AEE 2593: I Could Use Some Lunch! How to Indirectly Indicate You're Hungry

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Ears English Podcast

Episode 2593: I Could Use Some Lunch! How to Indirectly Indicate You're Hungry
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Release Date: April 2, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the casual and indirect English phrase "I could use [something]"—especially how it’s employed to tactfully express a need or desire (like being hungry or thirsty) without sounding demanding. Lindsay and Michelle break down the cultural significance, provide usage tips, offer real-life scenarios, and share role plays that demonstrate how this phrase (and similar constructions) help create smooth, polite, and natural connections in American English.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Listener Question:

• Origin: Dani from YouTube asks about understanding the phrase "I could use something."
• Immediate Reaction:
  • Michelle notes her instinct is to relate it to food or drink.
  • "It's casual, polite, and a bit indirect." (Michelle, 04:59)
  • The hosts agree that this phrase allows you to express a need without appearing pushy.

2. Why Indirectness Matters in English

• Useful when:
  • Visiting someone's home
  • Traveling in groups (don’t want to seem demanding/whiny)
• Lindsay’s travel scenario:
  • "You're visiting New York City with friends, you don't want to be that person that's complaining… You say, 'Oh, I could use something to eat.'" (Lindsay, 05:37)
• The phrase helps avoid being "high maintenance" or "whiny."

3. The Structure and Its Variations

• Core Construction: I could use [noun].
  • Primarily for food/drink, but also for "comfort items"
    • E.g. "I could use a nap," "I could use a blanket," "I could use a warm drink."
  • Link between "use" and "fuel" (for body or comfort)
• Extension:
  • "I could use [something] to eat/drink."
  • "I could use a relaxing night at home in my PJs." (Michelle, 10:09)
  • "I could use a vacation;" "I could use a girls night." (Lindsay, 10:23, 10:46)
• Indirectness softens the request and shows openness to options.

4. Culturally Appropriate Indirectness

• Ideal for situations where being too direct could hurt group harmony.
• Example of time zone/cultural eating differences:
  • "In Europe, people are used to eating lunch at 2 or 3. I’m used to eating lunch at like 12 or… 11:30 or 1." (Lindsay, 11:04)
• “I could use some lunch” is a diplomatic way to suggest a break.

5. Mini Role Play Demonstrations

• House Guest Scenario:
  • Host: "Can I get you something to drink?"
  • Guest: "I could use something." (06:50)
  • Shows being open to options, non-demanding.
• Food/Drink Offerings:
  • Host lists drinks; guest responds with choice.
  • "Coffee would be great, thanks." (Role play, 14:50)

6. Other Useful Indirect Constructions

• "I'd love a [something]."
  • "I'd love a brownie." (Michelle, 16:29)
  • "I'd love a warm cookie right about now." (14:21)
• "I could really go for a [something]."
  • "I could really go for some caffeine right about now." (Lindsay, 16:17)
  • "I could really go for a long hike in the nice weather." (Michelle, 14:28)
• "[X] would be great."
  • Used after options are listed: "Cheddar would be great." (Michelle, 14:50)

7. Social and Cultural Tips

• Customary in the US to offer guests something (usually a drink) upon entering a home (17:04).
• Respond quickly when options are presented, to avoid awkward pause and show appreciation of hospitality (16:38, 18:07).
• Indirect phrasing conveys:
  • You don’t need something, just that it would be welcome.
  • You’re flexible and considerate toward hosts/companions.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Indirectness:
  "Indirect is the key." – Michelle, 06:44
• On Use Beyond Food:
  "My body could use something, I suppose, could be an angle you're talking about." – Lindsay, 08:30
• On Being a Courteous Guest:
  "You're not saying, yes, I need water... You're saying, I could use it. It also means you don't have to have it." – Lindsay, 17:14
• "We need moments to be indirect so we don't ruin the vibe with people." – Lindsay, 15:45
• On American Hospitality:
  "It is very customary in American culture when someone comes into your home to offer them something to consume, right?" – Lindsay, 17:04

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:37] Introduction to main topic; listener question
• [04:59] Meaning and subtlety of "I could use something"
• [05:27] Food/drink scenario explained
• [06:44] Importance of indirectness in social situations
• [06:48] Mini role play: house guest/host dialogue
• [09:31] Broader uses beyond food/drink
• [10:14] Examples: "I could use a relaxing night at home"
• [11:04] Cultural differences around food/social timing
• [14:15] Alternative phrases: "I'd love a [blank]"; "I could really go for [blank]"
• [16:01] Extended role play: guest choosing drinks/snacks
• [17:04] Cultural note: American host/guest expectations
• [18:38] Social cues: how and when to respond to hosts' offers
• [19:45] Recap and final thoughts

