AEE 2500: Would You Learn English by Any Means Necessary? - All Ears English Podcast

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[00:00]
A
This is an allers English podcast, episode 2500. Would you learn English by any means necessary?
[00:10]
B
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. And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com subscribe when you feel strongly about something. How can you express this in English today? Get the skills you need to show what you care about most to build a better connection. Do you want a more international career? What if English no longer held you back from getting a promotion? Getting chosen for an important project or presentation? Imagine the possibilities if you had fluent English. Find out your English level. Now with our free level quiz, go to allearsenglish.com/fluency score again. That's allearsenglish.com F L U E N C Y S C O R E and we'll see you there. Hey there, Aubry. How's it going? Welcome to 2500 episode. 2500 Lindsay.
[01:45]
A
Two 500 episodes. That's amazing.
[01:48]
B
We should be very proud and. But what really, it's. It's about our listeners. You know, the comments they send us. We love you guys and, and we're going to keep going for another 2500 or more. So we're here for you. Absolutely.
[02:01]
A
We're answering a great question today. We get so many good questions. Keep them coming, guys, for another 2500 episodes.
[02:07]
B
Exactly. Aubrey, I do have a question to start off today. You ready?
[02:10]
A
Let's hear it.
[02:11]
B
Yeah. So have you ever been in a situation where you had to get out by any means necessary?
[02:16]
A
Yes. So when I was in high school, I got locked inside a hallway where, like the classroom exited into this little hallway. And it was on a Saturday. I was actually judging a debate tournament at another high school. I was a senior and I realized the classroom doors had locked behind me and the exit out into the parking lot had a chain on it. It was like locked because it wasn't the main. It was like a back entry. So I was stuck there. And the classrooms that I had come through, no one was in. So I'm like pounding on the door. No one could hear me. So I started. I didn't have much, but I was trying to break the glass on the to get boat because I was stuck in there for like five hours.
[02:56]
B
Five hours.
[02:57]
A
No one. No one had cell phones at the time. I didn't have a phone, so no one knew where I was. And I was just trapped there. And I was willing to get out by any means necessary. If I had had the means, I probably would have started a fire and burned down the building.
[03:11]
B
And did someone eventually just come in?
[03:14]
A
Yeah, finally someone came. I saw them in the parking lot, and so I'm like, pounding on the door. And they came up and I was able to tell them, I'm trapped. And they couldn't get through the chain, but they were able to go around the front and let me.
[03:26]
B
Oh, that's quite a story.
[03:27]
A
It was crazy.
[03:28]
B
Oh, my gosh. I have a fear that I'm gonna get locked in a bathroom. When I use public bathrooms. I have this weird fear that I'm not going to be able to open the door, you know, to get out.
[03:37]
A
And so then you have to go down and shimmy underneath.
[03:39]
B
Yeah, yeah. I always imagine it. I do like this neurotic fear. This is recurring all the time.
[03:45]
A
So just getting trapped anywhere? No, not good.
[03:47]
B
Not good. Okay, so that kicks off our question. This came from YouTube, guys, don't forget this podcast is on YouTube. So check it out. It's a big episode. 2500. So go subscribe on YouTube to celebrate the anniversary. Yeah.
[04:00]
A
Yes, absolutely.
[04:01]
B
So this is from Benis Stabier. And they said, hi, Lindsay, Michelle and Aubrey. I'm a big fan of your podcasts. A little while ago, I came across the phrase by any means necessary. It really caught my attention, and I'd love to start using it in my conversations. Could you explain the best situations to use it and maybe share a few examples or scenarios? Thank you so much. Beautiful.
[04:24]
A
Such a good question.
[04:25]
B
Yeah.
[04:26]
A
And my example is one of the few, because this is very extreme to say you'll do something by any means necessary. Right. It's a willingness to use all available tactics or strategies or methods to achieve, you know, your goal, your desired end. Even potentially using violence, destroying property. Right.
[04:46]
B
Because you were pounding on the window.
[04:48]
A
If I had had something, I would have broken the window because I thought I was going to be in there forever. I'm like, no one's ever going to.
[04:54]
B
Know where to find me.
[04:54]
A
They're going to call the police.
[04:55]
B
So how quickly did panic set in for you there? It sounds like. It sounds like you might have been panicking a little bit. Like, did it set in right away? I'm curious.
[05:02]
A
I think it was. I don't. I don't know. That I really panicked. I was really bored. I. All I had with me were my SAT prep materials. So I was like studying for the SAT for hours. So I don't know if I really pan. Maybe I did. Toward the end, after a few hours, I maybe was kind of panicking and I was seeing if there was anything. I was like. I remember hitting the windows with my books, which was totally not. Not. It was less effective. There was no breaking glass with those books.
[05:31]
B
Yeah. So by any means necessary, you had to get out of there. Here are a couple of sample sentences. I'll get. I will get front row tickets to that concert by any means necessary, even if I have to camp out overnight in the rain.
[05:44]
A
Yeah. So this is interesting. We'll use it this way. We'll say by any means necessary when we don't really mean it. Like we might willing to camp out overnight in the rain, but we are not going to like break the law or like be violent. So we'll say by any means necessary when we. Not really.
[06:01]
B
You're being a little. You're exaggerating.
[06:02]
