AEE: Is All Ears English Your One in a Million?

Summary

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All Ears English Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Is All Ears English Your One in a Million?
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Date: April 25, 2026
Podcast Theme: Helping ESL learners improve their American English fluency using real-life idioms, vocabulary, and expressions—focused on “connection, not perfection.”

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Episode Overview

This episode marks part one of a three-part series exploring English idioms that use numbers. Lindsay and Michelle focus on idioms with the number "one," examining how these phrases are used in everyday American English to express uniqueness, priorities, and more. The conversation is lively and relatable, with plenty of tangible examples, personal anecdotes, and a fun, mnemonic approach to help listeners remember each expression.

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Key Discussion Points & Idioms

1. The Power of Idiomatic English

• Learning Idioms by Theme: Lindsay and Michelle advocate that learning idioms grouped by theme (in this case, numbers) works as a mnemonic device, aiding retention and natural usage.
  • "When we learn things in themes or sections or chunks that are all related to each other, we do learn better. So this is a little advantage we're going to give our listeners today." — Lindsay (03:16)

2. “The One and Only” VS. “My One and Only”

• The One and Only:
  • Used to introduce someone as special or unique, sometimes with a bit of showmanship or even sarcasm.
  • Example: “And now I’d like to introduce the one and only Lindsay.” — Michelle (05:12)
• My One and Only:
  • Typically has a romantic tone, referring to a life partner.
  • “Dan is my one and only.” — Michelle (05:29)

3. “Number One”

• Used to describe what or who is most important in your life.
  • “Family is number one in my book.” — Lindsay (05:51)
  • Can also be phrased as a question or a statement: “Who is your number one?”

4. “One Hit Wonder”

• Refers to a person (usually a musician) or song that is successful once but never repeated. Lots of fun, pop-culture references here!
  • “Mambo Number Five… was that… so Lou Bega never had another hit?” — Lindsay (06:37)
  • “Apparently ‘It’s Raining Men’ is a one hit wonder.” — Michelle (08:47)
• Comparison with enduring artists (Taylor Swift, Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga).
• Can apply to both songs and artists.
  • “Sometimes I feel like we refer to the song itself and the singer as a one hit wonder.” — Lindsay (08:16)

5. “One in a Million”

• Means someone or something is unique and very special.
  • “My best friend is one in a million. She’s been there with me through thick and thin.” — Lindsay (10:52, paraphrased)

6. “One and Done”

• Refers to doing something once and not repeating it (commonly used about having one child, but can apply to anything).
  • “You have one of something and emphatically you don’t want anymore.” — Michelle (11:24)
  • “She says she’s one and done, but who knows?” — Lindsay (15:03)
• Can also describe a class, activity, or experience you only want to do once.
• Trendy usage for parents having only one child.

7. “One Way or Another”

• Means “somehow” or “by any means necessary.”
  • “One way or another, we will make this happen.” — Lindsay (13:22)
  • Real-life example: Michelle recounts searching online for a specific stuffed toy for her child (13:44 - 14:17).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Idioms for Fluency:
  • “Fluency isn’t just about correctness. It’s about sounding natural… Real fluency comes from understanding patterns, tone and natural expressions.” — Michelle (01:20)
• On “One Hit Wonder”:
  • “I was thinking of Mambo Number Five… Remember that?” — Michelle (06:31)
  • “I wonder if [Lady Gaga]’s gonna be… a one hit wonder. Clearly, she became pretty big!” — Michelle (07:11–07:22)
• On “One and Done” and Parenting:
  • “There were moments… when I had my first child… my friends would be like, ‘oh, no, I think I’m one and done.’” — Michelle (11:47)
  • “I heard going from 1 to 2 is really a bigger change almost than going from 0 to 1, or just a change in a different way.” — Lindsay (12:15)
• On the Phrase “One in a Million”:
  • “For me, I feel like my mom was one in a million. She passed away this year, but she was one in a million. Very special, incredible empathy.” — Lindsay (17:29)
• Phrase Construction:
  • “To be one and done… You’re taking it on as kind of your identity in a way.” — Michelle (16:58)

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Role Play Breakdown (14:34–17:29)

Setting: Friends meeting at a party

• Multiple idioms are showcased in a conversation:
  • “I wanted to make sure I got here one way or another.”
  • “You’re one in a million.”
  • “Friends are number one to me.”
  • “I hear the one and only Megan is coming.”
  • “She says she’s one and done, but who knows?”
  • “My favorite one hit wonder ever!”
• The role play demonstrates how these idioms naturally fit into social settings.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:14] — Hosts discuss priorities: “Who is your number one?”
• [04:39] — Introduction to idioms with “one”
• [05:12] — “The one and only” versus “my one and only”
• [06:24] — “Number one” for priorities
• [06:27] — “One hit wonder,” musical examples
• [10:48] — “One in a million” idiom explained
• [11:14] — “One and done” in parenting and life choices
• [13:13] — “One way or another” with real-life parenting example
• [14:34] — Role play featuring all idioms
• [17:29] — Reflection on connection and idioms in life

