallon on the highway and 25 in town.”

Through this role play, the hosts illustrate how idioms can enhance communication by adding empathy, reducing formality, and making interactions more engaging.

Insights and Takeaways

Aubrey and Lindsey emphasize that alliterative idioms are not only fun to use but also effective in fostering connections. They argue that incorporating such phrases into various conversational contexts—ranging from casual chats with friends to semi-formal interactions like shopping for a car—can make English speaking more natural and fluent.

Lindsey (13:33): “So, we’re not reserving idioms and expressions for just close friends. There are so many contexts... it’s very native and natural.”

The discussion reinforces the podcast’s central theme of prioritizing connection over perfection in language learning. By mastering idioms with alliteration, learners can add depth and personality to their English conversations.

Conclusion and Additional Resources

In wrapping up, the hosts direct listeners to the first episode of the alliterative idioms series, titled “Amazing Alliteration,” which delves deeper into how alliteration aids memory and brand recognition. They encourage listeners to explore their Business English podcast for more specialized content on using English in professional settings.

Aubrey (14:24): “Don’t miss those. I’m excited for you guys to use all of the idioms from today’s episode and that one after you check it out.”

Finally, they reiterate the podcast’s mission to build connections through engaging and authentic language use, inviting listeners to continue their English learning journey with them.

Lindsey (14:39): “This is how we build connection.”

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Aubrey (02:07): “Gas guzzler is a car that just guzzles up so much gas, just consumes gas very quickly.”
• Lindsey (05:08): “My parents said this a lot. It’s get your goat, which means to, like, bother or annoy.”
• Aubrey (07:04): “Make a big deal out of something small.”
• Lindsey (08:43): “I’m just pleased as punch about the present you got me.”
• Aubrey (10:34): “Can you tell me how many miles per gallon this car gets? I don’t want a gas guzzler.”
• Lindsey (10:39): “I know what you mean. It really gets my goat when you see that gas gauge dropping so fast.”
• Aubrey (12:05): “I think you’ll be pleased as punch with this one.”
• Lindsey (13:33): “So, we’re not reserving idioms and expressions for just close friends. There are so many contexts... it’s very native and natural.”

Final Thoughts

Episode 2329 of the All Ears English Podcast offers valuable insights into the use of alliterative idioms, blending educational content with engaging dialogue. By illustrating how such idioms function in various conversational contexts, Aubrey and Lindsey provide listeners with practical tools to enhance their English fluency and build meaningful connections.

For those eager to incorporate these lively expressions into their vocabulary, this episode serves as an entertaining and informative guide. Don’t miss out on leveraging the power of alliteration to make your English conversations more dynamic and engaging!

Transcript

[A]

This is an All Ears English podcast. Episode 2329 Don't Let Idioms get your goat. Welcome to the All Ears English Podcast, downloaded more than 200 million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection. With your American host, Aubrey Carter, the IELTS whiz and Lindsey McMahon, the English adventurer, coming to you from Arizona and Colorado, usa. To get real time transcripts right on your phone and create your personalized vocabulary list, try the Allears English app for iOS and Android. Start your seven day free trial at allearsenglish.com forward slash app.

[B]

In this part two of our two part series, learn four classic phrases that include alliteration to use both literally and abstractly in English.

[A]

This episode is brought to you by Google Gemini. With the Gemini app, you can talk live and have a real time conversation with an AI assistant. It's great for all kinds of things, like if you want to practice for an upcoming interview, ask for advice on things to do in a new city, or brainstorm creative ideas. And by the way, this script was actually read by Gemini. Download the Gemini app for iOS and Android today. Must be 18 to use Gemini Live. Hey, Aubry, question for you today.

[B]

All right, let's hear it.

[A]

So do you drive a gas guzzler?

[B]

Oh, I. I do drive an SUV that is a bit of a gas guzzler. I drive it as seldom as possible and then I have an electric vehicle that I try much as possible to save gas.

[A]

Oh my gosh. I definitely drive a gas guzzler. I drive an old Toyota 4Runner from 2006.

[B]

Oh man. Supreme gas guzzler.

[A]

Yeah, it's all.

[B]

What is a gas guzzler, Lindsay? What is that?