A
Exaggerating. Yeah. For sure. Sure.
[06:04]
B
What else I'll bring.
[06:05]
A
You might say he always cheats at games. He wants to win by any means necessary. So I'll say this, and I just mean he's willing to cheat. Right. He wouldn't really do anything.
[06:14]
B
Yes, exactly. And there are some people like that. They're so competitive that they just cheat. And I hate that.
[06:20]
A
So, you know, my brother's like that. You have to watch him. He'll cheat. Yeah.
[06:23]
B
Jeez. Crazy.
[06:25]
A
He's getting better as he gets older. When we were kids, he was a huge cheater.
[06:28]
B
Oh, interesting. Okay, now he's getting a little more tactful of when he can cheat and how to cheat.
[06:32]
A
Yeah. Or maybe he's just more careful so he gets away with it better.
[06:35]
B
Maybe. Maybe. Let's see. Number two. Next one. @ all costs. So very similar. This is no matter what the price or the sacrifice, the goal must be achieved. So same idea exactly.
[06:47]
A
Right. Very similar meeting. Meaning you might say she was determined to win the championship at all costs. And so usually this would just mean she's practicing as hard as she can, doing everything she can. But it could also imply, like, she's willing to cheat. She's, you know, who knows? At all costs. That could mean anything.
[07:04]
B
Or we need to protect the evidence at all costs. Even if it means delaying the trial. Yeah.
[07:10]
A
Yeah. So this, when we say at all costs, it can really mean that someone's willing to do whatever it takes. If you're watching a show about, like a crime boss and they say, you know, get rid of him at all costs, oh, that could really mean, like, whatever you have to do.
[07:24]
B
Yeah. Oh, gosh, the gangster movies. Right, Right, exactly.
[07:28]
A
But if someone says it like this, right. Oh, you know, she's determined to win at all costs. That doesn't necessarily imply she's willing to do violence. Right. It just means she's going to put in maximum effort.
[07:39]
B
Absolutely. Yeah. Absolutely. Doesn't mean someone's going to end up in the bottom of the Charles river in Boston or something.
[07:45]
A
It's not always Murdery.
[07:47]
B
Yeah, for sure. This is not a true podcast. Right.
[07:50]
A
Exactly.
[07:51]
B
All right, number three, Whatever it takes. Yeah. Again, very similar vibe.
[07:56]
A
Same willingness to do anything required to succeed. But again. Right. We use these sort of hyperbolic, like this. Very hyperbolic. Like, it just means. It means a lot to us. So, for example, she'll do whatever it takes to get into medical school. And really, we mean, she's studying as hard as she can, spending a lot of time. Yeah.
[08:14]
B
It's interesting. I had some friends when I was growing up that really knew exactly what they wanted to do. They were neighbors in my neighborhood and, like, they both ended up going to Princeton and they were just so determined. They knew exactly what they wanted to do. And I was just always kind of like, how do you know what you want to be and where you want to go? I never quite understood it, you know.
[08:32]
A
I'm always impressed when someone is that driven. I was the same. I'm like, I don't know. It could be.
[08:36]
B
Yeah.
[08:37]
A
Our options open. Right, Exactly.
[08:40]
B
It's very different way of living life, I think, you know, and I feel.
[08:44]
A
Like these come up a lot in sports. So, for example, the coach told the team to win the game, whatever it takes. And so this can happen if a coach is recommending more, like, underhanded techniques. Maybe if it's basketball you're intentionally fouling. This does happen where sometimes when people are getting competitive, they're willing to use sneakier tactics. Right.
[09:07]
B
Like maybe in hockey, the checking thing. I don't know if they can do that anymore. I think in men's hockey they can.
[09:12]
A
Yeah. Sometimes you can get away with it if you're a little sneakier. Right.
[09:16]
B
For sure. And then no matter what is on the same vibe, an action that will happen. An action will happen regardless of obstacles or consequences. This is the most down to earth way to say it, isn't it?
[09:26]
A
Absolutely. And it's often more positive. Right. Someone might say, I'll support you no matter what. It's a little more general often. Right. We're not getting into. We're not saying I'll do whatever it takes. It's just like no matter what, I will always support you.
[09:40]
B
Yeah. It feels like it's the most accessible. It's the one I usually use.
[09:43]
A
Me too. I use it the most.
[09:45]
B
Yeah. Yeah. It's the one that's just available most often for some reason, linguistically speaking. Aubrey, There are others, but a few of them we can't say here on the podcast because they involve curse words.
[09:57]
A
There's a really fun one that has a similar meaning, but it has a curse word so we can't say it here in the podcast. I'm going to post about it in our community the day this episode drops. So if you are in one of our courses, look for that. If you're not, you need to sign up for one of our courses so that you can get that post.
[10:14]
B
Yeah. Our community is an amazingly vibrant place where students are connecting with each other. They're finding out about Open Conversation, Club Q and A, the times of the important student only clubs that happen too. I think someone just posted a brand new one coming up soon. We love this. This is the key part of our course system. When you join a course, you become a part of the community and there is a new course coming out. Another brand new course coming out in the next few weeks at Allers English. So take a look at what we have in the next couple of weeks, guys.
[10:43]
A
Yes. Awesome.
[10:47]
B
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[12:30]
A
Okay, yeah, I'll start us out. I can't believe the tickets for this concert sold out in 10 minutes.
[12:35]
B
I know. We have to get tickets by any means necessary.
[12:39]
A
We still have a chance. They're selling the front row seats to the first people in line the night of the concert.
