AEE 2523: Your English Is Nothing to Sneeze At

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Ears English Podcast

Episode 2523: Your English Is Nothing to Sneeze At
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Release Date: December 2, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode centers around the English idiom “nothing to sneeze at” and how to use it to encourage yourself and others. Lindsay and Michelle explore its usage, related expressions, and the importance of positive communication for building connections. The conversation provides practical examples, personal stories, and a role-play, all aimed at intermediate and advanced ESL learners looking to enrich their vocabulary and communication skills.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Allergies and Idiom Introduction

• [02:53] Michelle and Lindsay discuss allergies (“do you get allergies where you sneeze a lot?”) as a playful segue into the idiom.
• [03:30] The phrase “nothing to sneeze at” is introduced.
  • Michelle: “I actually heard somebody just say it recently.”
  • Lindsay: “Basically means that it's something that's important or has value in some way…you shouldn't ignore it or think it isn't worthwhile.” ([03:53])

2. Meaning and Usage of “Nothing to Sneeze At”

• [04:05] The idiom is explained as a way to recognize or validate value and achievements.
• Examples are given:
  • Grades/Achievements:
    • “Getting a 3.7 GPA is nothing to sneeze at. I'm sure she will get into a great school.” ([05:47] – Michelle)
    • Lindsay: “You're basically saying…this is a big deal...Don't ignore it. Don't downplay it.” ([05:59])
  • Monetary Offers:
    • “An offer of $500,000 on your house is nothing to sneeze at.” ([06:11])
  • Everyday Accomplishments:
    • “The fact that everyone ate your cake and liked it is nothing to sneeze at.” ([06:29] – Michelle)

3. When to Use the Expression

• Self-Encouragement & Encouraging Others:
  • Used for highlighting accomplishments, even if they seem minor to the person who achieved them.
  • Lindsay: “The human mind tends to see our own shortcomings before we see what we've done well...That's normal.” ([10:00])

4. Personal Examples

• [09:14] Lindsay and Michelle reflect on their own lives:
  • Michelle: “All the moves I made in the past year are not nothing to sneeze at.”
  • Lindsay: “All Ears English has been thriving as a company for 10 years...but I might focus on what we haven't done yet.” ([10:00])

5. Related Expressions

• Not to Be Taken Lightly ([11:38])
  • Similar in meaning; emphasizes seriousness or importance.
  • Examples:
    • “Running a marathon is nothing to be taken lightly.” ([12:08] – Lindsay)
    • “Starting a business is really hard...it's not to be taken lightly, for sure.” ([12:16] – Michelle)
• Nothing to Scoff At ([12:29])
  • Almost synonymous; highlights value or achievement.
  • Examples:
    • “Getting second place in the spelling bee is nothing to scoff at.” ([13:03] – Lindsay)

6. Role Play: Using the Expressions in Conversation

• Scenario: Michelle feels disappointed after selling at a craft fair; Lindsay encourages her using all three expressions.
  • Michelle: “It was my first one, but I thought it would go better than it did.”
  • Lindsay: “Putting yourself out there at your first show is not to be taken lightly.” ([13:50])
  • Michelle: “I only made a hundred dollars.”
  • Lindsay: “A hundred dollars is nothing to sneeze at.” ([13:59])
  • Michelle: “I have 50 followers, which is nothing to scoff at, but I should get more.” ([14:03])
• Discussion follows on how these expressions offer encouragement and perspective for both friends and oneself.

7. Takeaway: Importance of Encouragement and Connection

• [15:38] Michelle highlights encouraging friends as a “huge connection skill.”
  • “Your friend is kind of down on himself or herself...you're picking out the positives that maybe this person isn't realizing because they're their own worst critic, which is so common.” ([15:46])
• Lindsay: “If you use [these phrases] too much, it'll have less meaning. Right. So save it for things that you actually think are great that they did.” ([16:23])
• Emphasis on using these expressions authentically and listening as well as encouraging.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Recognizing Achievements:
  • “It's almost a way of like, somebody puts themselves down and you're kind of encouraging them. Or maybe you're encouraging yourself.” — Michelle ([09:26])
• On Self-Criticism:
  • “The brain is wired to find shortcomings…it’s true.” — Lindsay ([11:20])
• On Encouragement:
  • “You're encouraging me. You're helping me get out of my own head.” — Michelle ([14:50])
• On Connection Skills:
  • “What a huge connection skill…You're picking out the positives…” — Michelle ([15:46])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:30 — Introduction and explanation of “nothing to sneeze at”
• 05:47 — Examples with academic and financial scenarios
• 09:14 — Personal reflections on accomplishments and self-encouragement
• 11:38 — Related expressions: “Not to be taken lightly” and “Nothing to scoff at”
• 13:31 — Role play using all three expressions
• 15:38 — Takeaway: The importance of positive encouragement and building connections

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Tone and Style

The episode is friendly and supportive, characteristic of Lindsay and Michelle’s approachable teaching style. They blend practical language advice with encouragement, sharing personal anecdotes and relatable scenarios to help listeners connect language learning with daily life and relationships.