[A]

Yeah, Gas guzzler is a car that just guzzles up so much gas, just consumes gas very quickly. And when gas prices are up, we can feel it for sure.

[B]

Seriously? Yes. This is a car that is not fuel efficient. So when you go to feel fill the tank, you're first of all, you're filling it very often and then it goes through gas really quickly. So especially older cars, right? They're more fuel efficient these days. The older.

[A]

Yeah, I didn't realize it, but SUVs have gotten a lot more fuel efficient, you know? Yes, they really have.

[B]

Yeah, a lot of even like hybrids, electric vehicles that are SUVs. It's amazing the power they're able to get with those these days.

[A]

Yeah, it's impressive. It's impressive. So how does this tie into the topic today? Aubry. Yes, guys.

[B]

We are talking about idioms that have alliteration. We did a part one on the business English podcast. Stay to the end and we'll let you know which episode that was. If you missed it, you don't have to have heard that one to understand this one. Today we're sharing idioms that als also have alliteration that we use in everyday conversations.

[A]

Yeah. In the other episode, we talked about how these are just fun to say. They're punchy, they sound smooth. They're just fun and kind of funny at times.

[B]

Exactly. Right. Alliteration is when you have a repeated sound. Like in gas guzzler, we have that hard G sound twice. And it does make it fun to say. So idioms, I mean, they're fun enough on their add alliteration.

[A]

Yeah, it's another tool. Right. Especially as our listeners get into B2C1. In our C1 course, we talk about speaking in metaphors. This could be another tool speaking with alliteration.

[B]

Absolutely. Interesting. Yeah, super interesting. All right, so let's go into number one, which is gas guzzler. We shared what it means. Let's share a couple more examples here.

[A]

All right. Okay, here's one. This car is a real gas guzzler. Right. And my Toyota 4Runner is definitely a real gas guzzler.

[B]

Yes. Yeah. So this is not a compliment, right? This is a complaint. This is someone complaining about their car.

[A]

That's right. What's another one, Aubrey?

[B]

You might say, I'm shopping for a more fuel efficient car. I'm tired of driving a gas guzzler.

[A]

And this is just the phrase. This phrase. Everyone knows it, Right. Native speakers just know it. And so to learn it and to be able to start using it will just feel natural. You know, people will just recognize it when you say it. Yeah.

[B]

Yes. And it's really interesting. It's amazing how much that alliteration makes it more playful. Because if you're going to say, you know, oh, I want a more fue fuel efficient car, it's fun and informal and playful to say, oh, I don't want to drive a gas guzzler.

[A]

Yeah. You know, if we said that, I mean, it's not wrong. It's fine. But sometimes, I don't know, it can feel something. Saying that would feel kind of formal, kind of distant, kind of.

[B]

It adds a distance.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And just, you know, using idioms and slaying an alliteration, it closes that distance and makes connection closer.

[A]

Oh, I think that's the topic today, right. How to close the distance using alliteration. That's it right there.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely.

[A]

So, Aubry, what's our second one? This one feels a little older to me.

[B]

Yeah, this is. My parents said this a lot. It's get your goat, which means to, like, bother or annoy. And whenever my brother would do something annoying and I would complain about him.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

My mom, especially, would say, why do you let him get your goat? I meant, like, why do you let him bother you? Why do you care?

[A]

Yeah, for sure. Were you and your brother close in age or how far apart in age are you?

[B]

Yes. A couple years apart. I'm actually going to see him on Thanksgiving in a few days. I'm very excited. But we really were at fisticuffs as kids. You heard that phrase, he. Like, we were just always fighting, always arguing. Yeah.

[A]

My brother and I were the same way. We're two and a half years apart. He's two and a half years younger. But we. I think that age difference is really, really yo.

[B]

Exact. That's exactly what we are. We're two. He's two and a half years younger than me.

[A]

Exactly. Y. The fighting is intense when you're a kid. So let's see. What is another sample sentence? Yeah.

[B]

You might say about somebody, that guy really gets my goat. Right. Or that lady really gets my goat. And this is a more informal, playful way of saying, they really bother me. They really annoy me. Which. That is a phrase that you want to kind of take some of the ire out of. You want to make it more playful, because otherwise it's like you're being too serious about. Or you're.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, you know, it's not a good look to get really annoyed.