[12:45]
B
I'm willing to go the day before and camp outside the box office overnight. I want to see this band at all costs.
[12:52]
A
I'm down. I've never waited in line overnight for anything, but I'll do whatever it takes to get these front row seats.
[12:58]
B
Let's do it. No matter what, we're getting those tickets. It's kind of fun. When you're young, you might do that. It makes me also think of Apple people, you know, iOS people. When. I'm not sure if people do that anymore, but when the iPhone was first launching the new versions, people would camp out to get it. Yeah.
[13:14]
A
You know, I always thought when we moved to New York, I was like, I. I wanted to go to, like, a taping of snl, Stephen Colbert. There were, like, shows I wanted to see, and I was probably. I was willing to get those tickets at all costs. But then it ended up being pretty easy. You could just, like, reserve them online for the night you wanted to go. So I never had to camp out anywhere.
[13:33]
B
I never did that when I lived in New York. And I so regret it. I feel like I didn't do some of the cool things that locals do. Right.
[13:40]
A
You were younger, so you were, like, too cool for that.
[13:42]
B
I was too cool, I guess. But that sounds like a really fun thing to do, go on SNL or any of the. The nighttime talk shows. Right.
[13:49]
A
I loved it. It was so fun. The best thing about going to a live taping of SNL is one of the cast members does, like, stand up to warm up the crowd. And it was Jason Sudeikis the night we were there. And it was so funny. I'm like, I can't believe. I'm, like, for free. Seeing, like, Jason Sudeika stand up live. It's amazing.
[14:04]
B
That's kind of insane. Yeah. There's some really cool things about living in New York. Also, the, the. The tickets that, like, when you go to Times Square and you go to the big TKTS office to get the cheap Broadway tickets.
[14:15]
A
You can do the lottery for a lot of shows. The front row. This is kind of what I was thinking here. Like, the front row lottery. We always were playing for those cheap seats.
[14:23]
B
Yep. There are benefits to being a local, that's for sure. All right, let's go through our role play here, Aubrey. So I'm saying we have to get tickets by any means necessary, so we'll do anything. Not anything, but that's where you can.
[14:35]
A
See the exaggeration here. Right. We're willing to sleep out overnight on the sidewalk. That's extreme. We would use these phrases for that. But, like, really, would we do anything?
[14:45]
B
I know.
[14:45]
A
There's actually a really funny song. I don't know if you ever saw Flight of the Concords where he writes this song for a girl and he's saying, I would do anything for you. And his friend kind of calls him out. He's like, would you really do anything? So he changes the song where he was like, I would give you a ride to the airport. He, like, starts listing things he actually would do. That's really funny.
[15:03]
B
I love that. That's awesome. And then what was the next phrase that was used here?
[15:08]
A
So then you said, I want to see this band at all costs. So it's just another interesting way of saying, I really want to see them. I'm willing to. To camp out to get these tickets.
[15:17]
B
Yeah. I can't think of any band that I'd be willing to camp out for. Honestly, I don't know.
[15:22]
A
I'm too old for that. I can't do that anymore. I. I don't like concerts that much anyway. But the. Often the tickets are too expensive if they sell out quickly. I'm like, oh, bummer.
[15:33]
B
Yeah, I'm not a huge concert person either. I feel like you have to stand a lot, which then I get tired.
[15:39]
A
Concert attending days are in my past. Yeah, I agree completely.
[15:45]
B
And then you said, I'm down. I've never waited in line for anything, but I'll do whatever it takes. Clearly, we are like 19 years old here, right?
[15:52]
A
Yeah, it does sound like it. Right. We're willing to sleep on the sidewalk overnight to get tickets. It sounds like we're pretty young.
[15:58]
B
Yeah, for sure. And then what. What did I say last?
[16:00]
A
And you said, let's do it no matter what. We're getting those tickets.
[16:04]
B
Yes. What's our takeaway for today's episode?
[16:07]
A
Yeah. I feel like one of the best things to connect about is something you're really passionate about. So if you are the type of person that would sleep on the sidewalk to get tickets, like what a fun thing to connect with people about and you need today's vocabulary to do it.
[16:20]
B
Yeah. And again, everyone has weird different niche interests. I mean, maybe it's a particular restaurant or some kind of festival that's really strange. But you love it. And so being able to show like your weirdness and your interest is a huge connection skill. Right Aubrey?
[16:36]
A
Absolutely. Maybe it's some crazy thing that you collect and you're going to share about that and say I would get this figurine by any means necessary. Maybe you're bidding on ebay for totally.
[16:45]
B
Or there's like a stamp collecting conference or something and you have to get those tickets. So don't be afraid as you are connecting with native speakers to show who you really are and show that weirdness. Right. That makes you interesting.
[16:57]
A
Absolutely. Own your weird. People are more interesting when they are open about whatever weird things they're interested in.
[17:04]
B
Totally. 100% good stuff today, Aubrey. Guys, hit the follow button on the show and we'll see you next time.
[17:10]
A
Awesome. See you next time.
[17:11]
B
All right, bye. 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/fluency score. And if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to sure make make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time. And Doug, here we have the Limu emu in its natural habitat helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.
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Summary5 min read

