AEE 2506: Explain it to Me Like I'm Five. How to Ask for a Simple Breakdown in English

Summary

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Podcast Summary: All Ears English Episode 2506

Title: Explain it to Me Like I'm Five: How to Ask for a Simple Breakdown in English
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Release Date: November 3, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this lighthearted and practical episode, Lindsay and Michelle explore the playful yet useful phrase: “Explain it to me like I’m five.” They discuss when and how to use this expression (and similar phrases) to ask for clear, simple explanations in day-to-day interactions—especially when a topic feels overwhelming or unfamiliar. The hosts share relatable examples, cultural insights, and alternative ways to seek clarity while maintaining conversational flow and connection.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Does “Explain it to Me Like I’m Five” Mean?

• The phrase is a humorous and self-deprecating way to ask someone to break something down into the simplest terms possible.
• It's not literal; it signals you want no assumed prior knowledge.
• Michelle: “It’s just saying explain something in a way that assumes I know absolutely nothing about it.” (04:01)

When to Use the Phrase

• Social situations: Great for friends, family, or casual contexts.
• NOT recommended in professional/formal settings, or when addressing someone's expertise (09:32).
• Lindsay: “You don’t want that person to have a certain image of you, especially if it’s your expertise.” (09:50)

Variations

• Sometimes people use other ages (like “seven”), but “five” is most common.
• The essence is to signal, “I need this made really, really simple.” (06:43)

2. Cultural Context and Examples

• The hosts note that this phrase (and its variations) is frequently heard in casual American English, in movies, TV shows, and online.
• It’s seen as a little funny or cheeky, making it memorable and accessible.
• Michelle: “It’s kind of a little bit cheeky or funny. Right. And I’ve also seen it written. I’ve seen people on Facebook.” (07:11)

Example Scenarios

• Understanding a friend’s complicated job

• Dealing with confusing repair quotes

• Attempting to follow complicated sports rules

• Lindsay (example): “I want to understand your job but I know nothing about engineering—explain it to me like I'm five.” (07:32)

• Michelle (example): “I agree that my car needs to be fixed, but I'm confused by your quote—explain it to me like I’m five years old.” (08:17)

Everyday Topics They’d Need Explained

• Investing and the stock market
• Cars and auto mechanics
• The rules of American football or other sports
• “Honestly, a lot of things regarding like investing in the stock market... I just don’t really always get it.” —Lindsay (08:20)

3. Alternative Phrases for “Explain it to Me Like I’m Five”

If “Explain it to me like I’m five” feels awkward, inappropriate, or you want a less playful option, try these:

• “Give me the kindergarten version / little kid version.”
  • “I really want to understand how this tech works—give me the kindergarten version.” (12:19)
• “Break it down for me.”
  • Means to divide something into simple, clear steps.
  • Michelle: “Break it down. It’s like, you know, put it into steps, put it into pieces, really explain it.” (12:26)
• “Dumb it down for me.”
  (Caution: Borderline impolite/un-PC. Use self-directed only.)
  • Lindsay: “If you’re asking someone to explain it to you, it’s probably okay... But if you’re saying that about what you have to do for someone else, it’s probably not the kindest.” (12:55)
• “Can you simplify this for me?”
• “Can you make this super simple for me / super clear?”
  • “The rules look pretty complicated—can you simplify this for me?” (13:43)

4. Roleplay: Using Multiple Phrases in Context

(14:50–16:50)

The hosts model a conversation at a basketball game, demonstrating how these expressions sound naturally in dialogue:

• Lindsay: “Okay, but can you explain it to me like I’m five years old?” (15:00)
• Michelle: “Okay, so look at the two baskets. There’s five players out at once on each team...”
• Lindsay: “Wait, give me the kindergarten version. What do the positions do?” (15:09)
• Michelle: “Okay, well the center is usually the big player.”
• Lindsay: “Okay, break it down for me.” (15:17)

This illustrates how to use different phrases as the conversation progresses, especially when the explanation is still too complicated or unclear.

