AEE: How to Get the Hang of Idioms

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Ears English Podcast – "AEE: How to Get the Hang of Idioms"

Release Date: March 18, 2025

In the episode titled "AEE: How to Get the Hang of Idioms," hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan delve into the intricate world of English idioms, specifically focusing on expressions that convey the process of becoming accustomed to new situations or environments. By leveraging content from their affiliated Business English Podcast, they provide listeners with practical idioms that enhance both professional and everyday conversations.

---

1. Introduction to Idioms for Adaptation

The episode kicks off with Lindsay introducing the theme: mastering idioms that help express adaptation and acclimatization in various contexts. She emphasizes the podcast's mission to prioritize connection over perfection, encouraging learners to embrace the natural flow of English through relatable expressions.

Notable Quote:

Lindsay McMahon [00:06]: "Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection."

---

2. Highlighting Key Idioms

Drawing from their Business English Podcast, Lindsay and Michelle present four essential idioms that are instrumental in expressing the act of getting accustomed to new experiences:

1. Get a Feel for Something
2. Feel Something Out
3. Get a Sense of Something
4. Get the Hang of Something

Notable Quote:

Michelle [07:25]: "So, yeah, one thing you could say is to feel something out. Right. So instead of get a feel for something, you could say, feel something out."

---

3. In-Depth Exploration of Each Idiom

a. Get a Feel for Something ([03:46] - [07:25])

This idiom signifies the beginning stages of understanding or familiarizing oneself with a new system, job, or hobby. Lindsay illustrates its usage with examples related to job transitions and personal experiences.

Example:

Michelle [04:09]: "We just switched our company over to digital records, but I'm still getting a feel for the system."

b. Feel Something Out ([07:25] - [10:58])

Equivalent to "get a feel for something," this phrase is often used when gauging someone's openness or the viability of a project. It implies a more investigative approach, such as asking open-ended questions or engaging in casual conversations to gather insights.

Example:

Michelle [07:38]: "I want to feel out how much Sheila is open to learning for the new project."

Notable Quote:

Lindsay McMahon [11:20]: "I think 'feel something out' is good because this is actually how we gather information."

c. Get a Sense of Something ([09:03] - [11:35])

Similar to the previous idioms, "get a sense of" involves obtaining a general understanding or impression of a situation or environment. It's particularly useful in assessing workplace culture or new environments.

Example:

Lindsay McMahon [09:13]: "I want to get a sense of how our clients feel about the changes we have been making."

d. Get the Hang of Something ([10:58] - [11:13])

This expression focuses on mastering a specific task or skill after initially struggling with it. It's often used in learning contexts, such as becoming proficient with new software or procedures.

Example:

Michelle [10:58]: "Let's get the hang of this new software before we move on."

---

4. Practical Application Through Role Play ([12:24] - [15:04])

To reinforce understanding, Lindsay and Michelle engage in a role-play scenario where a new employee navigates their first day at work. This demonstration showcases how the idioms can be seamlessly integrated into real-life conversations.

Scenario Highlights:

• Lindsay: Offers support to Michelle, indicating that she will "get a feel for how to find your way."
• Michelle: Expresses the challenge of navigating the building, mentioning the need to "get a sense of how to get around."
• Humorous Twist: They incorporate humor by discussing the embarrassment of getting lost multiple times, emphasizing the natural struggles in new environments.

Notable Quote:

Lindsay McMahon [12:37]: "I know it feels like a lot, but you'll easily get the hang of things over time."

---

5. Extending the Conversation to Business Contexts ([15:04] - [17:55])

Moving beyond personal adaptation, the hosts discuss the importance of these idioms in business settings. They highlight how understanding these expressions can aid in effectively navigating workplace dynamics, building relationships, and enhancing communication.

Key Points:

• Listening Over Speaking: Emphasizing the value of observing and understanding workplace culture.
• Interview Techniques: Using idioms like "get a feel for" during interviews to assess candidate suitability.
• Dating at Work: Addressing the delicate nature of personal relationships in professional environments.

Notable Quote:

Michelle [11:35]: "It's saying, we don't know yet. We don't know yet. Will what will be the final opinion?"

---

6. Recommendations and Further Learning ([17:16] - [18:09])

Lindsay and Michelle encourage listeners to explore more episodes from the Business English Podcast to deepen their understanding of idioms and business-related expressions. They briefly touch upon topics like handling mistakes at work and the nuances of discussing dating in the workplace.