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Conclusion / Takeaways

• "I could use [something]" is a casual, polite, and indirect way to express wants or needs, especially with food, drink, or comfort.
• This indirect phrasing fits well in American contexts where group harmony and politeness are valued.
• The episode provides practical scripts and examples for using the phrase, with cultural notes that help listeners sound more natural and respectful in American English settings.
• Related phrases ("I'd love a...", "I could really go for...", "[X] would be great") offer similar nuance, catering to various social situations.
• Listeners are encouraged to practice these skills as a means of connecting through English—not seeking perfection, but genuine human connection.

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Action Step for Listeners:
Try using "I could use..." or one of its variations next time you’re a guest, traveling, or want to be a polite part of a group decision!

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For even more natural English, check out Episode 2581: Go Wild with This Trending English Word.

Transcript

[A]

This is an All Ears English podcast. Episode 2593. I could use some lunch. How to indirectly indicate you're hungry. 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 host, Aubrey Carter, the IELTS whiz and Lindsey McMahon, the English adventurer coming to you from Arizona and Colorado, usa. To get real time transcripts right on your phone and create your personalized vocabulary list, try the Allears English app for iOS and Android. Start your seven day free trial at allearsenglish.com

[B]

app. There are moments in life, like when you get invited to someone's home or when you travel with a group that you want to express a need but not be too forceful about it. Find out exactly how to do it. Today, Do people still ask you to repeat yourself even after years of studying English? And it's not your grammar. It's not your vocabulary. It's the sound system of English. And once you master it, everything changes. Join our new course, Global English pronunciation, and finally, speak with confidence, clarity and impact. You'll learn the hidden rhythm and stress patterns that make your English sound natural, no matter your accent. Plus, you get invitations to the weekly open conversation club and access to our community of international English learners. Speak clearly, Be understood. Succeed in your English speaking life, but don't wait. Save $50 on enrollment and get a free bonus course this week only. Go to all ears english.com pronunciation that. That's allearsenglish.com P R O N U N C I A T I O N. Hey, Lindsay, how are you doing

[A]

good today, Michelle, how's it going?

[B]

Going good here? You know what, actually, I need a second to get a tea.

[A]

Ooh, good idea. I could use something too. We've been recording for a while today.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah, so this is fun. We're gonna answer a listener question today. This came to us from YouTube.

[A]

Guys, don't forget, Allers English is over on YouTube five days a week. So if you prefer to learn visually by watching us explain this, you can see our intonation a bit better. Go over on YouTube and hit subscribe right on our channel. But I'll go ahead and read this, shall I, Michelle?

[B]

All right, go for it.

[A]

This is from Danielle. So Danny Pullmont. And Danny says, I'd like you to explain the phrase. I could use something. So it's. It's. It's a little out of context, this question.

[B]

Right, right, right. But When I see it, I, I think of, oh, you know, that I, that I need something. I, I think of a very specific context. So we're going to go with the, my gut feeling here.

[A]

Let's go with your gut, Michelle. So we'll, we'll expand on that particular context today. But first, before we get into it, I want to say a huge thank you to those listeners that took the time to go and leave us a review for our Android app. So huge thank you to Lee Wong, thank you to Riik Roshan and Ratique Roshan left us a five star review and we appreciate that. So thank you so much guys. If you are listening to Allers English, you could listen in the app to get a better user experience to be able to tap on keywords, save them to a list and just have those transcripts right in front of you. Go to allersenglish.com app. But most importantly, no matter where you're listening, we want you to leave us a review to tell us how it's going. Even ask your question inside the review. Right, Michelle?

[B]

Yes, yes, absolutely. We love your questions.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

They're so helpful and we want to, you know, we do this show for you. So if you ask us. Good, good, good question, we are going

[A]

to give you an answer 100%. Let us know what you think of the show, guys. It keeps us motivated to keep going and we want to see your reviews. So good stuff. All right, so I could use something. So what is the context that you're thinking, Michelle, that we're going to cover today, that, that you think of when you see this phrase?

