All Ears English Podcast

Episode 2543: Go Out of Your Way for these English Direction Phrases

Hosts: Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan
Date: January 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This practical, conversational episode focuses on common English phrases for giving and understanding directions—particularly “on the way,” “out of the way,” and related expressions. Lindsay and Michelle clarify frequent learner confusions about the opposites of these phrases, discuss their nuances, offer example sentences and a mini role-play, and reflect on why learning these expressions is important for everyday conversation and cultural fluency.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Real-Life Inspiration

• The topic emerged from a real-life moment when Michelle's friend's son asked if a restaurant was "on the way or off the way," underscoring how native speakers and learners alike can stumble over logical (but incorrect) language patterns.
  • Quote:

    "My friend's son said to him... is it on the way or is it off the way? ...And I said, thank you, you just gave me an idea." – Michelle (04:00)

2. Explaining "On the Way"

• Definition: Used to describe a location or stop that is conveniently along your main route to somewhere else.

  • Key Explanation:

    "So, it means... I'm going to encounter that place as I go to the other place." – Lindsay (05:13)

  • More Concise Version:

    "One destination is in the same direction as the other." – Michelle (05:33)

• Examples:

  • “I can grab a soda before I get to you. The store is on the way to your house.” (06:49)
  • “Of course I can drop you off. It's on the way.” (06:58)

• “On the way” must be used in relation to another destination (i.e., “on the way to...”)

  • Clarification:

    "It really does have to be in relation to somewhere else. It's on the way to somewhere else that I'm heading." – Michelle (11:04)

3. The Opposite Is Not "Off the Way"

• Common Mistake: Learners might think the logical opposite of "on the way" is "off the way," but it’s not used in English.

  • Memorable Quote:

    "Seems like it should be, Michelle. But no, the answer is no, it's not." – Lindsay (07:26)
    "Do you know anyone who says the phrase off the way? No, there's no off the way." – Michelle (09:32)

• Correct Opposite: “Out of the way,” meaning inconveniently located or requiring extra effort to reach; not naturally along your existing route.

  • Definition:

    "Out of the way means something is inconvenient to go to... You would have to go somewhere else and then head back to where you were going." – Michelle (07:32)

  • Example:
    “I desperately need a coffee, but the shop is completely out of the way and I'd be too late.” (08:08)
    “I don't want you to go out of the way. Only pick me up if I'm on the way.” (08:15)
    “Don't go out of your way.” (08:20)
  • Figurative Use: Can mean “don’t make special or inconvenient effort for me,” not just in a physical sense.

4. Related Phrases & Directional Nuance

• In the Way / Get Out of the Way:

  • "If someone is in the way, they're blocking you—'Please move, get out of the way.'" – Michelle (09:37)

• Convenient / Nearby / Remote:

  • Other ways to express similar ideas:
    • “It’s right by my office. It’s so convenient.” (10:36)
    • “There’s a supermarket nearby.” (11:34)
    • “That apartment is too remote. It's not near any trains.” (12:18)
  • “Out of the way” can often be substituted with “inconvenient” or “remote.”

• En Route / Heading:

  • “I’m on the way.” / “I'm already en route.” / “I’m heading over right now.” (12:40–12:59)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On language learning and connection:

  "Our style is connection, not perfection. That means we're going to find the connection moment in everything we're teaching you..." – Lindsay (04:26)

• On guessing language:

  "Our listeners want to be able to make guesses about what expressions might mean. But... unfortunately, this one doesn't really work." – Michelle (09:17)

• On the importance of directions language:

  "Directions matter. It matters because this is our orientation in space... We need this to communicate general, everyday things." – Lindsay (13:10)

Example Role Play

Scenario: Michelle calls Lindsay for help with directions.
Timestamps: [13:26–14:13]

• Lindsay: “I'm so sorry, Michelle. I know I’m super out of the way.” (13:37)
• Michelle: “It's totally fine, Lindsay. It's actually on the way to my physical therapist, so. Not too bad.” (13:42)
• Lindsay: “Most people say it's a bit remote.” (13:49)
• Michelle: “It's not really nearby, but it's not too far.” (13:52)
• Lindsay: “So at the corner, turn left, not right.” (13:56)
• Michelle: “Oh, okay, I’m en route.” (14:00)

Breakdown:

• “Super out of the way” = far, inconvenient
• “On the way to my physical therapist” = conveniently along another route
• “Remote” = isolated
• “En route” = on the way

Cultural and Learning Takeaways

• Don’t assume logical opposites work in idiomatic English.
• Phrases like "on the way" and "out of the way" require understanding of context and reference points.
• These expressions are key for giving natural-sounding directions and organizing plans in English-speaking contexts.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 04:00 – The story of where the episode idea came from
• 05:13 – Detailed explanation of “on the way”
• 07:26 – Is “off the way” correct?
• 07:32 – Introduction and examples of “out of the way”
• 09:37 – Related phrase: “in the way”
• 10:36 – Alternatives and example phrases
• 12:40 – “En route,” “heading,” and more ways to say “on the way”
• 13:26–14:13 – Example role-play

Final Thoughts & Learning Reminders

• Focus on understanding real usage, not simply logical opposites.
• Use these phrases in context to sound natural and connect with others.
• More nuanced topics like “near vs. nearby” and detailed direction-giving will be covered in future episodes.

“Bad reference points... don’t assume that the opposite of one word in an expression is going to mean what you think it is.”
– Michelle (15:44)

For ESL learners: Mastering these nuances takes your conversational skills to the next level—and helps you connect, not just communicate!