5. Relationship and Connection Takeaways

• Using these expressions demonstrates humility, willingness to learn, and a genuine interest in others’ passions, hobbies, or work.
• Strengthens connections with people whose interests or careers differ from yours.
• Lindsay: “At some point, we might want to ask the questions... How important are these people in your life, and how frequent is this thing? At some point, we might want to ask the questions.” (18:00)

6. Fun, Language, and Tone

• The episode displays typical AEE warmth, humor, and encouragement for learners to take risks and focus on “connection, not perfection.”
• Michelle quips, “Watch out for five-year-olds,” when discussing real children overhearing the expression. (14:34)
• Tips for use: These expressions are casual, friendly, and work best when you want to invite more connection and understanding.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s just saying, explain something in a way that assumes I know absolutely nothing about it.” —Michelle (04:01)
• “Sometimes when we know so much about something, we sort of assume that certain things are known by other people that aren’t. So we skip steps in our explanations. Right?” —Lindsay (04:28)
• “This is very casual and slangy, and it’s also kind of self-deprecating... You don’t want to use this with your boss.” —Michelle (09:32)
• “Break it down. It’s like, you know, put it into steps, put it into pieces, really explain it.” —Michelle (12:26)
• “Can you make this super simple for me or super clear?” —Lindsay (14:05)
• “How important are these people to you in your life? And how frequent is this thing, this game or this career they’re talking about?” —Lindsay (18:00)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:12—Meditation explained “like I'm five”: Introduction to the main phrase
• 04:01—What the phrase actually means and its tone
• 07:32—Natural examples of the phrase in everyday contexts
• 08:20—Topics people often need explained simply (investing, cars, football)
• 09:32—Advice on when not to use these expressions (formal/professional settings)
• 12:16—Alternative ways to ask for simple explanations
• 14:50—Roleplay: using phrases at a basketball game
• 17:19—Big takeaway: These phrases bring people together through curiosity and connection

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Practical Takeaways

• “Explain it to me like I’m five” and its variations open the door to clearer understanding—without embarrassment.
• Knowing alternative expressions makes you sound both fluent and considerate.
• Using these phrases is about showing interest and respect, not about sounding ignorant.
• Make sure to match the phrase to the context and relationship—cheeky in casual settings, more neutral in formal ones.

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Final Thoughts

Lindsay and Michelle encourage listeners to use these phrases to foster connection, demystify confusing topics, and strengthen relationships. Whether it’s sports, jobs, or tech, asking for simple clarity can break down barriers—and, as always, it’s about connection, not perfection.

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Transcript

[A]

This is an All Ears English podcast, episode 2506. Explain it to me like I'm five how to ask for a Simple Breakdown in English.

[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 hosts Learning Lindsey McMahon, the English adventurer, and Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl coming to you from Colorado and New York City, usa. And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com subscribe are there certain sports or careers that you simply don't understand? If someone in your life participates in these, you may need a clear explanation today. Find out how to ask for this for better connection the countdown is on. Holiday shopping season is officially here. Uncommon Goods takes the stress out of gifting, but thousands of unique, high quality finds you won't see anywhere else. Don't wait. The most meaningful gifts get scooped up fast and now's the perfect time to cross names off your list. Uncommon Goods looks for products that are high quality, unique and often handmade or made in the U.S. many are crafted by independent artists and small businesses, making every gift feel meaningful and truly one of a kind. Just like learning the basics of grammar is key to getting started with English. I've heard that knife skills are the foundation for good cooking. Since I want to learn to cook this year I went to Uncommon Goods and found an authentic Thai chef's knife called the Moon Knife. Created in a small village in Thailand by talented artists, it's perfect for cutting pork or poultry. With a hand forged tool like this, I feel even more excited to improve my cooking. So don't wait. Cross those names off your list before the rush. To get 15% off your next gift, go to uncommongoods.com AEE that's U N C O M M O n g o o-sh.com AEE for 15 off Uncommon Goods we're all out of the ordinary Hello Michelle, how's everything going today?