[A]

Yeah. What are you gonna say? I really hate that person. No.

[B]

Right.

[A]

You need something else to. To say to kind of. Yeah. To lighten. Enlighten it and make it diffuse what you're saying a little bit. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. And this is a little less common. I think you're right. You're kind of feeling like it's maybe a little older. Maybe the generation older than us used it more. I do still hear it. I think you guys will hear it on TV podcasts, but a little less common.

[A]

Yeah. I still hear. I think my grandmother used to say it, but I still hear it for sure. So it lives on. It lives on.

[B]

I hope it will. It's fun. And the alliteration. Get your goat. So fun.

[A]

And number three is make a mountain out of a molehill. This one Is also still very common, although it may be a little bit older. Make a big deal out of something small.

[B]

Exactly. So you might say, I'm upset she's late, but I'm trying not to make a mountain out of a molehill. You're like, I'm trying to be chill. I'm trying not to make a big deal out of something that's really not a big deal.

[A]

Right. To not be so dramatic. Right. Take the drama out of life a little bit.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. Yes. Or you might say about someone, okay, he's making a mountain out of a molehill. This really wasn't a big deal. Right. So. And it is. If you. If you're saying this about someone, you're trying to share that they're being too dramatic. Like you said, Lindsay, this is a good way to lighten it up a little bit.

[A]

Do you know anyone Aubry that tends to do this? They just kind of go full speed into feeling everything with intense.

[B]

Probably me. I can't think of anyone who does this more than I do.

[A]

Maybe I do, too. Actually, all.

[B]

It depends on the situation sometimes, you know? But I know I've mentioned on the podcast before that if I feel like someone's being treated unfairly, I'm like, zero to 60. I'm right there in someone's face. Like, defending someone, maybe. Making a mountain out of a molehill sometimes.

[A]

Right. And I think it also depends on who. For me, it depends on who I'm around. Like, if I'm around my partner, I feel more liberty to be dramatic.

[B]

Totally. Right.

[A]

Versus, yes. You know, just a friend that maybe I don't know as well.

[B]

Among strangers, I might be a little.

[A]

More reserved, a little more easygoing. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. So our personalities change depending on who we're around. For sure. Oh, my gosh. Okay. Pleased as punch. Love. It also feels classic.

[B]

Let's call it classic. They are all pretty classic. Right. We've definitely heard our grandparents use these. We've seen them on older TV shows, but we do still hear them some. So this means very happy to be pleased as punch.

[A]

Yeah. So here's an example. I'm just pleased as punch about the present you got me. I feel like I should say that in a southern accent for some reason. I don't know why.

[B]

Or like, imitate a cute little grandma.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Or you might say, he looks pleased as punch. Something really good must have happened. I think we often. At least our generation and younger, we often use the. This be a little more silly.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Right. We're like don't you just look pleased as punch, Almost teasing them for being so happy about something.

[A]

So you're saying you're not necessarily using it in a fully serious way, right?

[B]

Yeah. I feel like this is when I use it the most, and it's that chunk. If I see that someone's just giddy, like, super happy, especially if it's something really little and silly, then I'll say, don't you just look pleased as punch.

[A]

Nice. I love that. Yeah. I mean, sometimes older phrases that have been around we heard our grandparents use, we use them still, but we use them in a more figurative way or a fun sarcastic way.

[B]

Yeah. Almost like we're imitating our grandparents saying, yes.

[A]

Interesting. Okay. Good to know, though. Good to know. So in this role play, which we're going to go into right now, after we take a quick break. Let's take a quick break, Aubry. And then we'll be right back.

[B]

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[A]

Okay, we are back from break here in this role play. We are. You work at a car dealership, and I'm shopping for a new car. Okay.

[B]

All right, let's do it. You want to start us out?

[A]

Yes. Here we go. All right. Can you tell me how many miles per gallon this car gets? I don't want a gas guzzler.

[B]

I know what you mean. It really gets my goat when you see that gas gauge dropping so fast. Yes.

[A]

Not to make a mountain out of a molehill, but I definitely want to avoid that.