All Ears English Podcast – Episode 2500

"Would You Learn English by Any Means Necessary?"

Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Aubrey Carter
Date: October 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This milestone 2500th episode of All Ears English dives into the powerful English phrase "by any means necessary" and similar expressions. Lindsay and Aubrey break down the literal and figurative uses, provide fun personal anecdotes, offer practical examples, and explain how to use such language to express deep commitment, passion, or urgency. The episode is lively, relatable, and filled with tips for intermediate and advanced English learners eager to sound natural and connect authentically in English conversations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celebrating Episode 2500 & Listener Appreciation

Lindsay and Aubrey open by acknowledging the enormous milestone, celebrating their long journey and expressing gratitude for listener support.
[01:47] Lindsay: “We should be very proud, and...it’s about our listeners. You know, the comments they send us…We’re here for you.”

2. Introducing the Expression: "By Any Means Necessary"

The episode's central question comes from listener Benis Stabier on YouTube:
- How to use “by any means necessary” in English conversation?
- When is it appropriate, and what are examples of using it?

3. Personal Anecdote: Trapped and Desperate

Aubrey shares a real-life story from high school:
- [02:16] Aubrey: “I was judging a debate tournament...realized the classroom doors had locked behind me…and the exit out into the parking lot had a chain on it…I was stuck there for like five hours.”
- Describes considering breaking glass – expressing her drive to escape “by any means necessary.”
Lindsay admits a recurring “neurotic fear” of being locked in public bathrooms:
- [03:28] Lindsay: “I have a fear that I’m gonna get locked in a bathroom…This is recurring all the time.”

4. Deep Dive into the Idiom & Alternatives

Panel discusses the meaning: readiness to use any possible tactic, sometimes even extreme measures, to achieve a goal.
Recognizes hyperbole: It's often used exaggeratively and not to advocate violence or illegality.
- [05:43] Aubrey: “We’ll use it this way...when we don’t really mean it…We are not going to break the law or like be violent...we’re exaggerating.”
Practical examples provided:
- “I’ll get front row tickets to that concert by any means necessary, even if I have to camp out overnight in the rain.”
- “He always cheats at games. He wants to win by any means necessary.”

5. Related Expressions

At all costs: Will do whatever is required, regardless of the price or sacrifice.
- [06:46] Aubrey: “She was determined to win the championship at all costs...could also imply, like, she’s willing to cheat...”
Whatever it takes: Readiness to do anything required to achieve success.
- Used in contexts like getting into medical school or sports—sometimes refers to underhanded tactics.
- [08:44] Aubrey: “These come up a lot in sports…the coach told the team to win the game, whatever it takes…sometimes people use sneakier tactics.”
No matter what: Less intense, generally positive—used to show unwavering support.
- [09:26] Aubrey: “‘I’ll support you no matter what.’ It’s a little more general—means always support you.”

6. Note on Profanity

Some similar phrases involve curse words (not used in this episode), but Aubrey teases more content in their community platform.