[A]

I'm good Lindsay. How are you?

[B]

Good, doing great. What are we getting into on the show today?

[A]

Well Lindsay, I don't know. I'm kind of interested in meditation and I know that you are a meditation pro, but can you kind of explain meditation to me like I'm five years old?

[B]

Yeah, basically meditation is the simple art of sitting down and watching your mind. Though a five year old might not get that the way I just explained that, I'd have to think about how to explain it to you like you're a five year old. But good challenge, Michelle.

[A]

Good challenge.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Today we are going to talk about an interesting and kind of funny way that people ask others to simplify something for them. Lindsay and I just used it. So I said, explain it to me like I'm 5 years old. Do you ever hear people saying this?

[B]

Oh, yeah, this is a fun one. I mean, yeah, I've heard this in real life. I've heard it in the movies, on TV shows. It's an emphatic way for you to tell someone. Just break this down, make it very simple for me.

[A]

Right? Yep. Yeah, yeah, I hear it pretty frequently. Yeah. And again, it's not literal. You don't need to really. But it, but it, it. It's just saying explain something in a way that assumes I know absolutely nothing about it. I have no prior knowledge.

[B]

They don't know.

[A]

Right. You have to really break it down, make it simple. Kind of, I don't know, a little bit of an insult to five year olds. But like.

[B]

Right, right, right, right. But it's a good practice. I mean, sometimes when we know so much about something, we sort of assume that certain things are known by other people that aren't. So we skip steps in our explanations. Right?

[A]

Yes, exactly. So we're going to talk more about this today. But before we get into it, guys, we have results from one of our Spotify polls. Do Spotify polls on every episode? Pretty much. I think there's a poll. Maybe not the. Yeah, everyone.

[B]

Yeah, everyone.

[A]

Yes. But there are certain special ones where we announce them over the air and then we do read the results once we get them. So this one was from the episode, episode 2481. And the question was. Lindsay, could you read the question?

[B]

Yeah, the question was, this is a very interesting one because I feel like culture plays in here too. Is it ever okay to lie?

[A]

Yes. Yes.

[B]

To what extent is the truth flexible?

[D]

Right.

[B]

Really interesting and different around the world, I think.

[A]

Yes. So the. It was. Is it ever okay to lie? And yeah, the. The two options were yes to spare someone's feeling or no. So what were the answers?

[B]

Yeah, so 57 of our audience believes, yes, it is okay to lie to spare someone's feelings. So do I look okay in this dress? Yes, it looks great. Right? Maybe not the best, but you don't want to hurt someone.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Especially if they can't change what's going on about them. Right. Y. And then 42% of us thought, no, it's not okay, really.

[A]

Interesting. Yeah, it is interesting. So again, this was from episode 2481, and that was called, Truth be told, these idioms will improve your English. So if you haven't listened to that episode, go ahead and check it out. Yes.

[B]

So coming back again. So Michelle coming back to explain this to me like I'm a five year old or. Or I've heard seven year old too. I don't know if. I don't know if that is that number. Like a hard part.

[A]

Probably not. I think right here, five the most. But I mean, I.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Choose your. I mean, it'd be funny if it was like, explain it to me like I'm a 32 year old. Right.

[B]

As long as you're below 10.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You're probably good to go. Yeah.

[C]

Right.

[B]

I have heard seven and then I've heard five. But yeah. So it's a little flexible, the number you want to throw in there. The point is the phrase. Okay.

[A]

Right. And it's not something that you're gonna use all the time. Right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

If you were just saying that all the time, it's, you know, comes out every once in a while. It's kind of a little bit cheeky or funny. Right. And I've also seen it written. I've seen people on Facebook.

[C]

Right.

[A]

Oh, explain this to me like I'm five years old.

[D]

Okay.

[A]

So just. It's a. It's an interesting one. So let's do some examples.

[B]

Okay, Here we go. I want to understand your job, but I know nothing about engineering. Explain it to me like I'm five years old.

[A]

Okay. Yeah. Do you have friends where you have no idea what they do? Yeah.