Notable Quote:

Aubrey Carter [17:16]: "We share so much interesting vocabulary, slang, phrasal verbs, idioms, all of which that we use a lot at work, but also in everyday conversations."

---

7. Key Takeaways ([15:30] - [16:11])

To conclude, the hosts summarize the episode's main points, reiterating the significance of mastering idioms that facilitate better understanding and connection in both personal and professional spheres.

Summary Points:

• Learning Through Experience: Emphasizing that understanding often comes from immersive experiences rather than direct instruction.
• Expressing Nuances: Utilizing idioms to convey subtle feelings and ongoing processes.
• Versatility of Idioms: Highlighting the adaptability of these expressions across various contexts.

Notable Quote:

Lindsay McMahon [15:30]: "This is all about just really understanding that most of the time, we learn things not by being told them, but by figuring them out."

---

8. Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Michelle [04:09]: "We just switched our company over to digital records, but I'm still getting a feel for the system."
• Michelle [07:25]: "So, yeah, one thing you could say is to feel something out. Right."
• Lindsay McMahon [11:20]: "I think 'feel something out' is good because this is actually how we gather information."
• Lindsay McMahon [12:37]: "I know it feels like a lot, but you'll easily get the hang of things over time."
• Michelle [15:30]: "This is all about just really understanding that most of the time, we learn things not by being told them, but by figuring them out."

---

9. Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, Lindsay and Michelle adeptly intertwine educational content with engaging dialogues and relatable scenarios. By focusing on idioms that describe the journey of adaptation, they equip English learners with the tools to articulate their experiences more naturally. The integration of content from the Business English Podcast adds depth, making the episode valuable for both personal growth and professional development.

Listeners are encouraged to practice these idioms in their daily conversations to enhance their fluency and connect more authentically with others. Additionally, exploring related episodes can further bolster their command of English expressions in various contexts.

---

Join the Community: To continue improving your American English skills and stay updated with valuable content, subscribe to the All Ears English Podcast. Embrace the journey of connection and fluency with hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan.

Transcript

[Aubrey Carter]

This is an All Ears English podcast. How to get the hang of idioms.

[Lindsay McMahon]

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 Lindsay McMahon, the English adventurer, coming to you from Arizona and Colorado, usa. Do you struggle to get the hang of idioms? You're not alone. Today you'll learn four idioms for getting used to something. Listen in to use this vocabulary to connect with friends about something new in their life. Hello, Aubry, how are you today?

[Aubrey Carter]

I'm great. Lindsay, how are you?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Excellent. Excellent. So today I am excited to bring an amazing episode of the business English podcast over here on to All Ears English. What are we featuring today on the show?

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah, we taught some amazing idioms in a recent episode of Business English. So many idioms that we use at work, we also use in daily conversations. And these are amazing for connecting over something new that your friend is doing, maybe a new job, a new hobby. So we want to make sure that you don't miss out on these idioms.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, it's so true. It's very weird. If we only use, you know, textbook business idioms at work, that never happens. Right. And vice versa, in our daily lives. We can use business idioms in our daily lives over here on Allers English. So we're going to go ahead and jump into this episode for our listeners. Anything else we want to let them know before we go ahead and play the episode.

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah, well, we want to make sure that you guys follow the business English podcast. If you missed this episode, you are missing a lot of amazing vocabulary that we use not only at work, but in every conversations. So be sure to follow the business English podcast and we'll stick around to the end because we are going to share our favorite idiom from the episode.

[Lindsay McMahon]

All right, so here is an episode from our business English podcast. Here we go.

[Michelle]

Hey, Lindsay, how are you?

[Aubrey Carter]

Great.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Michelle, how are you? How's it going?

[Michelle]

Good, good, thanks. Lindsay, when's the last time you learned something new for work?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, learn something new. Oh, my gosh. I'm always learning new things, but I can't think of anything specific.

[Michelle]

I know. Sometimes it's hard on the spot, right? I know I put you on the spot.

[Lindsay McMahon]

That's okay. I'm always learning new marketing things. So yesterday was the last time, Michelle.

[Michelle]

Okay. Yeah. I mean, do you tend to. Do you remember if you did anything to get a feel for how it worked. Maybe there's something you were specifically learning, maybe on the computer or.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, so learning how to mobile optimize different pages, different web pages is something. So even just today I was learning how to work with the mobile app optimization to get a feel for how the display would look on mobile versus desktop. So, yeah, you just gotta try things out, Michelle. Try things out.

