All Ears English Podcast: Episode 2575

"5 English Idioms That Hit Hard"

Release Date: March 3, 2026
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Aubrey Carter
Theme: Enrich your English by learning five powerful idioms and phrases that convey strong effects, mostly negative, in natural American English conversations.

Episode Overview

Lindsay and Aubrey explore five dynamic English idioms for describing significant impacts—especially negative ones—in everyday life. Aimed at intermediate to advanced ESL learners, this episode encourages listeners to move beyond the overused word "effect" and provides practical, native-like alternatives. The hosts share playful personal anecdotes, contextual examples, and offer role play to cement understanding. They stress the importance of connection, not perfection, in learning English.

Key Idioms & Phrases Discussed

1. Do a Number On (Someone/Something)

Definition: To have a strong, usually negative, effect on someone or something.
Examples & Conversation:

• “Swimming really does a number on my hair.” (03:22)
• “Late nights really did a number on my focus.” (04:57)
• “The cold winter did a number on my car battery.” (05:28)
• “Living in Arizona...does a number on your skin.” (05:44)

Quotes:

• Lindsay: “When you're a kid, you don't care that it's doing a number on your hair. You're just like, ‘I want to swim!’” (04:04)

2. Take a Toll On

Definition: To have a significant, often accumulating, negative effect over time.
Examples & Conversation:

• “The constant stress took a toll on her health.” (06:13)
• “Years of night shifts took a toll on his sleep patterns.” (06:59)

Memorable Moment:

• Aubrey shares: “I ended up having a panic attack and I didn’t even realize how stressed I had been until that happened.” (06:36)

Role Play Example:

• “Constant stress will take a toll on anyone after a while.” (13:22)

3. Hit Hard (and Slang Usage: "That Hits")

Definition: To be deeply or strongly affected by something, often emotionally; “that hits” as slang meaning something is impressive or resonates.
Examples & Conversation:

• “That news hit him hard.” (07:30)
• “The sudden pay cut hit her hard.” (08:04)
• “Oh, that really hits.” (Slang usage, 08:16)

Quotes:

• Aubrey: “This means...news that had a great effect on your emotional state, you’d say ‘it hit me hard.’” (07:51)
• Lindsay, on slang: “Maybe this is like a new and emerging slang that we can get on board with.” (08:30)

4. Mess With

Definition: To negatively affect, disturb, or interfere with someone or something.
Examples & Conversation:

• “Jet lag really messes with my sleep.” (08:53)
• “Too much caffeine messes with my stomach or my sleep.” (10:28)

Anecdote:

• Lindsay: “Trips that don’t seem like they should be that hard, like going to Western Europe, are really hard for me now...I’ve fallen asleep in museums.” (09:36–10:04)

5. Wear (Someone) Down

Definition: To gradually weaken or exhaust someone emotionally or physically.
Examples & Conversation:

• “The long commute is wearing me down.” (10:39)
• “By Friday afternoon I’m pretty worn down.” (11:18)

Clarification:

• Aubrey: “Usually not sudden...more over time; you get worn down by something.” (11:01)
• Lindsay: “It doesn’t have to be a terrible thing...even by Friday afternoon I’m pretty worn down.” (11:18)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Overusing "Tired":
  Lindsay: “Don’t always say, ‘I’m tired...’ It is almost a standard response for people. Do you notice that?” (14:12)
  Aubrey: “And also...don’t tell someone they look tired.” (14:40)

• On Commenting on Appearance:
  Lindsay: “Maybe we could do another episode just on saying, ‘you look...’. Avoid.” (15:06)

• Cultural Note:
  Aubrey: “I say to my kids, don’t comment on people’s appearances.” (15:15)

• Learning Tip:
  Lindsay: “Imagine if we just said ‘affecting’ four times here. The late nights are affecting me. Constant stress will affect anyone. So boring. These are way more interesting phrases.” (16:40)

• On Connection, Not Negativity:
  Aubrey: “Don’t be the person who’s always saying ‘I’m tired,’... people turn around and walk the other way.” (17:17)
  Lindsay: “Try to find something that energizes you and maybe talk about that.” (17:32)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:34] Cold plunges and “does a number on” introduction
• [04:57] Detailed breakdown: “do a number on” usage examples
• [06:13] “Take a toll on” and discussions around stress
• [07:30] Introduction and examples of “hit hard”
• [08:53] “Mess with” and experiences with jet lag and caffeine
• [10:39] “Wear down” and discussion of gradual effects
• [13:05] Role Play Demonstrating All Idioms in Conversation
• [14:12] Tips: Avoiding generic responses; what not to say
• [16:40] Why use idioms instead of “affect”
• [17:17] Social advice: Don't be a downer

Episode Tone & Style

Friendly, energetic, empathetic, and slightly humorous. Lindsay and Aubrey use lots of personal stories and banter, making the discussion both practical and engaging for learners aiming to pick up real American English.

Recap: The Five Idioms

• Do a number on (someone/something)
• Take a toll on
• (To) hit hard / That hits
• Mess with
• Wear (someone) down

Each offers a nuanced way to describe impact and effect—especially negative—enriching daily English conversation.

Tip for ESL Listeners: Practice these idioms in your own life—think about situations where you can use them to sound more like a native speaker! And remember, learning to connect is more important than being perfect.

Hosts’ Sign-Off:
Aubrey: “Good connection topic for today, Lindsay, and thanks for being on the mic. I’ll see you later in the week.” (17:42)

Lindsay: “Absolutely. Really good stuff... See you next time!” (17:42)