[B]

Well, I think you'll be pleased as punch with this one. It gets 30 miles per gallon on the highway and 25 in town. I would make a good car salesman. Yes.

[A]

I know. You don't drive too hard of a bargain. I know. It's just like, talk about the features. Talk about the efficiency of the car.

[B]

Exactly right.

[A]

All right, so here, use. I said, can you tell me how many miles per gallon this car gets? And I said, I don't want a gas guzzler. And that was the car that tends to use gas quickly. It just absorbs it. Yeah, exactly.

[B]

And we didn't really talk about the actual verb. Guzzle means to, like, drink very fast. We'll say this like, someone could guz a soda means you're like, drinking something really fast. So this is very idiomatic, sort of personification to say that the car is drinking the gas.

[A]

It is cool. Kind of creative, right?

[B]

Yeah. Fun.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And then you said, oh, yeah, it really gets my goat when you see that gas gauge dropping. So this is a fun way to use it. I am, you know, like, showing empathy to you. Like, I get it. I also hate driving a gas guzzler. And so then I can say, yeah, that really gets my goat. Like, that also really bothers me.

[A]

And also a good sales skill. Right. People, in order to sell, people have to feel that you understand them with empathy. And you do. You're genuine here. Right. So it's true.

[B]

My calling as a car salesman salesperson.

[A]

Would have been a different life, for sure.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then I said, yes. Not to make a mountain out of a molehill, but I definitely want to avoid that. So I'm saying I'm not trying to be dramatic or make a really huge deal out of this one goal of the car, but I don't want it.

[B]

Right, Exactly. Right. You're sort of backpedaling a little to, like, not seem dramatic, not seem, like picky, like, oh, I'm not trying to be driven. I'm not trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. But, you know, this is an important feature to me.

[A]

You have to say what you're looking for when you're in the market for anything. Right? Yes.

[B]

Yeah. And then I finished by saying, I think you'll be pleased as punch with this one. And this. I could see myself saying this even in this kind of situation. Be like, it means the same as, I think you're really going to love this other one I'm going to show you, but it's a little more play. Yeah. Pleased as punch with this one.

[A]

One. Yeah. And this is used in a more straightforward way. Right. Because it's just a sales deal and you don't know the person. So it's being used in the way that maybe our parents generation used it or our grandparents.

[B]

Exactly. And this is interesting to look at this role play because a lot of you out there might think you need to reserve idioms and slaying for, like, friends, close friends. Very informal conversations right here. We're, you know, a salesperson and someone buying a car. We don't know each other well. It's a Little more of a formal situation. And it still doesn't feel strange to throwing in idioms because it just is very native and natural. It's still a pretty informal conversation if you're shopping for a car.

[A]

Oh, for sure. There's so many contexts for idioms and expressions and slang phrases, so it's not just those. Close friends. 100 agree. So let's send our listeners to the first episode in this series. Aubry. What episode was that?

[B]

Yes, it was episode 349 on the business English podcast called Amazing Alliteration. Commit these sticky phrases to memory. And we talked a little more about alliteration and how that's used by brands to make things memorable. So be sure to check out that episode and follow the Business English podcast if you don't, because you're missing great episodes.

[A]

Oh my gosh.

[B]

For sure.

[A]

If you're not aware, we have a whole other podcast again called Business English, so type in your search bar Business English. It will come up. You'll see the yellow, you'll see us on the COVID And you want to go ahead and hit that follow button because we publish business episodes. Business English, three days a week. All right.

[B]

Yes. Don't miss those. I'm excited for you guys to use all of the idioms from today's episode and that one after you check it out, because alliteration really does add something. They're fun to say, they're fun to hear. So not only do you have all these great idioms, they all have alliteration. Yes.

[A]

I love it. What was that we said at the top of the episode? Kind of closing the gap right between, you know, trying to find ways to get closer to people using these fun expressions. You know, play around with language. Don't just use textbook phrases all the time. This is how we build connection.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely. I agree. So fun.

[A]

All right, Aubrey, see you in the next one. Take care.

[B]

Awesome. See you next time. Bye.

[A]

Thanks for listening to all ears English. Would you like to know your English level? Take our two minute quiz. Go to allearsenglish.com forward SLF fluency score. And if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time.