7. Practical Role Play

Two friends strategizing how to get concert tickets—a lively dialogue full of the idioms discussed:
- [12:35] Lindsay: “We have to get tickets by any means necessary.”
- [12:45] Lindsay: “I want to see this band at all costs.”
- [12:51] Aubrey: “I’ll do whatever it takes to get these front row seats.”
- [12:57] Lindsay: “No matter what, we’re getting those tickets!”
They reflect on the days of lining up overnight for iPhones or show tickets, with personal memories from living in New York.

8. Cultural Insights & Making Connections

Encouragement to share passions, quirks, and “weirdness” with others as a vital part of genuine connection:
- [16:44] Lindsay: “Don’t be afraid…to show who you really are and show that weirdness. Right.”
- [16:56] Aubrey: “Own your weird. People are more interesting when they are open about whatever weird things they’re interested in.”

9. Takeaway

Expressing passionate commitment with strong idioms makes for fun, authentic connection in English.
Don’t hesitate to let your unique interests shine!

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

[03:28] Lindsay: “I have a fear that I’m gonna get locked in a bathroom…This is recurring all the time.”
[04:25] Aubrey: “It’s a willingness to use all available tactics or strategies…even potentially using violence, destroying property…”
[05:43] Aubrey: “We’ll say by any means necessary when we…are exaggerating.”
[07:39] Lindsay: “Doesn’t mean someone’s going to end up in the bottom of the Charles river in Boston or something.”
[12:35] Lindsay: “We have to get tickets by any means necessary.”
[16:44] Lindsay: “Don’t be afraid as you are connecting with native speakers to show who you really are and show that weirdness. Right.”
[16:56] Aubrey: “Own your weird. People are more interesting when they are open about whatever weird things they’re interested in.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

[01:45] – Celebrating episode 2500 & listener appreciation
[02:10-03:11] – Aubrey's story: Trapped in a hallway
[04:01-05:30] – Introduction and meaning of "by any means necessary"
[06:34-09:26] – Alternatives: "at all costs," "whatever it takes," "no matter what"
[12:29-16:03] – Role play: Getting concert tickets using the idioms
[16:07-16:56] – Takeaways: Owning your interests and unique passions

Summary

In this lively and engaging episode, Lindsay and Aubrey help listeners master several powerful ways to talk about their deepest commitments in English—whether that means lining up all night for a concert, studying hard for big exams, or supporting a friend unconditionally. Using idioms like “by any means necessary,” “at all costs,” “whatever it takes,” and “no matter what,” the hosts provide practical structures, real-world examples, and personal stories to make your English more authentic, persuasive, and fun. Through humor, anecdotes, and a focus on “Connection, not Perfection,” listeners are encouraged to own their quirks and passions for stronger real-life connections.

