AEE 2584: Don't Let Your English Stoop to this Level

Summary

Episode Summary: All Ears English Podcast – Episode 2584

Title: Don’t Let Your English Stoop to this Level
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Date: March 18, 2026
Theme: Deep Dive on the Verb “Stoop” in Everyday and Figurative English

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Overview

In this engaging episode, Lindsay and Michelle explore the verb “stoop,” especially in phrases like “stoop to a new low” or “stoop to someone’s level.” Prompted by an insightful listener question, the hosts guide learners through meanings, usage patterns, and cultural nuance, complete with vivid examples, personal stories, and a role play illustrating conflict resolution and standards of behavior. This episode is invaluable for intermediate and advanced ESL learners seeking to boost their vocabulary and deepen their ability to articulate values and boundaries in English.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Literal Meaning of “Stoop”

• Stoop as a Noun (Physical Structure):
  • Briefly discussed at the beginning. In New York and Boston, a “stoop” is the set of steps outside an apartment building or house where people may sit and socialize.
    • “There were always people on the stoop and they were always very friendly. So it was kind of cool to come home and you know people.” – Lindsay (02:26)
  • However, the main focus shifts quickly to the verb usage.

2. "Stoop" as a Verb in Figurative Contexts

• Core Meaning:
  • To “stoop” (verb) means to lower oneself, particularly in terms of behavior, standards, or values, often in response to conflict or temptation.
  • Commonly used in phrases: “stoop to a new low,” “stoop to [someone’s] level,” “stoop so low,” or “stoop to [doing something].”
  • “To stoop is to lower oneself in a certain way. For example, maybe values, standards, expectations, behavior.” – Lindsay (06:25)
  • “To stoop to a new level is to lower yourself.” – Michelle (06:42)

Structures for Using “Stoop” (07:00–08:00):

• “Stoop to [noun/verb-ing]”
  • Examples:
    • “I wouldn’t stoop to name calling if I were you.” – Michelle (06:55)
    • “Oh, I wouldn’t stoop to eating ketchup with my fingers!” – (07:18)
    • “Don’t stoop to acting like somebody else—high school is hard, but be yourself.” – Michelle (07:30)
    • “I won’t stoop to eating anything that isn’t homemade!” – Lindsay (07:41)
• Variations:
  • “stoop so low” / “stoop that low”
    • “I didn’t mean to stoop so low. I was just upset.” – Michelle (08:08)
    • “I didn’t think she would stoop that low.” – Lindsay, referencing the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan scandal (08:50)
  • Explanation:
    • Used when someone acts beneath their morals/character, harming their reputation or self-image.
    • “You damage your reputation.” – Michelle (11:19)

3. Similar Expressions & Synonyms (10:27–11:09)

• “Sink to [a new low]” / “Sink so low”:
  • “Her insults were so childish—she sank so low.” – (10:43)
  • “She sank to a new low.” – Michelle (10:45)
• “Lower oneself”:
  • “I lowered myself in her eyes when I showed up late for the fifth time.” – Michelle (11:09)

4. Why These Phrases Matter for Connection (11:22–12:19)

• They express personal standards, values, and boundaries—how you expect yourself or others to behave.
• “It’s a little window into who you are. What do you expect from others, what do you expect from yourself?” – Michelle (11:46)
• “We can use it to refer to ourselves...explain our moral code, values...showing someone our expectations of that person.” – Lindsay (11:52)

5. Role Play: Roommate Conflict Example (12:32–16:39)

• Scenario: Hosts role-play roommates discussing how to address another roommate’s bad behavior without lowering their own standards.
• Sample Dialogue & Usage:
  • “I think we need to talk to her, but I don’t want to stoop to her level. I want to keep things amicable.” – Michelle (13:23)
  • “No, we shouldn’t lower ourselves to how she behaves.” – Lindsay (13:28)
  • “Definitely don’t want to sink to the things she’s been pulling with us.” – Michelle (13:31)
• Analysis:
  • These phrases help articulate a desire to maintain dignity and not retaliate with similar negative behaviors, resonating with advanced conversation skills.

