All Ears English Podcast - Episode 2386: "Wait Up! English Phrasal Verbs for Softening Imperatives"

Release Date: April 7, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 2386 of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Aubrey Carter delve into the nuanced world of English phrasal verbs, specifically focusing on how adding "up" to imperative verbs can soften commands and make conversations more casual and friendly. This episode is tailored for intermediate to advanced English learners seeking to enhance their conversational skills and understand subtle language cues in American English.

Personal Anecdotes: Using "Wait Up" in Daily Life

The episode kicks off with personal stories from both hosts about the usage of the phrase "wait up." Lindsay shares her experience with her partner's fast walking pace:

[01:39] Lindsay McMahon: "Have you ever heard anyone say the expression wait up? Absolutely, Yes. I say this too. My husband a lot. He is notorious for walking, like, six steps ahead of me."

Aubrey relates a similar scenario, emphasizing the relatability of the phrase:

[01:46] Aubrey Carter: "I'll be like, wait up. Like, hold my hand while we're walking. He just doesn't notice."

These anecdotes set the stage for exploring how such phrases are embedded in everyday interactions.

Understanding Phrasal Verbs with "Up"

Aubrey introduces the main topic by explaining the role of "up" in phrasal verbs used as imperatives:

[04:31] Aubrey Carter: "Today we're focusing on imperative phrasal verbs. So these are verbs that give a command or make a request, maybe give advice. But what we do is we add up to soften them a little."

Lindsay adds that this addition makes commands less urgent and more friendly:

[04:53] Lindsay McMahon: "You're right. 'Wait' does sound a lot more serious, a lot more urgent. But 'wait up' is more, I don't know, it's more casual, more friendly, kind."

Examples and Role Plays

The hosts provide concrete examples and engage in role plays to illustrate the practical usage of various phrasal verbs with "up."

1. "Wait Up"

They demonstrate how "wait up" can be used in different contexts, such as joining coworkers for coffee:

[05:22] Lindsay McMahon: "You could say, wait up, I'll join you for a coffee."

Aubrey emphasizes the flexibility of the phrase:

[05:37] Aubrey Carter: "You could say, 'wait, I'll come with you,' but it's much less common because we often add this up just to soften it a little bit."

2. "Open Up"

The discussion shifts to "open up," highlighting its idiomatic use in both physical and emotional contexts:

[06:10] Aubrey Carter: "We also do it with open up. Imagine, if you just said open that or open it instead of, open it up."

Lindsay provides an example related to receiving gifts:

[06:56] Lindsay McMahon: "Hey, I got you a present. Open it up."

3. "Hurry Up"

The phrase "hurry up" is analyzed for its potential to sound harsh depending on intonation:

[07:32] Aubrey Carter: "We could say hurry, but it softens it a little to say hurry up, we're going to be late."

Through role play, they show how intonation can change the perception of urgency:

[08:14] Lindsay McMahon: "You could mix it up. Try 'hurry' and try 'hurry up' another time and see how it feels."

4. "Eat Up" and "Drink Up"

Aubrey and Lindsay explore how "eat up" and "drink up" make commands more friendly and less authoritative:

[09:14] Aubrey Carter: "I hope you like it. Eat up."

[10:01] Aubrey Carter: "Drink up, everyone. Next round's on me."

They contrast these with the more direct "eat" and "drink," noting the added friendliness:

[10:52] Lindsay McMahon: "'Drink' just doesn't work. You need that extra 'up' to make it friendly, make it casual, make it positive."

Nuances and Intonation

The hosts delve into how subtle differences in intonation can alter the meaning and perceived urgency of phrases like "hurry" versus "hurry up":

[13:45] Lindsay McMahon: "Hurry up could actually sound more urgent. I told her, 'hurry and get here,' but if I say 'hurry up and get here,' it sounds even more urgent."

Aubrey adds that noticing these nuances is key to building fluency:

[15:02] Lindsay McMahon: "Listen for 'hurry,' listen for 'hurry up,' and look at the scenarios in which they're used differently."

Takeaways and Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Aubrey summarizes the core lesson:

[16:59] Aubrey Carter: "When you are giving a command, when you're using an imperative verb, it is often important to soften it and adding up is the best way to do that."

Lindsay reinforces the importance of making conversations more casual to foster connections:

[17:19] Lindsay McMahon: "Remember that as we make things more casual, it makes it easier to connect, and that's what we're always going for."

The hosts encourage listeners to practice these phrasal verbs in various contexts to internalize their usage and enhance conversational fluency.

Key Insights

• Softening Commands: Adding "up" to imperative verbs like "wait," "open," "hurry," "eat," and "drink" can soften commands, making them sound more casual and friendly.

• Context Matters: The appropriateness of using phrases like "wait up" depends on the relationship between the speakers and the situation.

• Intonation's Role: The tone and emphasis placed on "up" can significantly alter the perceived urgency or friendliness of the command.

• Idiomatic Usage: Phrasal verbs with "up" often carry idiomatic meanings that extend beyond their literal interpretations.

Notable Quotes

• Aubrey Carter [04:31]: "Today we're focusing on imperative phrasal verbs. So these are verbs that give a command or make a request, maybe give advice. But what we do is we add up to soften them a little."

• Lindsay McMahon [05:02]: "Weight does sound a lot more serious, a lot more urgent. But wait up is more, I don't know, it's more casual, more friendly, kind."

• Aubrey Carter [11:35]: "It's interesting how it's almost more of an idiomatic meaning, too. We use it most often idiomatically to talk about being vulnerable or open."

Conclusion

Episode 2386 of the All Ears English Podcast offers valuable insights into the subtle art of using phrasal verbs with "up" to enhance conversational English. By understanding and practicing these phrases, listeners can make their speech sound more natural, friendly, and less commanding, thereby improving their overall fluency and connection with native speakers.

For more episodes and resources, visit AllEarsEnglish.com.