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Conclusion & Connection Takeaway

The episode drives home that idioms with "one" are everywhere in English, useful for expressing priorities, uniqueness, finality, and determination. Lindsay and Michelle stress:

• Connection matters more than perfection.
• Using idioms makes speech more natural and relatable.
• Thematic learning boosts fluency and memory.

They encourage listeners to reflect on who or what is their “one in a million,” and what experiences might be “one and done” for them.

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Listen to More

• For idioms with “two,” tune into the next episode on the Business English Podcast.
• Part three returns to All Ears English and will delve into expressions with “three.”
• Another recommended episode: “How to intentionally vary your vocabulary” (see sassy Saturday archives).

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Quote to Remember:
"You cannot go wrong with connection." — Lindsay (19:01)

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Transcript

[A]

This is the All Ears English podcast. Is All Ears English your one in a million? 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, Lindsey McMahon, the English adventurer, and Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl, coming to you from Colorado and New York City, 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 [e-mail] app today.

[B]

In this part one of a three part series, let's talk about idioms with the number Learn how to express who's important in your life and more. Many English learners focus on grammar. They want their sentences to be correct. But fluency isn't just about correctness. It's about sounding natural, choosing the right phrase, responding quickly without translating every thought in your head. That's why someone can know a lot of grammar rules and still feel uncomfortable in conversations. Real fluency comes from understanding patterns, tone and natural expressions. Our free 2 minute fluency quiz helps you discover your level and what skills will move you forward. Go to allearsenglish.com fluencyscore that's allearsenglish.com F L U E N C Y S C O R E.

[A]

Hey there, Michelle. How's it going today?

[B]

Hey, Lindsay. I'm good. How are you?

[A]

Oh, I'm feeling good. Michelle, who's your number one in life? Your number one?

[B]

Oh, my number one. I think I have a. I, I don't know if I can choose just number ones. Multiple number ones. Definitely. You know, family? My husband, my kids, my parents. Learn my. Yeah. So I, I don't know that I can choose one, but yeah. My family. How about you?

[A]

Well, I tell my, I tell my dog it's him every day. But actually it's probably my partner.

[B]

Right, Exactly. That's so funny. No, dogs can be a number one. Dogs can be a number one. Yeah. So today guys, we, I'm excited about this. We're going to start a three part series about numbers and idioms. So we're a 1, 2, 3. So we're gonna do these. So, you know, Lindsay, sometimes we do this. We teach idioms with themes and I always love this because I think it, it's good for remembering them.

[A]

It actually is. It's a mnemonic. A mnemonic device as they call it.

[B]

Right.

[A]

When we learn.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Things in Themes or sections or chunks that are all related to each other, we do learn better. So this is a little advantage we're going to give our listeners today. But before we get any further, guys, leave us a review on the show. Many students, when they do leave a review, they get their name announced on the show. So we'll try to announce your name on the show. And hit follow. Hit that follow button right here on Allers English to make sure you don't miss a single episode. Right, Michelle?

[B]

Absolutely. That's great. And so. So we're gonna do the first episode today over on Allers English. The second episode about the number two. Well, it's like Sesame street, like, but it' that is going to be over on the business English podcast that is our other show. Guys, if you aren't listening to the business English podcast, it's. It's so much more than business. It's. It's really focused on business English. But we always talk about how in B business, you're. You're still a human. Right. And so it. It teaches you so many overlapping skills. So we want to direct you there for the second episode, and then we're going to do number three back over here.

[A]

Awesome. Can't wait for this series. All right, so today, though, is all about the number one. All right, so shall we dive into our first idiom of the day?

[B]

Yep. So the first one is the one and only.

[A]

Yes, the one and only.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And this is different from saying my one and only.

[B]

My one and only.

[A]

Different because that usually has more of a romantic connotation, like your life partner, for example. But the one and only. What are you saying here?

[B]

Yeah, this is used a lot of times when you're introducing someone. Like, maybe they're. You're gonna. That they're gonna give a speech. They're a special person. You know, I. I might say. And now I'd like to introduce the one and only Lindsay.

[A]

Right. Yeah. I'd be like, whoa, pressure. No pressure.

[B]

You know, it. Definitely.

[A]

Yeah. They're important. They're being elevated by that intro. And I could just be. Be silly, too. You could just be saying that sarcastically. Right, Right.

