All Ears English Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: AEE: Do Phrasal Verbs Wind You Up?
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Aubrey Carter
Release Date: November 1, 2025
Duration: ~17 minutes (not including ads and outro)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the notoriously tricky phrasal verb “wind up,” covering its five primary meanings in American English. Lindsay and Aubrey explore each usage with lively banter, relatable stories, and plenty of practical examples. Their conversation is tailored for intermediate to advanced English learners, focusing on connection, not perfection.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction to “Wind Up” and Episode Purpose

[02:53]

• Lindsay and Aubrey open with a personal anecdote about an unexpected football game outcome, using “wind up” in context.
  • Aubrey: “Yeah. It did not wind up like we thought it was going to.” (03:27)
• They set up the episode’s aim: unpacking the multiple meanings of “wind up,” a frequently confusing phrasal verb for ESL learners.

2. The Five Core Meanings of “Wind Up”

1. To End Up in an (Often Unexpected) Situation

[04:27–05:38]

• Explained as very similar to “end up.”
• Example: “If you keep skipping classes, you’ll wind up failing the course.” (04:41)
• Past tense is “wound up,” not “winded up.”
  • Aubrey: “He wound up in Paris after taking the wrong train.” (05:09)
• Anecdotes about accidentally ending up somewhere unexpected.

2. To Conclude or Finish Something

[05:49–06:46]

• Used for meetings, events, or businesses.
  • “Let’s wind up the meeting. We’ve covered everything on the agenda.” (05:54)
• Lindsay connects it to business English:
  • “I’ve heard this phrase being used to… close down a company… to wind up the records for that company…" (06:05)
• Informal use for parties/events:
  • “By midnight, the party was winding up.” (06:35)

3. To Irritate or Annoy Someone (Colloquial, British English Influence)

[07:01–07:42]

• “She really knows how to wind up her little brother.” (07:15)
• Typically used when someone is intentionally provoking or teasing, especially common among siblings.

4. To Prepare or Activate Something by Winding (Literal Sense)

[07:42–08:25]

• Used for clocks, toys, etc.
  • “I need to wind up the old clock every week.” (08:06)
  • “He wound up the toy and let it go.” (08:15)
• Explains the physical action of turning or cranking to get something started.

5. To Cause Someone to Feel Anxious or Nervous

[08:31–09:02]

• Slightly different from being irritated—more about becoming tense or agitated.
  • “Don’t wind yourself up about things you can’t control.” (08:41)
  • “Don’t get wound up by what he says.” (08:54)
• Lindsay and Aubrey highlight it’s often used in a comforting or cautionary way, but with a note on being careful not to dismiss someone’s feelings.

3. Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• Lindsay: “This phrasal verb is fascinating because it makes no sense between this one and the next one example here.” (06:46)
• Aubrey: “That is what’s really crazy about this phrasal verb—that its meanings seem so opposite.” (07:42)
• Lindsay: “So this is a challenging episode today, I have to say that. Don’t worry if you’re not getting all these meanings. Just aim to get one or two…” (12:36)
• Aubrey: “If phrasal verbs wind you up, you are not alone. They are frustrating. Especially when one phrasal verb can have so many different meanings.” (16:28)

4. In-Depth Role Play: “Wind Up” in Natural Conversation

[10:56–14:18]
Lindsay and Aubrey perform a dialogue while playing a board game, incorporating all five meanings of “wind up”:

• Aubrey: “I can’t believe I wound up at the wrong cafe this morning.” (11:08)
• Lindsay: “Don’t get wound up about it.” (11:17)
• Aubrey: “My little brother won’t stop trying to wind me up about it.” (11:21)
• Lindsay: “Okay, we need to wind up this game so we can get ready for the party. Otherwise we’ll wind up being late.” (11:27)
• Aubrey: “I also need to wind up that old clock before we leave.” (11:36)
• They comment on the oddity and flexibility of the phrasal verb, noting that using all meanings in one conversation is uncommon but can be part of playful banter.
  • “Sometimes native speakers riff on each other and banter by actually coming up with different uses that mean something different.” (11:59)

5. Cultural and Emotional Awareness Tips

[13:16–14:18]

• Use "don’t get wound up" carefully, as it may unintentionally dismiss someone’s feelings.
• Aubrey: “It is sort of giving someone the message that, like, they shouldn’t be feeling their feelings… so this is one to sort of be careful with, wouldn’t you say, Lindsay?” (13:31)
• Lindsay agrees, encouraging listeners to “tread lightly” with this phrasing.

6. Recap and Takeaways

[16:17–16:54]

• Acknowledge the difficulty of multi-meaning phrasal verbs.
• Key message: It’s fine to only remember one or two definitions at first—expand as you get comfortable.
• Aubrey: “It does help now that you’re aware of all of these different meanings… you’re not going to make the mistake of assuming it’s that [just one meaning]…” (16:28)

Useful Timestamps

• 03:02 – Personal story with “wind up” in context
• 04:27–07:42 – Breakdown: 5 meanings of “wind up”
• 10:56–14:18 – Full role play with explanatory breakdown
• 13:16 – Emotional nuance (be careful with “don’t get wound up”)
• 16:17 – Recap and encouragement

Additional Resources Mentioned

• Laundry Series Episode: All Ears English 2487: “Laundry in English Part Three – Overwhelmed by Laundry? Make it a Connection Moment” (16:01). Discusses making everyday topics, like laundry, a connection point in conversation.
• Episode focus: Emphasizes playful learning and practical usage over rote memorization.

Summary Takeaway

“Wind up” is a multi-faceted, sometimes baffling phrasal verb. Rather than memorizing all uses at once, listeners are encouraged to observe “wind up” in context, try using one or two senses, and gradually build up understanding through authentic conversation. Most importantly, perfection isn’t required—connection is the key.

Closing Message:
“If phrasal verbs wind you up, you are not alone. They are frustrating… but now that you’re aware of all these different meanings… you’ll recognize them and use them to make better connections.” — Aubrey Carter (16:28)