[B]

Yes, absolutely. Most of them. I mean. And they probably have no idea what I do. It's. But some jobs in particular. Right, Right, right. Complicated sometimes. Right.

[A]

And then you ask your friend what they do and they start going into it and you didn't, you know, you just bored in. Your eyes glaze over. It's like, wait, I don't know. All right, I shouldn't have asked this. Yeah. Because I don't understand it. So. Yeah, but here's another. Another example. Okay. I agree that my car needs to be f. I'm confused by your quote. Explain it to me like I'm five years old.

[B]

Nice. Nice. Yeah. And so what. What are the things that we would need explained to us as if you're five years old? Honestly, a lot of things regarding, like investing in the stock market, the bond market. I find I. I just don't really always get it to Be honest. Shamefully, I just don't get it.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, for me, I'd also say anything about cars.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

You know, I don't really know anything about cars. Also, you know football, I mean, I get, I get the very basics, but sure, certain plays, I. Sometimes when I'm trying to watch football with people, I can't even find where the ball.

[B]

Oh, I have the same problem. And football's a huge part of my family that I married into. I could. I'm staring down at Thanksgiving coming up in a couple of weeks with a lot of football. I'm sure you are too, Michelle.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

That's a good expression. By the way, bonus for today. Staring down.

[A]

Staring down. Yeah.

[B]

We should come in another day. Yeah. Yeah. Well. Or anything about outer space. I don't really get it. I don't really get the space shuttle and how it gets up there, how it leaves the earth's atmosphere. Yeah. There's a lot to not get in the world. Yeah.

[A]

So again, remember that this is very casual and slangy and it's also kind of self deprecating in a way. So you don't want to use this. I wouldn't say this to your boss. Right. I wouldn't say. I don't understand this. Explain it to me like it's five years old. You don't want. You don't want that person to have a certain image of you, especially if it's your expertise.

[B]

Area of expertise.

[A]

No, no, no, no, no, no.

[B]

So this is more for your daily life when the topic veers into something that's just not in your wheelhouse. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Love it.

[C]

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[B]

All right, Michelle, what else do we need to know here?

[A]

All right, so if you want to use this idea, but you're not really comfortable with this expression. Right. Because. Yeah, we told you it's a little bit. It's a little bit different. Right. And you want other ways to say a similar thing. We're going to go over some ideas. So one thing you could say is give me the blank version. So you could say, like, give me the kindergarten version or give me the little kid version.

[B]

Give me the. The simple version.

[A]

Right.

[B]

I really want to understand how this tech works. Give me the kindergarten version. Yeah, sure.

[A]

You could do that.

[B]

We're picking on kids today. But it's true.

[A]

Yeah, I know, I know. I feel if, if my son heard this epis, he'd be furious. Or you could say, break it down for me. Now, Lindsay, you kind of touched on this one earlier in the episode, so break it down. It's like, you know, put it into steps, put it into pieces, really explain it. Sometimes you might hear someone say, like, dumb it down for me. Not sure if that's politically correct.

[B]

Yeah, I would be careful with this one a little bit. I think if you're, if you're asking someone to explain it to you, it's probably okay. Right. Because dumb it down for me, meaning I don't get it. So I need you. Like, it's probably okay, but if you're saying that about what you have to do for someone else, it's probably not the kindest thing to say.

[A]

Yeah, I would say we've gonna. I did want to let you know about that one because you might hear it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But I would say, for saying things, I would say, probably stick with the other ones. But if you hear someone say that, you know, it means know what's going on. Right, Exactly. So you could say, I really don't understand the ins and outs of golf. Could. Can you break it down for me?

[B]

Yes. Or really more clear. Could you simplify this for me or could you make this super simple for me?

[D]

Right.

[B]

The rules look pretty Complicated. Look here, can you simplify this for me? Yeah. Like we said, football rules are very complex. A lot of sports have very complex rules, Michelle.

[A]

Yes. Which, I mean, there, there are so many more things you could say. What do you think? Which are you most likely to.