[B]

To me, it's mostly about food or drink. Right. It's, it's, it means you want something. It's a little. But it's very casual. And it's casual, but it's also polite and, and kind of indirect. So it's very interesting. It's an interesting way to say that you want something. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, often you would use it or hear it when someone is asking you if you want something.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, some con. The context that I think of is you are, you're traveling in a new place, maybe an urban place. Like you're visiting New York City for the first time with your friends and you don't want to be that person that's complaining. I'm hungry. I'm hungry. Right. You don't want to be the demanding one. So instead, you know, in passing, someone mentions lunch and you say, oh, I could use something to eat.

[B]

Yes. Yeah, that's A great example. Yeah. It's like you're not the. It's. It's that different than saying, okay, I need to eat now. Right?

[A]

That's a whole nother episode for a whole nother day.

[B]

Right?

[A]

Yeah. And there are different circumstances where you might need to do that if you're. If you're just needing food.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

Sometimes it's good to be direct. Right, Michelle? But. But sometimes you don't want to be that. I don't know. Have you had experiences like this traveling, Michelle, where there's always one person that's kind of like high maintenance? A little bit.

[B]

When you travel, I can't think of a specific person. What about you?

[A]

Yeah, yeah, just over the years, just trips. Usually I. I travel with one person, so I like to travel in groups of two for this reason. Because usually in a group you have one person be a little. A little whiny sometimes. So. Yeah. So this is a way to not. To be casual, to be informal, to be indirect. Indirect is the key.

[B]

Yes, exactly. Let's show what this would look like in a mini role play.

[A]

Can I get you something to drink?

[B]

I could use something. Great.

[A]

I have water, tea, coffee.

[B]

Water is fine.

[A]

Nice. Oh, yeah. So here you're in someone's house, right?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Also a good scenario.

[B]

Right. So, yeah, it's. It's great. Also for when you don't know the options. You're just saying, you know, someone asked you, can I get you something? And you're just saying, yeah, I would like something, and then you're kind of waiting to see what is the pos. What are the possibilities?

[A]

Yes, exactly. So it's like not imposing too much on the person that's offering. It's just saying, I'm open. I could use something.

[B]

Right, right, exactly. So, yeah, to me, it's mostly used for food and drink, but then I was thinking could be for like a comfort item. Like if someone asks you, oh, I have some. Some options to make you more comfortable. Are you interested? Like a blanket, slippers at a hotel? Something like that.

[A]

Right. You're checking into a hotel. Maybe if you're flying first class on an airplane or something and they offer you these things, thinking, what else? Maybe in a car, I don't know, sometimes Uber drivers will offer like, candy or water or something. Or they used to maybe something like. But it's interesting that we're using. We're talking about consuming, really. Right. Generally consuming. But we're using the word use. So why, Michelle?

[B]

Why? Yeah, that's a good question. It's just more. I think it's just like a little smoother. It's just a little. It's. It's not as direct. Do you have any other thoughts on that?

[A]

Yeah, it's not as direct. I mean, you're basically saying like, this could feel. This could fuel me. Right. If you're talking about consuming calories or. Or liquid, like my body could use something, I suppose could be an angle you're talking about. And then for the more comfort items, like a pillow on an airplane. That's just for comfort, right?

[B]

Yes, yes. Actually, yeah, my body could use something. There's something that would fuel me. So we're going to get to more.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Of similar idea just coming up in a second. But, you know, you could also continue. Continue the sentence. So I could use something to eat. I could use something to drink, right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Right. So if somebody says, oh, can I get you something? Oh, I could use something to drink, right?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah. But then it go. I wanted to touch on that construction in general. I could use. And this is what kind of. You were talking about, Lindsay with something will fuel me in some way. So let's go through some of these and we can talk about. About them.

[A]

Yeah, let's do it. So I could use a nap.

[B]

Right.

[A]

So fuel again. Right? A nap will fuel you as well. So we're using that verb, use. I could use a warm drink. I say this a lot when I go skiing. I feel like when I go skiing, I'm mostly just in the lodge, to be honest, drinking hot chocolate. I'll drive to the mountain and I'll. I'll ski like four runs and I'll go get hot chocolate halfway through. Then I'll go to a brewery and have lunch after.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's really funny. I love it. That's. Yeah, that's what I would do. Except I don't even know if I would make it skiing at all. So just being. Having hot chocolate. Or I could use a relaxing night at home in my PJs. Sometimes you just want that and that.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I find that the older I get, that's all I want to do. I just, like, I could. I. I could not get into my pajamas any earlier. Like. No.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Am so happy once that moment comes. Oh, man.