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Transcript112 lines

[00:00]
A
This is an allers English podcast, episode 2500. Would you learn English by any means necessary?
[00:10]
B
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. And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com subscribe when you feel strongly about something. How can you express this in English today? Get the skills you need to show what you care about most to build a better connection. Do you want a more international career? What if English no longer held you back from getting a promotion? Getting chosen for an important project or presentation? Imagine the possibilities if you had fluent English. Find out your English level. Now with our free level quiz, go to allearsenglish.com/fluency score again. That's allearsenglish.com F L U E N C Y S C O R E and we'll see you there. Hey there, Aubry. How's it going? Welcome to 2500 episode. 2500 Lindsay.
[01:45]
A
Two 500 episodes. That's amazing.
[01:48]
B
We should be very proud and. But what really, it's. It's about our listeners. You know, the comments they send us. We love you guys and, and we're going to keep going for another 2500 or more. So we're here for you. Absolutely.
[02:01]
A
We're answering a great question today. We get so many good questions. Keep them coming, guys, for another 2500 episodes.
[02:07]
B
Exactly. Aubrey, I do have a question to start off today. You ready?
[02:10]
A
Let's hear it.
[02:11]
B
Yeah. So have you ever been in a situation where you had to get out by any means necessary?
[02:16]
A
Yes. So when I was in high school, I got locked inside a hallway where, like the classroom exited into this little hallway. And it was on a Saturday. I was actually judging a debate tournament at another high school. I was a senior and I realized the classroom doors had locked behind me and the exit out into the parking lot had a chain on it. It was like locked because it wasn't the main. It was like a back entry. So I was stuck there. And the classrooms that I had come through, no one was in. So I'm like pounding on the door. No one could hear me. So I started. I didn't have much, but I was trying to break the glass on the to get boat because I was stuck in there for like five hours.
[02:56]
B
Five hours.
[02:57]
A
No one. No one had cell phones at the time. I didn't have a phone, so no one knew where I was. And I was just trapped there. And I was willing to get out by any means necessary. If I had had the means, I probably would have started a fire and burned down the building.
[03:11]
B
And did someone eventually just come in?
[03:14]
A
Yeah, finally someone came. I saw them in the parking lot, and so I'm like, pounding on the door. And they came up and I was able to tell them, I'm trapped. And they couldn't get through the chain, but they were able to go around the front and let me.
[03:26]
B
Oh, that's quite a story.
[03:27]
A
It was crazy.
[03:28]
B
Oh, my gosh. I have a fear that I'm gonna get locked in a bathroom. When I use public bathrooms. I have this weird fear that I'm not going to be able to open the door, you know, to get out.
[03:37]
A
And so then you have to go down and shimmy underneath.
[03:39]
B
Yeah, yeah. I always imagine it. I do like this neurotic fear. This is recurring all the time.
[03:45]
A
So just getting trapped anywhere? No, not good.
[03:47]
B
Not good. Okay, so that kicks off our question. This came from YouTube, guys, don't forget this podcast is on YouTube. So check it out. It's a big episode. 2500. So go subscribe on YouTube to celebrate the anniversary. Yeah.
[04:00]
A
Yes, absolutely.
[04:01]
B
So this is from Benis Stabier. And they said, hi, Lindsay, Michelle and Aubrey. I'm a big fan of your podcasts. A little while ago, I came across the phrase by any means necessary. It really caught my attention, and I'd love to start using it in my conversations. Could you explain the best situations to use it and maybe share a few examples or scenarios? Thank you so much. Beautiful.
[04:24]
A
Such a good question.
[04:25]
B
Yeah.
[04:26]
A
And my example is one of the few, because this is very extreme to say you'll do something by any means necessary. Right. It's a willingness to use all available tactics or strategies or methods to achieve, you know, your goal, your desired end. Even potentially using violence, destroying property. Right.
[04:46]
B
Because you were pounding on the window.
[04:48]
A
If I had had something, I would have broken the window because I thought I was going to be in there forever. I'm like, no one's ever going to.
[04:54]
B
Know where to find me.
[04:54]
A
They're going to call the police.
[04:55]
B
So how quickly did panic set in for you there? It sounds like. It sounds like you might have been panicking a little bit. Like, did it set in right away? I'm curious.
[05:02]
A
I think it was. I don't. I don't know. That I really panicked. I was really bored. I. All I had with me were my SAT prep materials. So I was like studying for the SAT for hours. So I don't know if I really pan. Maybe I did. Toward the end, after a few hours, I maybe was kind of panicking and I was seeing if there was anything. I was like. I remember hitting the windows with my books, which was totally not. Not. It was less effective. There was no breaking glass with those books.
[05:31]
B
Yeah. So by any means necessary, you had to get out of there. Here are a couple of sample sentences. I'll get. I will get front row tickets to that concert by any means necessary, even if I have to camp out overnight in the rain.
[05:44]
A
Yeah. So this is interesting. We'll use it this way. We'll say by any means necessary when we don't really mean it. Like we might willing to camp out overnight in the rain, but we are not going to like break the law or like be violent. So we'll say by any means necessary when we. Not really.
[06:01]
B
You're being a little. You're exaggerating.
[06:02]
A
Exaggerating. Yeah. For sure. Sure.
[06:04]
B
What else I'll bring.
[06:05]
A