6. Memorable Moments & Stories

• Relatable Roommate Stories:
  • Arguments, shared living spaces, and the challenge of maintaining one’s standards (13:43–14:18)
  • “Did you have drama like this when you lived in a room with three people?” – Lindsay (13:37)
• Sibling Conflict Anecdote:
  • Michelle shares how, as a teenager, she sometimes wanted her calm brother to “stoop to [her] level” during arguments, showing a nuanced use of the expression. (15:25–16:04)
  • “Sometimes you want somebody to stoop to your level… I’m talking about when I was like a teenager…” – Michelle (15:25)

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Literal Stoop:
  • “It’s basically just... the front stairs... usually an apartment building, sometimes a house... a space where people hang out.” – Lindsay (03:29)
• On Figurative Stoop:
  • “To stoop is to lower oneself in a certain way. For example, maybe values, standards, expectations, behavior.” – Lindsay (06:25)
  • “I didn’t mean to stoop so low, I was just upset and took it out on you.” – Michelle (08:08)
  • “I knew she was going to be competitive, but I didn’t think she would stoop that low.” – Lindsay (08:49)
• On Synonyms/Similar Ideas:
  • “Her insults were so childish. She sank so low.” – Lindsay (10:43)
  • “I lowered myself in her eyes when I showed up late for the fifth time.” – Michelle (11:09)
• On Values & Behavior:
  • “It's a little window into who you are. What do you expect from others, what do you expect from yourself?” – Michelle (11:46)
  • “We can use it to refer to ourselves because we could explain our moral code, our values...” – Lindsay (11:52)
• Role Play Highlights:
  • “I think we need to talk to her, but I don’t want to stoop to her level. I want to keep things amicable.” – Michelle (13:23)

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Important Timestamps

• Literal meaning of “stoop” (as stairs): 02:26–04:01
• Listener question & shift to “stoop” as a verb: 04:08–06:20
• Breaking down “stoop to…” expressions: 06:20–08:37
• Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan reference (real-life example of “stooping low”): 08:37–09:35
• Synonyms (“sink to”/“lower oneself”): 10:27–11:09
• Significance for communication & connection: 11:22–12:19
• Role-play—roommate conflict, practical usage: 12:32–16:39
• Sibling anecdote about staying calm/not “stooping”: 15:25–16:04
• Final takeaways on standards and communication: 16:39–17:43

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Final Takeaways

• “Stoop” is a powerful verb for communicating standards, values, and boundaries, particularly when discussing conflict.
• Using expressions like “stoop to a new low” or “stoop to [someone’s] level” helps you share your moral stance and shape how others perceive you.
• These phrases lend nuance, maturity, and authenticity to your spoken English, supporting the All Ears English philosophy of Connection, NOT Perfection.

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Suggested Action for Listeners

• Try using phrases with “stoop” or its synonyms during appropriate moments in your English conversations, especially when defining your limits or articulating your reaction to conflict.
• For further clarity, revisit Episode 2547 (“Teasing Direct: How to Know Based on Context”) to hear how “stoop” first arose in natural dialogue.

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Have a follow-up question?
As Lindsay and Michelle encouraged:

“If you have any follow up questions from today’s episode, be sure to send them over to [e-mail]… Pull a question from an episode like Sophia did. That’s a great way to do it.” (17:43)

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This summary captures the heart of AEE 2584, equipping you with not only vocabulary but also a mindset for respectful, authentic connection in English.

Transcript

[A]

This is an All Ears English podcast, episode 2584. Don't let your English stoop to this level.

[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, Lindsay 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 forward slash, subscribe. Today we answer a question from a listener. What does it mean when someone uses the verb to stoop today? Find out how to use this when you're in conflict with someone or how to talk about your own standards of behavior for yourself in English. English is part of how you're evaluated, whether you like it or not. In meetings, in interviews, in negotiations, the question isn't whether your English is okay or good enough. It's whether it's working for you. Is it getting you the promotions and the salary raises that you deserve? If not, this is the year to do something about it. Our free 2 minute fluency quiz shows you your true English level, B1, B2, or C1, and where you can level up for real world success for your career or your global life in English. Take the quiz now for [e-mail] fluencyscore that's allearsenglish.com F L U E N C Y S C O R E.

[A]

Hey, Lindsay, how are you?

[B]

I'm doing great, Michelle. How are you? How's it going? Happy Wednesday. We're recording today. On a Wednesday at least.

[A]

Yes, exactly. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, everything's going over well over here. Lindsay, when you lived in New York, did you have a super stoop or in Boston, a stoop?

[B]

Part of city life? Yeah, so we did in. In Brooklyn. My place in Brooklyn had a stoop and there were always people on the stoop and they were always very friendly. So it was kind of cool to come home and you know people. They know you, of course, your neighbors, and they say, hey, how's it going?