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Final Takeaway

Learning and using phrases like “nothing to sneeze at,” “not to be taken lightly,” and “nothing to scoff at” is not just about mastering vocabulary—these are real-world tools for encouraging yourself and those around you. Employing them thoughtfully helps strengthen connections and adds nuance to everyday English communication. As always, the All Ears English Podcast champions “connection, not perfection” as the key to genuine language use and human connection.

Transcript

[Lindsay McMahon]

This is an All Ears English podcast.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Episode 2523. Your English is nothing to sneeze at.

[Lindsay McMahon]

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, Lindsay McMahon, the English adventurer, and Michelle Kaplan, the.

[Michelle Kaplan]

New York radio girl coming to you.

[Lindsay McMahon]

From Colorado and New York City, usa. To get real time transcripts right on your phone and create your personalized vocabulary list, try the All Ears English app for iOS and Android. Start your seven day free trial at allearsenglish.com forward/app.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Today get one of the most important connection skills in the English language. Learn how to encourage your friends when they don't see the value of their accomplishments. Listen in to gain a key skill for building your community. Today.

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[Lindsay McMahon]

Hello Michelle. How are you today?

[Michelle Kaplan]

I'm good Lindsay. How are you feeling?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Good, good. Michelle, do you get allergies where you sneeze a lot? Are you someone with allergies like in the springtime?

[Michelle Kaplan]

I think as I've gotten older I do have some but I am allergic to cats. Oh yeah? Yeah. I mean my friend recently got two cats and she was really worried about me and the first time I was over, we all had to go outside. But then I seem to have, I don't know, may she vacuumed more? I don't know.

But yeah.

Are you allergic to anything?

[Lindsay McMahon]

I'm, I'm not allergic to anything. Not really. Not really. I, I met someone last week who's allergic to dogs and I was like, oh no, I feel so bad.

[Michelle Kaplan]

That's bad.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, that's bad. But I've heard an expression out in the native speaking world, nothing to sneeze at. Michelle, have you heard that one before?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, I actually heard somebody just say it recently.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So yeah, this is pretty. Pretty. I wouldn't say it's like the most common, but it's, but you will hear it and. Yeah. Lindsay, what does this mean?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Well, basically means that it's something that's important or has value in some way. Like you shouldn't ignore it or you shouldn't think that it isn't worthwhile or that we shouldn't look at it.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right.

It's nothing to sneeze at.

[Lindsay McMahon]

It's a little less common, but it is definitely out there for sure. Right. And what was the context that you.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Heard it in, Michelle?

I wish I could remember, but that's when I jotted it down. I wish I could. I, I know. I, I, I normally try and remember how I heard it, but I can't remember.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Maybe you were at like a Halloween party or something. I don't know.

[Michelle Kaplan]

It could have been that. It could have been.

[Lindsay McMahon]

That could have been. Before we go any deeper into this awesome episode where we're going to learn a clear native English phrase, I want to say a huge thank you to those who have reviewed our Android app. Michelle, are you ready for this?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes.

[Lindsay McMahon]

All right, so big thank you to Bassey Bassey, who left us an amazing 5 star review. Thank you, Mo Mosaf Mozafari, lan Pereira. Thank you to Mehmet Demir, Yazamine Gunai and JJ Kim. All of these people left reviews in October and November. And Michelle, why do we love to read our listeners reviews? I mean, it's obvious.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Oh my gosh. Because you guys are the greatest. And you know, to, to see what you think of the show and how, what it means to you, it, it really, it makes us real. It real for us. Right. Because Lindsay and I are to each other on the computer right now and we're looking at, you know, but we're not, you know, currently talking to our listeners. So it's great for then to hear what you guys Think and how the show affects you.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Exactly. So go and take the time to leave us a review wherever you listen. Spotify, Apple Podcast, iOS app, Android app. And don't forget, guys, we do have an app where you can see the transcripts for the show. You can tap on keywords, save them to your personal power list. You can get [e-mail] app.

[Michelle Kaplan]

All right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Good.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Perfect. All right, so let's get into nothing to sneeze at. So here's an example. Getting a 3.7 GPA is nothing to sneeze at. I'm sure she will get into a great school.

