All Ears English Podcast: Episode 2519

Title: Don't Take It Literally! Four New English Expressions
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan
Date: November 25, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Lindsay and Michelle explore four common English expressions that don’t mean exactly what the words suggest—expressions you should NOT take literally. The hosts break down their meanings, usage, and share stories, role plays, and cultural insights to help English learners sound more natural and fluent. They focus on using everyday idioms and metaphors that are common in American English, building language skills around “connection, not perfection.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction – Literal vs. Metaphorical Language

• The hosts start with a playful conversation about head lice, pivoting to the episode’s real theme: expressions that are physical in wording, but metaphorical in use.
• Michelle: “We’re not talking about lice today...but we are going to talk about an expression that has to do with the word head and scratching. It’s more metaphorical though. So: ‘head scratcher.’” (03:31)

2. Expression 1: “Head Scratcher”

Meaning:

• Used to describe something confusing or difficult to understand.
• Example scenarios: instructions, sports rules, strange situations.

Notable Quotes & Examples:

• Lindsay: “Something that is a head scratcher is something that is hard to figure out.” (04:04)
• Lindsay: “A lot of sports rules...can be a little bit of a head scratcher for me.” (05:20)
• Example: “I want to build my own furniture, but the directions are a real head scratcher.” (05:56)

Usage Tips:

• Informal, but not slang.
• "A real head scratcher" is more emphatic.
• Can apply to situations, instructions, choices, or even outfits.

3. Expression 2: “Hit Me”

Meaning:

• Means “tell me” or “give me the information,” especially when bracing for something surprising or potentially negative.

Notable Quotes & Examples:

• Michelle: “Is this actually saying hit me?” (10:38)
• Lindsay: “No, it’s basically saying, give me the information. Tell me something. Even if it’s something that’s going to give an impact.” (10:38)
• Role Play:
  • Lindsay: “Hey, I have a story to tell you, but you might not like it.”
  • Michelle: “All right, hit me.” (11:00)

Additional Insight:

• Other uses: “It hit me” (for realizations).
• Can be confused with literal use in contexts like sports, so knowing the situation is key.

4. Expression 3: “Drop It”

Meaning:

• Means to let go of a topic, issue, or argument—stop pursuing or discussing it.

Notable Quotes & Examples:

• Lindsay: “Let something go, right? Stop talking about something is what this means.” (12:05)
• Michelle: “I really wanted to ask him about a raise, but I’m going to drop it until next year.” (12:12)
• Michelle: “I wish she would just drop it.” (15:22)

5. Expression 4: “Spit It Out”

Meaning:

• Used to encourage someone to say something they’re hesitating to say; “Just say it!”

Notable Quotes & Examples:

• Lindsay: “Please don’t spit. This is when you tell someone something that may be tough for you to say. They say, ‘come on, just spit it out.’ Just say it.” (13:19)
• Role Play:
  • Lindsay: “I don’t know how to say this...”
  • Michelle: “Oh, come on Lindsay, just spit it out.” (13:41)

Usage Tip:

• Very informal, not appropriate for formal work settings.

6. Application Through Role Play

• The hosts reconstruct a real-world, relatable scenario: trying to assemble furniture, and mix in all the learned expressions.
• Key moments of the role play demonstrate all four expressions in use in a natural, friendly conversation (14:55–15:24).
• Lindsay: “Michelle, spit it out.” (14:58)
• Lindsay: “They are a head scratcher for sure.” (15:12)
• Lindsay: “Hit me. Do we have to start over?” (15:16)
• Michelle: “I wish she would just drop it.” (15:22)

7. Discussion: Literal vs. Metaphorical in English

• The hosts wrap up with general advice:
  • Lindsay: “One key piece of fluency is understanding what is actually literal and what is not literal.” (18:02)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Michelle: “And don't hit. Don't spit and don't hit. If you don't do those things, you'll be just fine.” (17:19)
• Lindsay: “It’s true in our listeners’ languages too. Not everything is literal and you—one key piece of fluency is understanding what is actually literal and what is not literal.” (18:02)
• Michelle: “These are all common, useful...they’re kind of fun and, and yeah, enjoy.” (17:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:31 – Introduction to “head scratcher”
• 05:56 – Example: Using “head scratcher” with furniture
• 10:38 – Introduction to “hit me” (metaphorical use)
• 11:00–11:02 – Role Play: “All right, hit me.”
• 12:05 – Introduction to “drop it”
• 12:12 – Example: “I’m going to drop it until next year”
• 13:19 – Introduction to “spit it out”
• 13:41 – Role Play: “Just spit it out.”
• 14:55–15:24 – Compound role play using all the expressions
• 17:19 – “Don’t spit and don’t hit” closing advice
• 18:02 – Fluency advice—literal vs. metaphorical meaning

Final Takeaways

• These four English expressions—head scratcher, hit me, drop it, and spit it out—are perfect examples of phrases you shouldn’t take literally.
• Understanding contexts and cultural cues is critical; literal interpretation could lead to misunderstandings.
• The episode encourages learners to experiment with these phrases in casual, friendly settings to build natural, native-like fluency.

If you want to speak more like a native and connect, not just perfect your grammar, these expressions are a great place to start!

“As long as you’re not spitting or hitting, you’re good. Pretty much.”
— Michelle Kaplan (17:49)