[Michelle]

Yeah, definitely. And one thing you guys should try out right now is if you haven't already, you should hit the follow button wherever you are. Listening to the business English podcast. Podcast. So you never miss an episode.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Love it. So hit follow now, guys. So do you use this expression, Michelle, get a feel for something?

[Michelle]

This one is really common, I think. Yeah, yeah, but what does it mean?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, my gosh. It basically means to begin to understand something, like to get familiar with it.

[Michelle]

Right, right, right, right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

So it doesn't mean you have to know everything, but you're starting to get a sense.

[Michelle]

Yes, yeah, exactly. All right, so here, let's do some examples. Here's the first one. We just switched our company over to digital records, but I'm still getting a feel for the system.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes. Or I think my new job. I. Sorry, I think.

[Michelle]

Wait, I think I'm supposed to say I think I like.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I think I like my new job, but I'm still just getting a feel for everything. Yeah.

[Michelle]

Okay. Or I'm trying to get a feel for how Hadley works. Do you have any insight?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Nice. Yeah, I think you're right. I think it is super common. It's another way of saying trying to understand something. Right.

[Michelle]

Yeah. To me, this is really useful because you're in this in between space. You're working on something. The wheels are in motion, you're in the process. And so, yes, this can really express that type of a feeling. Feeling. And you really use it to show that you're working towards something. Now it can be working towards something very specific. Learning a system or learning. Learning a person or learning how you feel about something.

[Lindsay McMahon]

That's interesting too, right? We're going to talk about that a little bit. A little bit more later in the episode. I love that. All right, so let's see things that we're trying to get a feel for right now. I'm trying to think, well, when I visited New York this past weekend, I mean, I know New York, so this might not be the best example, but I was trying to get a feel for how things have changed since the pandemic. I guess that works.

[Michelle]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Trying to Get a feel. And what was I doing to get a feel for it? I was walking the streets, as you do in New York, to learn anything. Right. Walking the streets of Chelsea and trying to get a feel for what was different and what was still the same.

[Michelle]

Right, right, right. And for me, you know, I had a big move this year, and I am more in a suburban situation now. So I'm trying to get a feel for life in the suburbs. And there are things that I really. There are things that I like, and there are things that I miss from city life. You know, I would say the number one thing is the grocery situation. I'm always thinking, when can I get to the grocery store? When I used to just hop out my door and I lived right next to someone. So I'm trying to get a feel for how my grocery shopping works, you know, how. How to plan for things. And.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes, yes, Interesting. Love that. And again, it's like. It's a process. It shows that you're in a process of lear something, learning about something. It's not the final piece of information. You're on the road to learning more. Right, right, right, right.

[Michelle]

So it's almost like, oh, there's an expression. The verdict still out.

[Lindsay McMahon]

We could do.

[Michelle]

We could do a whole. We could do a whole episode about that. But we. It's saying, we don't know yet. We don't know yet. Will. What will be the final opinion Right. From the suburb life for this kind of a system or whatever. Right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

The verdict's still out. I also say. More often I say the jury's still out. But I. You also say that the verdict is still out. Essentially, it means the same thing. Right. The jury is deliberating.

[Michelle]

Right, right. That's true. Interesting. Oh, we should do an episode on courtroom.

[Lindsay McMahon]

That would be fun, because we did one on accounting expressions. So there's definitely a lot to be done there for our listeners. Love that guys hit follow to catch that episode. So there are other ways to say this, though, Michelle. You don't always have to say, you know, get a feel for something. You could say related things.

[Michelle]

So, yeah, one thing you could say is to feel something out. Right. So instead of get a feel for something, you could say, feel something out. So I want to feel out how much Sheila is open to learning for the new project.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. And what would you do to figure that out? Like, what would that mean exactly in terms of. Maybe you would drop some questions. Yeah, right, right.

[Michelle]

Yeah, exactly. Maybe I'm gonna ask some questions. Maybe I'll. Maybe I'll take her to lunch and I'll talk about the new project and see if she sounds right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

It's kind of what we do when we interview people, fill someone out.

[Aubrey Carter]

Right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

We get a sense of. You ask open ended questions. Like we were working on our business course, our new professional English level one that's coming out in the spring and we're talking about why do interviewers ask the question tell me about yourself? It feels like such a vague, broad, lazy question, but it's actually pretty strategic for them, for the interviewer, because they want to know how you describe yourself. It says a lot about you, how you answer that question, doesn't it?