[A]

It's nesting, right? You're nesting. It's good. I could use a vacation, right? We could all use a vacation at different times to fuel us. Or I could use a girls night with my friends. Everyone needs a night away from their partner, their family, and Just an evening out. Right?

[B]

Exactly. So, Lindsay, do you use this construction? Do you use this?

[A]

Yeah, I feel like I use it. I want to really go back to the indirectness of it because it's super useful. What I've found is people eat lunch at all different times. And this is where I was talking about the traveling piece. If you. I think in Europe, people are used to eating lunch at 2 or 3. I'm used to eating lunch at like 12 or even like 11:30 or 1. And so if someone's like, oh, are you hungry? You know, saying something like, I could use some lunch.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

If I think they expect we're gonna wait till three, even though it's painful, I don't want to be demanding. Say, I have to eat now. Right?

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

So like.

[B]

Or be like, oh, well, when are we gonna eat?

[A]

Right. Yeah. So maybe I don't want to be the whiny person. Right. So. So it's a way of feel like throwing something out there, and depending on how they respond, then you take action or you don't, or you just grab a snack on the way or something. Right?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, good point. Lindsay, what could you use right now?

[A]

What could I use? Probably more water. I've been so thirsty lately, Michelle. I could use a glass of water at this ex.

[B]

Sounds good. I could use a soup. I could definitely use a nap.

[A]

Yes, I could.

[B]

Yeah, that's. I would say, generally I could use a nap.

[A]

And you can say other things too. I mean, we can. There's a lot we could do. Not just for fueling ourselves too. I mean, let's say. I don't know how much sunshine you've been getting on the east coast lately, Michelle, because it's been snowy. Has it been kind of dark and cloudy or.

[B]

You know what's funny? It's still very sunny.

[A]

Great.

[B]

Okay. But it's just cold. Yes.

[A]

So there are some regions of the US that don't get much sun, so they might find themselves saying, oh, we could really use some sunshine right now.

[B]

Right. We could use the rain. We could use the. Yeah.

[A]

Rain. We're not getting much snow in Colorado this year. It's really bad. And we could really use it because of droughts in the summer and wildfires. We need a base.

[B]

Ah. Huh. Yeah. Yep.

[A]

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[B]

Right. Or I'd love a warm cookie right about now. And that's common, too. Just to say, like, right about now, right?

[A]

Oh, yes, for sure. Or I could really go for, like, I could really go for a movie night with my friends.

[B]

Or I could really go for a long hike in the nice weather.

[A]

Or you could say, X would be great. Now, some of these are. This is good when someone's offered you something, like, for example, a food or a beverage, right? Sure. Tea would be great. Would you like some tea? I have, you know, chamomile, I have lemon. Right, sure. Tea would be great.

[B]

Right? Or let's say you're being asked to choose a kind of cheese for your sandwich. Oh, I have Gouda. I have cheddar. I have Swiss. Oh, cheddar would be great. Yeah.

[A]

What's your go to cheese, Michelle? If you order like a cheeseburger, what are you putting on it?

[B]

Well, in, in general, I would say that I like cheddar if I have to choose. Yeah. If I have to choose a cheese. What about you?

[A]

I'm the same thing. I, you know, I, I like to go to Europe and try all these fancy cheeses, but really I just want good, sharp cheddar.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's so basic, not sophisticated, but it's good. It's just satisfying, you know.

[B]

Sharp. Exactly. So I love all of these because they're polite, but they also show what you want. So they are really Great for connection and just those moments when you need something, but you want to be pretty polite and maybe a little less direct. Lindsay, any other thoughts of these on these? Before we move into a role play,

[A]

I think we're giving our listeners a really nice. In a sense, like a social skill. Right. This is, like. This is more so lang. A language skill, but also a social skill, because we need moments to be indirect so we don't ruin the vibe with people, Right?

[B]

Yeah, definitely.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Okay. So in this role play, you are at my house. All right, so we're in someone's home here. Okay. Okay. Sit, sit. Want something to eat, drink?

[B]

I could use something. Sure.

[A]

Great. I have orange juice, coffee, water.

[B]

Oh, coffee would be great, thanks. Okay.

[A]

I'll make myself some too. I could really go for some caffeine right now right about. I'm sorry. I could really go for some caffeine right about now.

[B]

Oh, same.

[A]

And food. I have homemade brownies. Want one?

[B]

Yes, I'd love a brownie.