You might say he always cheats at games. He wants to win by any means necessary. So I'll say this, and I just mean he's willing to cheat. Right. He wouldn't really do anything.
[06:14]
B
Yes, exactly. And there are some people like that. They're so competitive that they just cheat. And I hate that.
[06:20]
A
So, you know, my brother's like that. You have to watch him. He'll cheat. Yeah.
[06:23]
B
Jeez. Crazy.
[06:25]
A
He's getting better as he gets older. When we were kids, he was a huge cheater.
[06:28]
B
Oh, interesting. Okay, now he's getting a little more tactful of when he can cheat and how to cheat.
[06:32]
A
Yeah. Or maybe he's just more careful so he gets away with it better.
[06:35]
B
Maybe. Maybe. Let's see. Number two. Next one. @ all costs. So very similar. This is no matter what the price or the sacrifice, the goal must be achieved. So same idea exactly.
[06:47]
A
Right. Very similar meeting. Meaning you might say she was determined to win the championship at all costs. And so usually this would just mean she's practicing as hard as she can, doing everything she can. But it could also imply, like, she's willing to cheat. She's, you know, who knows? At all costs. That could mean anything.
[07:04]
B
Or we need to protect the evidence at all costs. Even if it means delaying the trial. Yeah.
[07:10]
A
Yeah. So this, when we say at all costs, it can really mean that someone's willing to do whatever it takes. If you're watching a show about, like a crime boss and they say, you know, get rid of him at all costs, oh, that could really mean, like, whatever you have to do.
[07:24]
B
Yeah. Oh, gosh, the gangster movies. Right, Right, exactly.
[07:28]
A
But if someone says it like this, right. Oh, you know, she's determined to win at all costs. That doesn't necessarily imply she's willing to do violence. Right. It just means she's going to put in maximum effort.
[07:39]
B
Absolutely. Yeah. Absolutely. Doesn't mean someone's going to end up in the bottom of the Charles river in Boston or something.
[07:45]
A
It's not always Murdery.
[07:47]
B
Yeah, for sure. This is not a true podcast. Right.
[07:50]
A
Exactly.
[07:51]
B
All right, number three, Whatever it takes. Yeah. Again, very similar vibe.
[07:56]
A
Same willingness to do anything required to succeed. But again. Right. We use these sort of hyperbolic, like this. Very hyperbolic. Like, it just means. It means a lot to us. So, for example, she'll do whatever it takes to get into medical school. And really, we mean, she's studying as hard as she can, spending a lot of time. Yeah.
[08:14]
B
It's interesting. I had some friends when I was growing up that really knew exactly what they wanted to do. They were neighbors in my neighborhood and, like, they both ended up going to Princeton and they were just so determined. They knew exactly what they wanted to do. And I was just always kind of like, how do you know what you want to be and where you want to go? I never quite understood it, you know.
[08:32]
A
I'm always impressed when someone is that driven. I was the same. I'm like, I don't know. It could be.
[08:36]
B
Yeah.
[08:37]
A
Our options open. Right, Exactly.
[08:40]
B
It's very different way of living life, I think, you know, and I feel.
[08:44]
A
Like these come up a lot in sports. So, for example, the coach told the team to win the game, whatever it takes. And so this can happen if a coach is recommending more, like, underhanded techniques. Maybe if it's basketball you're intentionally fouling. This does happen where sometimes when people are getting competitive, they're willing to use sneakier tactics. Right.
[09:07]
B
Like maybe in hockey, the checking thing. I don't know if they can do that anymore. I think in men's hockey they can.
[09:12]
A
Yeah. Sometimes you can get away with it if you're a little sneakier. Right.
[09:16]
B
For sure. And then no matter what is on the same vibe, an action that will happen. An action will happen regardless of obstacles or consequences. This is the most down to earth way to say it, isn't it?
[09:26]
A
Absolutely. And it's often more positive. Right. Someone might say, I'll support you no matter what. It's a little more general often. Right. We're not getting into. We're not saying I'll do whatever it takes. It's just like no matter what, I will always support you.
[09:40]
B
Yeah. It feels like it's the most accessible. It's the one I usually use.
[09:43]
A
Me too. I use it the most.
[09:45]
B
Yeah. Yeah. It's the one that's just available most often for some reason, linguistically speaking. Aubrey, There are others, but a few of them we can't say here on the podcast because they involve curse words.
[09:57]
A
There's a really fun one that has a similar meaning, but it has a curse word so we can't say it here in the podcast. I'm going to post about it in our community the day this episode drops. So if you are in one of our courses, look for that. If you're not, you need to sign up for one of our courses so that you can get that post.
[10:14]
B
Yeah. Our community is an amazingly vibrant place where students are connecting with each other. They're finding out about Open Conversation, Club Q and A, the times of the important student only clubs that happen too. I think someone just posted a brand new one coming up soon. We love this. This is the key part of our course system. When you join a course, you become a part of the community and there is a new course coming out. Another brand new course coming out in the next few weeks at Allers English. So take a look at what we have in the next couple of weeks, guys.
[10:43]
A
Yes. Awesome.
[10:47]
B
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[12:30]
A
Okay, yeah, I'll start us out. I can't believe the tickets for this concert sold out in 10 minutes.
[12:35]
B
I know. We have to get tickets by any means necessary.
[12:39]
A
We still have a chance. They're selling the front row seats to the first people in line the night of the concert.
[12:45]
B
I'm willing to go the day before and camp outside the box office overnight. I want to see this band at all costs.
[12:52]
A