[B]

I like, can you make this super simple for me or super clear? Yeah, yeah. Or can you break this down for me? I like.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, those are, those are the, those are the very neutral ones. Like, you can't go wrong with these. Even the five year old one, that's a little, you know, you have to think about. Do you want to say something like that? It's a bit different.

[B]

Yeah. It kind of depends on who's around, I guess. Right. If there is a five year old around, they might say, what do you mean?

[A]

Right, right. Watch out for five year olds.

[B]

Right, right, right. Make sure it's just adults in the room.

[A]

Right? Yeah, exactly. So let's put this together in a role play. We're not going to use all of these, but we're going to use a lot. So here we are watching a basketball game together.

[B]

Perfect. Okay, so I've never been into basketball.

[A]

Oh, it's easy to understand, Lindsay.

[B]

Okay, but can you explain it to me like I'm five years old?

[A]

Okay, so look at the two baskets. There's five players out at once on each team and they're the center, a point guard, all that good stuff.

[B]

Okay, wait, give me the kindergarten version. What do the positions do?

[A]

Okay, well, the center is usually the big player.

[B]

Okay, break it down for. Break it down for me. Sorry, my voice is off today.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yes, Podcasters need their voice. Yeah, yeah. So this is a good example. So you're explaining. I see. You chose not to explain football but basketball. Right?

[A]

That's funny.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I couldn't have written the football.

[B]

Nope, nope, nope, nope. So, yeah, so I'm saying I don't. I've never been into basketball. Maybe we're at a basketball. We are at a basketball game. And then you said, okay, but can you explain it to me like I'm 5 years old or can you explain it to me like I'm a five year old old?

[A]

Yeah, you could say that too. And also you could use that. Like, let's say somebody explains something in a fast way and you're like, wait, wait, wait, wait. This was not. Can you slow it down? It's now. Right. So it's kind of also a good thing to say when somebody's already given you an explanation and it's still. And they kind of maybe use some words that were confusing that dealt like some jargon. And you said, wait, just. You're kind of saying, start over.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But then you said, okay, wait, give me the kindergarten version. And this one. I kind of just. I don't know that I hear this, that, that much. But yeah, I would say, I would say it. People would know what I mean.

[B]

Yep. And then you said, well, the center is usually the big player. And then I'm asking for further explanation of like, other positions probably. And so I said, okay, break it down for me. And maybe that would follow up with a question. What about this guy over here in the corner? What's he doing? Right, right.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. So, yeah, but these are just all really great ways to ask someone to explain something in a. In a clear way that, you know, takes into account that you don't have a prior knowledge about something.

[B]

Yeah. I mean. So guys, check out 224 81. Is that the episode that we just mentioned earlier?

[A]

Yeah, that's the one about.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

About the truth, truth be told. So remember to check out that and any. Any other takeaways for today.

[B]

Yeah, I think this is about relationships and connection because many times people in our lives either work in a job or they follow a sport that, frankly, it's not easy to understand on the surface, on. On the, on its face. Like, we can't just understand it right away.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So you have a choice. Do you just ignore it and kind of never share that thing with them maybe, or do you actually ask them to explain it to you like you're five years old so you can actually share? You know, like, I feel like one of these days I need to sit down and ask my in laws to really explain football to me. Like I'm five years old so I can actually, like, enjoy these, these Thanksgivings.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And like, know what's going on instead of staring into. Staring at the wall while the TV's on? You know, like, how much is this, how important are these people to you in your life? And how frequent is this thing, this game or this career they're talking about? They're coming home talking about their career. At some point we might want to ask the questions. Right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Love it.

[A]

All right, great takeaway. And yeah, everyone, thank you so much for listening. And Lindsay, I'll see you next time.

[B]

All right, see you next time, Michelle. Take care.

[A]

Bye. Bye.

[B]

Thanks for listening. To all ears. English. Would you like to know your English level? Take our 2 minute quiz, go to allearsenglish.com forward/fluency score. And if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to 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 More Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug. Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us?

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