[A]

Right.

[B]

What about you? Did you have a stoop in your building in New York?

[A]

I mean, I had, like, I was in a. I. I always think of a stoop being for a smaller building. I was kind of in a big building, but technically, I suppose there was a stoop. In one of the places I lived, there was a stoop. But did you, did you sit out there or did you people watch or was it mostly just going in and out?

[B]

I personally didn't, but other people did. And then there's some, I don't know if it was college or somewhere where my. I think my friends had a house and there was a lot of stoop sitting, like hanging out on the stoop. Maybe senior year in college, my friends had a house and I think there's a lot of stoop. There was a porch swing. It was like a way of life. Right. College life.

[A]

Sitting on the sports swing. That's nice. What is a stoop? I know.

[B]

What is a stoop? Well, the way I see it is it's basically just. It's the front stairs. Yeah.

[A]

Building.

[B]

Usually an apartment building, sometimes a house, I guess maybe. And it's just some space where people tend to hang out sometimes. Especially in New York because. Because a lot of buildings don't have air conditioning. And those fourth floor walk ups, you know, four or five floor walkups can get real hot summer nights in New York. So people do hang out on the stoop sometimes.

[A]

Yep, yep, exactly. So today we are answering a question about this word from the lovely Sophia. Sophia, you are amazing and we adore you. And this question is From Sophia on YouTube. Lindsay, would you like to read it?

[B]

I will. So Sophia says hi, Allers English team. I'm Sophia. I love your podcast. It's helped my English so much. In your recent episode about teasing and context on January 13, I caught this interesting line and someone said, yeah, so a similar expression would be to stoop to a new level or a new low. I'd love to hear a deep dive into how to use stoop naturally in different situations. Could you please teach us more about this word Think. Thank you for the amazing content. Well, thank you Sophia, for the amazing questions. This is like one of one of maybe six or seven questions we've answered from this amazing listener. Because the questions are so good.

[A]

Yeah, I, I, I. We just eat them up. They're so good. Thank you. Thank you, Sophia. And thank you for your kind words and for listening. Yes, guys, make sure you hit follow wherever you're listening to the Allers English podcast. Don't miss any of our episodes.

[B]

Yeah, guys, go and check out episode. The episode that this came from that Sophia is quoting, by the way, is 2547 teasing direct how to know based on context. So if you're interested in knowing more exactly about how this came up in real natural conversation, go check out that episode.

[A]

Love it. All right, so let's get into it. So, okay, yeah, in, in this context that we were using it, I asked you about living in New York City and Boston, and I think stoops are kind of when you think a stoop, you think of a city.

[B]

You do, yeah.

[A]

Right. And so, yeah, it's a small step or an area outside of your building where you can sit. But we're not going to use it like that in today's episode. But we did want to let you know what a stoop is in another context. So today we're going to talk about stoop, as in stoop to a new low or new level, which is what we had touched on in that other episode.

[B]

Yeah, we're going taking a total right turn, 180 right. And going in another direction now. So now you have a little context about the other meaning of stoop. But now let's focus on something totally different, guys. Okay.

[A]

Right. So what does stoop mean in this context?

[B]

So this means as a verb, right? It's a verb. And that's important. An important difference. Right. To stoop is to lower oneself in a certain way. For example, maybe values, standards, expectations, behavior. Right?

[A]

Yeah. So to stoop to a new level is to lower yourself.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So, but let's talk about some other expressions that would be used with stoop in. In this type of a way.

[B]

Yeah. So for example, you could say, say stoop to a noun or stoop to plus a verb plus ing. Right. So I wouldn't stoop to name calling if I were you. So it's like you bring yourself down to the level of doing the thing that's not good.

[A]

Right. Hopefully that's clear.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Right, right. It's like, oh, I wouldn't stoop to eating. Catch up with my fingers.

[B]

Right. Oh, come on. Are you above that?

[C]

I'm not.

[B]

I'm just kidding.

[A]

I'm above the ketchup. Yes. Other things, that's fine. Or here's another one here. Don't stoop to acting like somebody else. High school is hard, but be yourself.

[B]

Yeah. Giving some advice to a high school kid, maybe. Right. Or I won't stoop to eating anything that isn't homemade. I don't mind a good takeout sometimes, you know? Oh, so what else? So we could also say, what?