I'm down. I've never waited in line overnight for anything, but I'll do whatever it takes to get these front row seats.
[12:58]
B
Let's do it. No matter what, we're getting those tickets. It's kind of fun. When you're young, you might do that. It makes me also think of Apple people, you know, iOS people. When. I'm not sure if people do that anymore, but when the iPhone was first launching the new versions, people would camp out to get it. Yeah.
[13:14]
A
You know, I always thought when we moved to New York, I was like, I. I wanted to go to, like, a taping of snl, Stephen Colbert. There were, like, shows I wanted to see, and I was probably. I was willing to get those tickets at all costs. But then it ended up being pretty easy. You could just, like, reserve them online for the night you wanted to go. So I never had to camp out anywhere.
[13:33]
B
I never did that when I lived in New York. And I so regret it. I feel like I didn't do some of the cool things that locals do. Right.
[13:40]
A
You were younger, so you were, like, too cool for that.
[13:42]
B
I was too cool, I guess. But that sounds like a really fun thing to do, go on SNL or any of the. The nighttime talk shows. Right.
[13:49]
A
I loved it. It was so fun. The best thing about going to a live taping of SNL is one of the cast members does, like, stand up to warm up the crowd. And it was Jason Sudeikis the night we were there. And it was so funny. I'm like, I can't believe. I'm, like, for free. Seeing, like, Jason Sudeika stand up live. It's amazing.
[14:04]
B
That's kind of insane. Yeah. There's some really cool things about living in New York. Also, the, the. The tickets that, like, when you go to Times Square and you go to the big TKTS office to get the cheap Broadway tickets.
[14:15]
A
You can do the lottery for a lot of shows. The front row. This is kind of what I was thinking here. Like, the front row lottery. We always were playing for those cheap seats.
[14:23]
B
Yep. There are benefits to being a local, that's for sure. All right, let's go through our role play here, Aubrey. So I'm saying we have to get tickets by any means necessary, so we'll do anything. Not anything, but that's where you can.
[14:35]
A
See the exaggeration here. Right. We're willing to sleep out overnight on the sidewalk. That's extreme. We would use these phrases for that. But, like, really, would we do anything?
[14:45]
B
I know.
[14:45]
A
There's actually a really funny song. I don't know if you ever saw Flight of the Concords where he writes this song for a girl and he's saying, I would do anything for you. And his friend kind of calls him out. He's like, would you really do anything? So he changes the song where he was like, I would give you a ride to the airport. He, like, starts listing things he actually would do. That's really funny.
[15:03]
B
I love that. That's awesome. And then what was the next phrase that was used here?
[15:08]
A
So then you said, I want to see this band at all costs. So it's just another interesting way of saying, I really want to see them. I'm willing to. To camp out to get these tickets.
[15:17]
B
Yeah. I can't think of any band that I'd be willing to camp out for. Honestly, I don't know.
[15:22]
A
I'm too old for that. I can't do that anymore. I. I don't like concerts that much anyway. But the. Often the tickets are too expensive if they sell out quickly. I'm like, oh, bummer.
[15:33]
B
Yeah, I'm not a huge concert person either. I feel like you have to stand a lot, which then I get tired.
[15:39]
A
Concert attending days are in my past. Yeah, I agree completely.
[15:45]
B
And then you said, I'm down. I've never waited in line for anything, but I'll do whatever it takes. Clearly, we are like 19 years old here, right?
[15:52]
A
Yeah, it does sound like it. Right. We're willing to sleep on the sidewalk overnight to get tickets. It sounds like we're pretty young.
[15:58]
B
Yeah, for sure. And then what. What did I say last?
[16:00]
A
And you said, let's do it no matter what. We're getting those tickets.
[16:04]
B
Yes. What's our takeaway for today's episode?
[16:07]
A
Yeah. I feel like one of the best things to connect about is something you're really passionate about. So if you are the type of person that would sleep on the sidewalk to get tickets, like what a fun thing to connect with people about and you need today's vocabulary to do it.
[16:20]
B
Yeah. And again, everyone has weird different niche interests. I mean, maybe it's a particular restaurant or some kind of festival that's really strange. But you love it. And so being able to show like your weirdness and your interest is a huge connection skill. Right Aubrey?
[16:36]
A
Absolutely. Maybe it's some crazy thing that you collect and you're going to share about that and say I would get this figurine by any means necessary. Maybe you're bidding on ebay for totally.
[16:45]
B
Or there's like a stamp collecting conference or something and you have to get those tickets. So don't be afraid as you are connecting with native speakers to show who you really are and show that weirdness. Right. That makes you interesting.
[16:57]
A
Absolutely. Own your weird. People are more interesting when they are open about whatever weird things they're interested in.
[17:04]
B
Totally. 100% good stuff today, Aubrey. Guys, hit the follow button on the show and we'll see you next time.
[17:10]
A
Awesome. See you next time.
[17:11]
B
All right, bye. 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/fluency score. And if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to sure make make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time. And Doug, here we have the Limu emu in its natural habitat helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.
[17:59]
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Uh, limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us?
[18:02]
B
Cut the camera. They see us.
[18:03]
A
Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty Liberty Liberty. Liberty Savings Fairy underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.
[18:13]
C
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