Nice.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. Nothing. That's a great example. Right. You're basically saying, this is a big deal, that this person got a 3.7 GPA. Don't ignore it. Don't downplay it.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right, right. Don't downplay it. I like that. Yeah.

Here's another one.

[Lindsay McMahon]

An offer of $500,000 on your house is nothing to sneeze at.

[Michelle Kaplan]

There's still a little more. It's still a little more than you were expecting.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right. So maybe the person's like, oh, we only got 500k, it's not that big of a deal, and their friend is trying to put things in perspective.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right, Right. Exactly. Or here we go. I know you don't feel great about how your cake turned out, but the fact that everyone ate it and liked it is nothing to sneeze at. Somebody baked a cake, they didn't really love the design or they were kind of self conscious, and this person is saying, hey, like, look, everybody ate it.

Every.

Everybody liked it. It's nothing to sneeze at. Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I mean, what kinds of situations, Michelle, would we find ourselves using? Nothing to sneeze at?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. I mean, I think it's for accomplishments. You know, it's. It's something even with money like, oh, 500k is nothing to sneeze at. Saying some things at a certain caliber. Yeah, yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Amounts of something.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Scores. Maybe. If. Maybe scores.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I mean, I'm sure you knew people in school who are just perfectionists, and they wanted to get 100 on every Test, but that's nearly impossible. So they got a 99. And then someone might say, come on, a 99 is nothing to sneeze.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Nothing to sneeze at, Right?

[Lindsay McMahon]

I wish.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Exactly. Exactly.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

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[Lindsay McMahon]

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[Lindsay McMahon]

Indeed. Okay, Michelle, we are back. So do we have any examples in our own life? I mean, I'm sure there are plenty of.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Them.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. What about you.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Michelle? Yeah, so I mean for me, I would say, you know, last year, remember, what did we have? Michelle's something.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Summer. Oh, your topsy turvy.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Summer. Topsy turvy summer.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. So I would say I made a lot of moves in the past year. And I could say all the moves I made in the past year are not nothing to sneeze at. So, you know, it's almost, it's almost like for example, let's say I was talking to a friend and I would. And I was kind of saying, oh no, I. I haven't accomplished this or that. I haven't. I. I still have boxes. I still. Whatever. And they might say, look at all you've done in the past year. That's nothing to sneeze at. So, sure. It's almost a way of like somebody puts themselves down and you're kind of encouraging them. Or maybe you're encouraging.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yourself. Yeah, I think the human mind tends to see our own shortcomings before we see what we've done. Well, like that is normal. That's. That's the mind protecting itself from the tiger in the cave. Right? That's normal. Like another example over here would be with all there's English, I mean, you know, maybe I would be talking to someone and oh, you Know, we're a small company. You've been around for 10 years, and they say 10 years. 10 years is nothing to sneeze at, you know? And it's true. Like, Allers English has been thriving as a company for 10 years. But I might not recognize that, or I might focus on what we haven't done.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yet. Right, right. It's like the expression, you're your own worst.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Critic. Sure. Isn't that true? Do you feel like you're a harsh self critic.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Michelle? Yeah, I do think I've gotten better over the years, I.

Think.

Yeah. You know, as you get a little older, you get a little more secure, you kind of get more comfortable even in your flaws and more accepting. What do you.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Think? Yeah, I having this conversation with someone in her 30s yesterday, and she was saying somewhere between 35 and 40, you have this, like, you level with yourself and you're like, look, this is who I.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Am.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. And I'm gonna love myself as I am and I'm gonna embrace my weirdness, my quirks. Maybe I have some things to improve, but it's just who I.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Am. And that's a nice freeing.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Moment. But, yeah, I mean, the brain is wired to find shortcomings. It's true.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. Yep. Exactly. So, all right, let's talk about a couple other expressions that. Not exactly the same necessarily, but. So the first one is not to be taken.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Lightly.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. So this one is pretty similar, but it's. It can be used in a couple different ways. I mean, we could do a whole episode on this.

[Lindsay McMahon]

One.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. If you say not to be taken lightly, it's basically saying something is serious. But it can also be used in this kind of a. In. In a similar way to what we've been talking about. Nothing to sneeze.