[Michelle]

Right. Yeah. Well, they're trying to feel you out. They're trying to understand you. Also, another time when you feel someone out is when you're dating. Right. You're trying to get a feel for the person. What are they like? Do you like them? Are they nice to waiters and waitresses? Right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Michelle]

Trying to learn about them.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. You kind of need the time in the same space, physical space, just to see how they interact with the world. Another way to do that is to go traveling together. We talked about this on the show. You know, take that before you marry someone, travel internationally with them. Right. And see what happens.

[Michelle]

Yep, yep. And then there's also Get a sense of. Now, Lindsay, I think you mentioned this one already. So I want to get a sense of how our clients feel about the changes we have been making.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes, I love that one. Get a sense of. Again, it's not getting the exact answer, it's getting around the answer, getting in the ballpark of the answer. Okay. As a busy entrepreneur, I need reliable team members who have specific skills. And when I'm hiring, I want qualified candidates applying for the job fast. One of the best things about Indeed is that it streamlines hiring to make it fast because it allows you to look for very specific skills when you post your job. As we gear up to expand our team this spring, I plan to use Indeed. So if you're in charge of hiring at your company, stop struggling to get your job post seen on other job sites. Indeed's Sponsored Jobs helps you stand out and hire fast. With Sponsored Jobs, your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster and it makes a huge difference. According to Indeed data, Sponsored jobs posted directly on indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. There's no need to wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed and listeners of this podcast will get a 75 sponsored job credit. To get your jobs more visibility at indeed.comae just go to indeed.comaee right now and support our show by saying that you heard about Indeed on this page podcast. One more time, go to I n d e e.com AE terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need.

[Michelle]

Or.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Get the hang of something. This is more learning something. How to do something a little bit different. A little different. Let's get the hang of this new software before we move on. Okay, so just to make sure that's clear, that's learning how to do something and these other ones are learning about someone or.

[Michelle]

Okay, Right, right, right. Lindsay, which does. Do any of these feel the most natural or common to you?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, I think feel something out is good because this is actually how we gather information. Most of the time we're not asking direct questions and getting direct answers. We're asking indirect questions or listening more to gather info and then come to a conclusion later on. Right?

[Michelle]

Yeah, yeah, definitely. So any other thoughts on why this is useful for business? I mean, it's not only getting a feel for something. You're Lear. We were talking about learning about a person, learning if something will be okay with a person. Learning how your co workers think and work. I think it's very important to get a feel for the people you work with.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, I think the importance of when you're new at a job, feeling out the workplace, listening more than you speak. We've talked about that on this show before. Is this the right place for me? Right. Getting a sense. Is this the right corporate environment? Is this what I want? You have to listen for the cues that are going to be maybe under the surface, not in the direct words people are saying.

[Michelle]

Right? Yeah, very good point. Should we do a role play?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Michelle. Michelle. Michelle. Let's do it. So here you are, new at the office, and I am showing you around. Perfect new office situation. Here we go. I know it feels like a lot, but you'll easily get the hang of things over time.

[Michelle]

Thanks, Lindsay. Right now I'm just trying to get a sense of how to get around this building.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, it's so confusing. I know. If you want to take a walk with me during lunch, I can help you get a feel for how to find your way.

[Michelle]

Thanks. I'm still fine feeling out my new smart watch too. Maybe the GPS will help me.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Well, that's an awful scenario. You imagine your. Your first day at work, first week, and you still haven't Figured out the building, not to mention your place. And then you're like, your worst fear is your co worker is going to find you lost in a corner somewhere.

[Michelle]

Well, I just was. I had to go for something at my son's school, and his school is kind of big circle, and I'm still trying to feel out how to get around. And I had to find the teacher's lounge, and I had to ask for directions on the way, and I'm just kind of circling around, and it's like, oh, God.

[Lindsay McMahon]

It's like one circle's okay, but two or three, you start to get a little embarrassed. Is it me? You're like, right, Exactly. Yeah.

[Michelle]

That's where say, oh, see, it's just. And this. This and this. You just say, oh.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Michelle]

And you have no idea what they're talking.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, they use those trigger words like, oh, it's just over here. It's just that way. They make it sound so easy. Right. I love that. I think we did do an episode on just once. We may do a new one soon. Who knows? We'll see. Yeah. All right, Michelle, let's break this down here. So what did I say first?

[Michelle]

You said, I know it feels like a lot, but you'll easily get the hang of things over time. So this is specifically about learning.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay, good. Yeah. And then I said. And then you said, thanks, Lindsay. Right now I'm just trying to get a sense of how to get around this building. So it's not even so so much as work. It's actually, I just can't get to get to the door of the workplace.