[B]

But with. With my one and only. You might say like. I might say like, oh, Dan is my one and only.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, like that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So you can do that.

[A]

Yeah. The one love of your life, right?

[B]

Yes. Oh, yes. And then there's. Yeah, this. The number. Number one. That is what we used in the beginning. Then that means the most important.

[A]

Yes, exactly. So, for example, family is Number one in my book. So it's helpful in life if we have our priorities straight. And that way in key decision making moments.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

We can make a decision. Right. And so many people prioritize family. Right, yeah. And so this is a way to articulate that.

[B]

Okay, right, good. So you could say something is your number one or you could also say like in the beginning I said, who is your number one? So mine, it's my number one. Yes. Right. So that means, you know, your number one priority. Basically.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. And then one hit wonder.

[B]

I love this one.

[A]

Yep, yep. Can you think of any?

[B]

Any? So I was thinking of Mambo number five. Remember that?

[A]

Yeah. Was that. So Lou Vega never had another hit? Nothing?

[B]

I don't think so. I mean, I don't know. Yeah, probably.

[A]

Yeah, that was popular. People love that song. But it was just, it was all about that song. It wasn't necessarily about the artist creating other songs. The opposite of this would be like a Taylor Swift or Whitney Houston where they're just amazing singers and they just keep coming out with incredible work. Right, right.

[B]

And sometimes you can't tell when. I know. I remember when Lady Gaga came out.

[A]

Oh yeah.

[B]

And I remember, I still remember because at that time, that's when I used to intern at the radio station.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I remember talking to somebody there and I was like, yeah, I wonder if she's gonna be like really big or she's just gonna be a one hit wonder, clearly.

[A]

Right. She became pretty big.

[B]

Pretty big, yeah. So it's, it's interesting because sometimes you can't quite tell, I mean that you know if that person is going to come back or not so much. But.

[A]

Yeah, but she's really like. Isn't she supposed to be really talented musically? Like her voice? I think she's really, really talented. Yeah.

[B]

It's funny because Lady Gaga, I mean, I used to, I mean I always liked her music, but I used to find her as a person very irritating like she. But then she became so much more real as time went on and she seemed go through some sort of transformation and I feel like we're kind of at the real Lady Gaga and I. And I do like her a lot.

[A]

That's interesting. Yeah, yeah, for sure. Yeah. I'm trying to think of other one hit wonders. There are some that come out once in a while, but that's the thing, in the moment they come out, you don't know their first song. You don't know whether it's going to be a one hit. And sometimes I feel like we refer to the song itself and the singer as a one.

[B]

Both. Yes.

[A]

One hit.

[B]

One. Yes. It's right. True. I. I guess, I guess if you think about it, it's mostly the person

[A]

they are, logically speaking.

[B]

Right. I mean. Here, wait, hold on. I'm just gonna look up some one hit wonders and list them off.

[A]

Yeah, there's. There's a few there. Yeah, yeah, for sure.

[B]

Sometimes you can even be on something and they'll have like a one hit wonder party, you know? Okay.

[A]

Here.

[B]

Apparently it's Raining Men is a one hit wonder.

[A]

Oh, that was a great one. But they're usually good songs.

[B]

Right, Right. That's one. Yeah. Let's see. Let's see. Monster Mash.

[A]

Okay. Yep, yep. That one's always played around Halloween. We love it.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. That's the thing is sometimes it's always played around a certain. You know, it becomes popular because it deals with, you know, a certain season or something special where then you can, you know, re.

[A]

Re.

[B]

Purpose it every year.

[A]

So those are some good examples right there. I love that. So good. So good. If you're a small business, the right hire can be make or break. Helping the right people see your job posting isn't the best growth strategy when the pressure's on and you need the right hire. This is a job for Sponsored Jobs. Indeed Sponsored Jobs is a boost whenever you need to find quality talent. Indeed Sponsored Jobs gets you the quality candidates when you need them. Most people are finding quality hires on Indeed right now in the minute I've been talking to you. Companies like yours made 27 hires on Indeed according to Indeed Data Worldwide. Spend less time searching and more time actually interviewing candidates who check all your boxes. Less stress, less time, more results when you need the right person to cut through the chaos. This is a job for Indeed Sponsored Jobs. And listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves@ Indeed.com podcast. Just go to Indeed.com podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. That's I n d E-E-D.com podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Hiring headache. This is a job for Indeed Sponsored jobs. All right, Michelle. So do we have more examples of where one shows up in idioms?

[B]

Yes. So here is one. One in a million.

[A]

Yeah. So it's just saying someone or something is unique and special. Like my best friend is one in a million. She's been there with me through thick and thin. You're just Acknowledging that that person is special to you, Right?