[A]

Oh, that's what I could use right now. Coffee brownies. Hello.

[B]

Coffee and brownies. Oh, my gosh. Lindsay. Water.

[A]

Why did I say water?

[B]

Yeah. Boring. Yeah, I know, right?

[A]

Ooh, coffee and brownies. Yeah. Okay, so let's go. Let's go through this, Michelle. So you. So I said, sit, sit. So you've come into my home, and it is. This is a cultural note, too. It is very customary in American culture when someone comes into your home to offer them something to consume, right? Yeah. Usually it's like a drink, right? Yeah. Water.

[B]

That's.

[A]

That's what we should do in American culture. That's just a norm. Okay, Right.

[B]

And then I said, I could use something. Sure. So you can also add shore on. I just wanted to point that out.

[A]

Yeah, Very positive. And again, you. It's like you've been offered this, but you're not saying, yes, I need water. Yes, I need coffee. I need this. You're saying, I could use it. It also means you don't have to have it. Right. That's the other thing we haven't talked about. You could use it, but you also could survive without it.

[B]

Right. You're not gonna die if you're not gonna die.

[A]

Yes. Which way to be indirect. And I said, great, I have orange juice, coffee, water. And by the way, when people start listing those things, especially when you're a guest in their home, they're expecting you to jump in and say, I'll have what you shouldn't.

[B]

Like.

[A]

You can wait until you hear everything but then don't wait too long after that.

[B]

Right. Because maybe they don't have. I mean, honestly, in my house, I don't have like, I don't really keep juice. I pretty much have.

[A]

Yeah, we don't.

[B]

Coffee, water, some tea. Yeah.

[A]

People might not have a whole thing. Arsenal of, you know, of drinks. Right.

[B]

So then they're just going to. Oh, and I'm running out of things to say. Better respond. It's like, oh, you don't like any of my options.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, socially connection wise, there's a need to really respond relatively quickly after you stop listing. You don't want to have a blank time. And then they'll think, oh, gosh, I don't have enough.

[B]

And then everybody's staring at each other.

[A]

And so you said, coffee would be great, thanks.

[B]

Yeah. And then he said, okay, I'll make myself some too. I could really go for some caffeine right about now.

[A]

And then it gets even better. I mean, not everyone will do this. When you walk into a home in American culture, usually, yeah. Sometimes you'll be offered food. It depends on the home if they bake or if they're into food.

[B]

Right.

[A]

But I said, in food, I have homemade brownies. Want one?

[B]

And I said, yes, I'd love a brownie.

[A]

Yes. I would always say yes to that. For sure.

[B]

Good stuff.

[A]

This is great. Really cool skill that we're giving our listeners today. Guys, go to 2581. Go wild with this trending English word.

[B]

All right, Another good one. Yeah. Final thoughts? Yeah, this is just, I mean, this is going to come into your life as, you know, you are going to need these phrases. These are totally different than maybe what you're used to using. And they're very casual, very polite, and just great for those situations where you're. Oh, I could use something. Sure. You know, there's. We've really talked through it today, so give it a try.

[A]

Yeah, this is good for so many contexts. Like we said, travel.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Travel in a group or with a per one person going to someone's home, checking into a hotel or something. Right. Any kind of type of place where. Going to a restaurant. Right. There's. It's just the variety is incredible here, guys. So go listen to this episode again. Make sure you fully understand and go out into the world and connect. Right?

[B]

Absolutely. All right, well, I could use a, A break. I don't know. Yeah, I guess I could use a

[A]

five minute break from recording. And we'll be right back for the next episode. Very soon. Right.

[B]

All right, Lindsay, I'll talk to you later. Thanks for that listener question, guys.

[A]

All right. Talk soon, Michelle.

[B]

Bye. All right. Bye.

[A]

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/fluencyscore. And if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time. It's tax season, and at LifeLock, we know you're tired of numbers, but here's a big one you need to billions. That's the amount of money and refunds the IRS has flagged for possible identity fraud. Now here's another big number. 100 million. That's how many data points LifeLock monitors every second. If your identity is stolen, will fix it, guaranteed. One last big number. Save up to 40% your first year. Visit lifelock.com podcast for the threats you can't control. Terms apply. Spring just slid into your DMs. Grab that boho. Look for that rooftop dinner, those sandals that can keep up with you. And hang some string lights to give your patio a glow.

[B]

Up.

[A]

Spring's calling. Ross, work your magic.