[A]

Right. Stoop solo or stoop that low. So this is the same meeting, just a different structure. So, for example, I didn't mean to stoop so low. I was just upset and took it out on you. So that means you, you kind of you. I mean, another word Would be like a cheap shot, like you kind of shot.

[B]

Yeah, Maybe you.

[A]

Maybe you said something that was really nasty and just uncalled for. Right. So you're just saying I didn't. I lowered myself. I lowered my standards of myself. And you know how you think of me. So I didn't mean to stoop so low.

[B]

Yeah. Or, for example, I knew she was going to be competitive, but I didn't think she would stoop that low. That actually makes me think of. Do you remember the whole scandal with Nancy Kerrigan?

[A]

I knew that's what you were gonna say. How did you know that? I don't know. Just when you said, do you remember the whole scandal? I was like, ah, yeah. Ice skating. Yeah.

[B]

I mean, I don't know how much of it is true or exactly what happened. I know there was a movie I. Tanya that came out a few years ago that was.

[A]

I saw it.

[B]

It sort of told her perspective. But it's an interesting glimpse back into the 90s if our listeners feel like checking it out. But the accusation was that someone did some damage.

[A]

Tanya Harding, like. Like beat her up. Right.

[B]

Or had, like. Or had hit someone. Oh, yeah.

[A]

Somebody. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Why can't I not.

[B]

Did some damage to Nancy Kerrigan's knee. And again, I'm not saying it's true necessarily. I don't know what happened, but that was the story. That was the scandal. So for some reason, this example sort of makes me think of that. Yeah.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Y. I can see that. And they were. They were arch rivals in. In figure skating. Just to give a little bit more context. And, you know, it's like, this is your rival, and, like, what are you going to do to beat your rival? So supposedly she stooped so low, I stooped low. And this is what happened, right? Yeah. Yeah.

[C]

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[B]

Okay, so are there similar ideas? I mean, there are other ways we might articulate this, Michelle. Like sync 2x right. So sinking to a new level. So, for example, her insults were so childish. She sank so low.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Or to a new low.

[A]

She sank to a new low. She sank so Low. Yeah, it's the same idea.

[B]

Exactly, exactly. It's like, do you fight fair when you fight? You know what I mean? Right, right.

[A]

Exactly. Or do you just kind of resort to, you know, childish things and just, you kind of just lose. Lose the way that you normally would act.

[B]

Exactly. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Then there's also just lower oneself. So I lowered myself in her eyes when I showed up late for the fifth time.

[B]

Oh, man.

[A]

So it's like, you know, you're. You damage your reputation.

[B]

Exactly. It's not worth it. Right. Why are these good for connection, would you say, Michelle?

[A]

I think it shows a little bit about who you are and how. And, and like what's important to you. So showing. Oh. That you can acknowledge when you've done something wrong. And when you say I, I stoop to a new low, it's like, well, where did you start? Right. So.

[B]

Yeah, where did you start?

[A]

Yeah, it's, it just, it tells a. It's a little window into who you are. What do you think?

[B]

Yeah. So we can use it to refer to ourselves because we, we could explain our, like, moral code, our values based on this. Exactly. Is kind of what you're saying. So like showing the world who we are a little bit or showing someone we're talking to what our expectations are of that person.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Like of your partner. You know, this is really stoop to a new low. Low. I don't expect this.

[A]

Right.

[B]

That kind of. It is a connect. It' an advanced phrase for connection, I think, for sure.

[A]

Oh, I totally agree. It's just, it's a lot about standards. What you expect from others, what do you expect from yourself and how you're meeting that or not meeting.

[B]

Yes. And also, roommate standards matter.

[A]

Right.

[B]

You know, we, we've all had roommates in our lives probably, and it's always an interesting experience. So here in this role play, we are talking about our roommate. So it looks like we have a triple. What was that? Like a triple? Like a, a, A quad? Not a quad, a tri. What was that?

[A]

I used to live in a triplex.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

But that's, but that's if it's actually, I think three floors.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I don't know what it's called if it's just a three bedroom.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Yeah. Because I remember in, in college, some kids just shared. Three kids would share one big bedroom, one room, not three floors. Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Oh, I did that once. I, I, for five months I was in a, in one big room with two girls. Yeah.

[B]

Hard. All right. Let's see how this goes. I wish we weren't having trouble with her. Maybe we should confront her.