At. Yeah, I.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Agree. It could be used as a warning, you know, like, for example, running a marathon is nothing to be taken lightly. You need to start hydrating two days in advance. Right. That's kind of a.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Warning.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. But, yeah, in this case, you ran a.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Marathon. Oh, my.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Gosh. That's not to be taken.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Lightly. That's.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Huge. Congratulations. Right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So. Right, right. So it can be. It's a little bit different, but similar ideas. So, for example, starting a business is really hard to give yourself credit. It's not to be taken lightly, for.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Sure. And the next one I love. Nothing to scoff at. Yeah, that's good. Scoff. What a weird word.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right? I.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Know.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

Yeah. I mean, this again, I would say it's pretty much the same I. I did when I was looking up this expression. I do. There's very slight differences, but honestly, I would say they're.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Negligible. Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it, guys. So here's an example sentence. Getting second place in the spelling bee is nothing to scoff at. Or getting 99 on that exam is nothing to scoff at. Right. Same as the example we had before. That one's probably the most similar.

[Michelle Kaplan]

To. Yes.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Exactly. To sneeze at. Nothing to scoff.

[Michelle Kaplan]

At. Lindsay, are you a good.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Speller? I've actually always been a pretty good.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Speller.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. Yeah. That's one of my strengths, I would say. I didn't win any spelling bees or anything. No, that. Not to that level, but usually I can spell things.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Okay. Yeah. I've always.

Been.

Yeah. Say. I would say.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Same. Yeah. All right, Michelle, let's do a role play, because we know that all there's. English listeners love role plays. Who are we here in this.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Scenario? Who are we? So we are friends. And I'm a little disappointed because I was selling items at a craft fair. Like, I kind of set up my own little stand, and I didn't. It didn't go as well as I'd.

Hoped.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay. All right, let's see what we do.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Here.

Okay. Okay. It was my first one, but I thought it would go better than it.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Did. Michelle, give yourself credit. Putting yourself out there at your first show is not to be taken.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Lightly. I know, but I only made a hundred.

Dollars. Hundred dollars is nothing to sneeze at. Again, it's your first.

Time. I know, but I'll need to up my social media. I have 50 followers, which is nothing to scoff at, but I should get.

[Lindsay McMahon]

More. I can help you think of ways to grow.

[Michelle Kaplan]

It. Oh.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Thanks. Nice. Yeah. I think this is hugely important for encouraging our.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Friends. Right?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Exactly. Yeah. We need those skills. We'll talk about that more at the takeaway. But should we go through the role play, Michelle, a little.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Bit? Sure. Okay, here we go. So I. You said, putting yourself out there at your first show is not to be taken lightly. So you're saying it's serious. Like, you did a big.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Thing. Exactly. And then you said, oh, I know, but I only made a hundred dollars. Right. And then I said, hey, a.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Hundred dollars is nothing to sneeze.

[Lindsay McMahon]

At. You could say. And you could add. That's a hundred dollars you didn't have before.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right? Something like that.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. Yeah. You're encouraging me. You're helping me get out of my own head.

Right.

Yeah. And then I said, I have 50 followers, which is nothing to scoff at. So I'm encouraging myself a little bit. But I said, but I should get.

More.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes. Nice. All right. So, yeah, it can go both ways. By the way, that's a good example. Like, we can use these phrases to try to encourage ourselves too.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right? Exactly.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Exactly. I know, I know that's nothing to sneeze at. I know that's nothing to scoff at. Or someone else could use it to encourage.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Us. Right, Right, right, right. Exactly. So very, very useful. Could be used in many different ways. Guys, if you haven't already, check out episode 2518, which was fish and Company. English phrases for overstaying. You are.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Welcome. Yeah. So what are your thoughts, Michelle? Here for our takeaway on encouraging people. I mean, this is such a key part of life, don't you.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Think? Yeah. What a huge connection skill. I mean, your friend is kind of down on him or herself, and you're saying, oh, but look at what you have done. You're picking out the positives that maybe this person isn't realizing because they're their own worst critic, which is so common. So I think this is a huge connection moment. If your friend is saying, oh, but I only did this. I only did that. And you know, you don't want to do this every single time. You know you want to hear your friend. Right. It's okay also to just listen and you don't. It might get a little irritating if everything you say is, oh, but look what this is. And look what that.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Is. That's.

[Michelle Kaplan]

True.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. And you want to. Excuse me. Like any phrase, if you use it too much, it'll become. It'll have less meaning. Right. So save it for things that you actually think are great that they.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Did.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right. Yeah. It's a really good way to highlight these things and say, look. Look at all you have.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Done. Exactly. I love it. You're right, Michelle. It's a real connection skill. So that's why we like to feature these on Allers English. And guys, hit the follow button if you love our show. All.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right. All right, Lindsay, this was fun. And guys, we'll talk to you next.

Time. All right, Have a good day.

Bye.

Thanks.

[Lindsay McMahon]

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 make sure you don't miss anything. See you next.

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