[Michelle]

And then you said, if you want to take a walk with me during lunch, I can help you get a feel for how to find your way.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes. Again, it's not like she's gonna sit and lecture you on all the turns to make, but you're gonna sense out and get a feel of the layout.

[Michelle]

Of the space of the land. Yep.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. And then you said, thanks. I'm still feeling out my new smartwatch, too. Maybe the GPS will help. So you just got a new smartwatch and you're trying to kind of make.

[Michelle]

A joke about like. Yeah, oh, I'm gonna actually need a GPS here.

[Lindsay McMahon]

You might. Who knows? Who knows, right? Great. What was another episode our listeners could go to right away to keep listening?

[Michelle]

Yeah, guys, check out episode 380. That was accidents happen. How to say you made a mistake at work?

[Lindsay McMahon]

I really like this one because it matters so much what we say. We all make mistakes. So what Are we going to say? Because that's going to determine our reputation at work. How much do people trust us and how much do they respect our competence? Right.

[Michelle]

Yeah. Yeah. Very important. All right, takeaways for today. What do you think?

[Lindsay McMahon]

All right, Michelle. This is all about just really understanding that most of the time, we learn things not by being told them, but by figuring them out. We figure them out. We use our senses, our sense of smell, touch, taste, to figure out what we think of something and what is the. The geography of something. So we need words to express that.

[Michelle]

Definitely. All right, well, that sounds good to me, guys. We hope you gave you a sense of how to use these expressions and try them out in the business world and in your personal life. Go for it.

[Lindsay McMahon]

All right, sounds good, Michelle. I'll see you back here very soon. You have a good day.

[Michelle]

You too. Bye, Lindsay.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Bye. All right, Aubry, we are back. What did we think about that episode?

[Aubrey Carter]

Oh, so many good idioms. I think my favorite is to get a feel for something. I use this a lot, right? Oh, you know, I've started something new, and I'm just barely getting a feel for it. Means I'm getting used to it, especially if it's a pretty big change.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. Personally, I, like, get the hang of it, right? Getting, you know, asking someone how it's going if they're learning something new, hey, are you getting the hang of this? How's it going? Can I help? That sort of thing, I love.

[Aubrey Carter]

And this is for any new hobbies, new job, Right. If you run into someone and they share that they're doing something new, this is the perfect thing to say, oh, are you getting the hang of it? What a great way to connect, to go a little deeper, you know, to let them be open. If it's kind of a difficult transition, I love it.

[Lindsay McMahon]

So, guys, go ahead over right now and open your search bar. Look for Business English. Right? You'll see the yellow come up if you want to get more of these Business English episodes. Aubry, what kinds of things? What kinds of topics do we cover over on the business English podcast?

[Aubrey Carter]

We share so much interesting vocabulary, slang, phrasal verbs, idioms, all of which that we use a lot at work, but also in everyday conversations. We also share a lot about American business culture and just culture in general. We recently talked about, should you talk about dating at work on that podcast? That was really interesting.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Great question. And then we cover all the fundamentals of a workday. Meetings, which we know is a big challenge. Presentations, interviews. We go into different contexts around these situations for you, including socializing and small talk, which is a huge piece of it because we need to build those relationships, right Aubrey?

[Aubrey Carter]

Exactly.

[Michelle]

Yes.

[Aubrey Carter]

So be sure you're following the Business English podcast as well as Allers English so you don't miss any of our amazing episodes.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yep. So go ahead and search for the podcast now and hit follow. All right, Aubrey, well thanks for being on the on the podcast today and I'll see you next time.

[Aubrey Carter]

Awesome. See you next time.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Take care. Bye. Thanks for listening to all ears. English Would you like to know your English level? Take our 2 minute quiz, go to allearsenglish.com forward/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.

[Advertiser]

Omaha Steaks Semiannual Sale is back save 50% site wide on Legendary Steaks, Juicy Air, Chilled chicken, Beefy burgers and so much more. Plus get an extra $35 off when you use code tender during [e-mail] today. This sale only happens twice a year, which means it's the perfect time to stock up on the world's best steak experience with America's original butcher. With five generations of family owned experience, Omaha Steaks are hand selected from the finest grain finished beef naturally aged at least 28 days to maximize tenderness and hand carved by master butchers with every bite backed by their 100% guarantee. Shop now to save 50% site wide on steaks and more during the semi annual [e-mail] plus get an extra $35 off with code tender at checkout. That's 50% [e-mail] and an extra $35 off with code Tender. Minimum purchase may apply.