[A]

I think we need to talk to her, but I don't want to stoop to her level. I want to keep things amicable.

[B]

No, we shouldn't lower ourselves to how she behaves.

[A]

Definitely don't want to sink to the things she's been pulling with us.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

We are having problems.

[B]

Did you have drama like this when you lived in a room with three people?

[A]

A little bit, but, like, I'm actually still friends with both of them. And this was. I mean, like, this is like, over 15 years ago, so.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

It was okay. But I did have that kind of drama in the triplex in New York.

[B]

Yeah. Wow. Oh, man.

[A]

That. That was a stinky one.

[B]

And it was really hard having roommates. I mean, you know, you're around them all the time. You're not necessarily friends with them. You could be, but not necessarily. Right.

[A]

So personality.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

[A]

I'm glad that's over with. Yes. Yes.

[B]

All right, so how did we use the phrases here, Michelle?

[A]

Okay, you said, I think we need to talk to her, but I don't want to stoop to her level. So you're saying. I'm saying, you know, we don't want to. Like, we're better than that, basically.

[B]

Right. And sometimes some people have this, like, weird effect where once you get into an argument, you feel like they. It feels like they bring you down a little bit to their level. Do. Do you feel like certain personalities can do that?

[A]

Yeah, it can be hard. You know, if somebody starts. It's like if somebody's setting, you know, the stage or for h. How. How some sort of confrontation is going to look, or is it going to be, you know, emotional? Is it going to be that you can just talk it out? Is it going to be.

[B]

Yeah, you know?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And, like, whatever their res. Are or skills in terms of conflict resolution, it can't really get any better than that.

[A]

The.

[B]

The conflict. Right. Like, even if you have all these resources and, you know, how to calm down and speak logically or whatever, or be, like, have empathy, like, if they don't have those skills, too, it's going to kind of bring it down. So.

[A]

And I. And I'm also thinking of the people who never get. Who never lose it. Like my brother. Yeah. You know, one of the. Sometimes you want somebody to stoop to your level. Right. When you're. You're ready for a. I. I'm. I'm talking about When I was like a teenager and I, you know, I would get, you know, really mad about something and he's so calm and, and just, you know, just of logical and calm. And that drives people crazy. Right. Because you were like, come down to my level. I'm ready to go.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I could see that with his sibling. He's like Teflon. Like nothing sticks to it. Right? Nothing.

[A]

Yeah, he's always been like that.

[B]

Yeah, that's interesting. Yeah, my brother's kind of like that too. Might be like a male thing. I don' what it is, but I don't know. That's interesting. All right, and then, so then we said, I said, no, we shouldn't lower ourselves to how she behaves. Right. And this is just another way of saying we don't want to bring our behavior down. So we, we act like her. Right, Right.

[A]

So we're really, we're really not, not enjoying her right now. And then I said, definitely don't want to sink to the things she's been pulling with us. So yeah, she's, she's causing trouble. We're not impressed, but we're not going to sink to that level.

[B]

I love it. Yeah, this is really good. Michelle, any final takeaway? I mean, I think what mentioned earlier makes sense. It's about showing what you expect from other people. Showing what you expect for yourself. Expect from yourself. And also, conflict is part of life. Sometimes we do feature these phrases that come up in more negative context because it's part of life. Right.

[A]

I think there's always that moment when you know there is some sort of conflict with someone where you have to make that decision of like, how is this going to be handled? I going to keep myself to the standard that I want for myself or am I going to start to stoop a little bit? Right. And, and there's that moment where you kind of have to make that decision.

[B]

No, that's a really good point, Michelle. And so now we do have some vocabulary to articulate it. And if this happens at work, it adds a whole new layer of complications. Right? Yeah. Really interesting, guys. If you have any follow up questions from today's episode, be sure to send them over to support allersenglish.com we love getting your question. Just make it very specific. Pull a question from an episode like Sophia did. That's a great way to do it.

[A]

Oh my gosh. Yeah. If you just hear us talking and you're like, what is, what is that?

[B]

She just said?

[A]

What did you just say? Ask us, ask us and we'll do a whole episode about it.

[B]

Exactly. Would love to see that. Good stuff. Michelle. You have a good rest of your day and we'll talk very soon. You too.

[A]

Have a good one, Lindsay. Bye guys. Bye.

[B]

Thanks for listening to all ears. English Would you like to know your English level? Take our two minute quiz. Go to allearsenglish.com 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.

[C]

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