[B]

Yeah, Yep, exactly. They're unique, they're special, they're important. And then this one is fun. One and done. Have you heard this?

[A]

Yeah, I. Oh, yeah, I feel like I've heard this recently a lot. Like, I hear it the most. Well, you are saying that when you hear about kids, right? Oh, yeah. If people have just one kid, sure.

[B]

Yes. Yeah, that's. That. That's how I hear it the most. But then, you know, it could just mean that you have one of something and emphatically you don't want anymore. Yeah.

[A]

You took one class and then you learn and then you don't want to go back. Or you achieved a level of mastery of something and you're done with that. It could apply to a lot of contexts, right?

[B]

Yes, exactly. But I definitely, I. There were moments I remember when I had my first child that I would talk to, you know, friends who were getting used to motherhood, and they would be like, oh, no, I think I'm one and done.

[A]

Yeah. Those people. Is it. Did it turn out to be true or did they end up having more kids? Those people.

[B]

I think one of them turned out to be one and done. Yeah. I mean, some of. Some of them are. I do. I have a lot of people that I know who decided just to have one child.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, it's. It's like, it's logical in some way. I mean, daycare is so expensive. The expenses of having a kid in the US Right now are astronomical. So, yeah, I think a lot of people our age, like millennials, that maybe if they weren't 100. Sure. If they were meant to be parents, they tried it, and maybe they just decided, okay, one's great. I heard going from 1 to 2 is really a bigger change almost than going from 0 to 1 or just a change in a different way. Just like a lot.

[B]

Yeah. It's all. It's funny, it's all different, you know, because the first one, you're.

[A]

You're. It's a total, total change.

[B]

Lifestyle change, your. Your responsibilities, everything changes. But then when you get to two, then you look at one and you're like, oh, wow. So easy. Yeah. Like. But it. But it's not. It's just because you're looking at it through someone who's already used to.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Certain changes.

[A]

That's true. So, yeah. Yeah. It's hard to say it's a one and done. Good one, I feel like, is kind of trendy right now, or.

[B]

Yes, I hear this a Lot, for sure. And another one is one way or another. So it means, you know, somehow, right?

[A]

Yeah, exactly. So, for example, one way or another, we will make this happen. I made you a promise, so maybe someone is worry that something won't be possible. You promise something to your kid and then it's looking like it's not going to happen and you say, no, no, one way or another, I'll make sure this happens. Right? Yeah.

[B]

I had a situation. I could have just said this to my son because, you know the Labubus. Oh, my God.

[A]

No, I don't know what that is.

[B]

Boo Boos.

[A]

What is that?

[B]

These little stuffed animals and I mean, think of like the Beanie Baby craze.

[A]

Oh, yeah, I remember Beanie Babies.

[B]

I was thinking about doing a Beanie Baby episode because I have all my Beanie Babies still. But labo boos are like, I'll show you a picture of one later. And he's. I have a little booboo coming in the mail today for him. And let's just say we spent an hour online looking for Labubus the other night. And so.

[A]

Yeah, one way or another, Michelle. Exactly.

[B]

So I was. Because he was disappointed he couldn't find someone. So I could have said, one way or another, I'm going to get you a Labubu. And it's true. Anyway.

[A]

Oh, that's good. Good stuff. I love it. All right, where to next, Michelle?

[B]

All right. Yeah, I guess we should go on to the role play now.

[A]

Yeah, let's do it. So here you and I, we are, friends at a party. All right.

[B]

Yes. Okay.

[A]

All right. Here we go.

[B]

Yes. So how have you been?

[A]

Good, thanks. I didn't know you were coming.

[B]

Oh, yeah, I thought I might not make it, but I wanted to make sure I got here one way or another.

[A]

Well, I'm so glad you did. You're one in a million.

[B]

Oh, thanks. Well, friends are number one to me.

[A]

Well, later. I hear the one and only Megan is coming.

[B]

Yeah. That's so exciting. Is she having another baby?

[A]

She says she's one and done, but who knows? Oh, my gosh, this song.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. My favorite one hit wonder ever.

[A]

It's a great one. We got a lot of ones in here.

[B]

Yeah, lots of ones, but one.

[A]

I mean, the word one and the number one comes up all the time in English. Right. So it's appropriate.

[B]

Right?

[A]

It doesn't. It doesn't feel overly.

[B]

I don't know. Yeah, it doesn't. Yeah. Like a little bit overdone in this Situation. But like, yeah, it's just used a different context. So it's just the word one that's repeated.

[A]

Exactly. And so I said, I can't believe you're. You're here. I didn't think you were going to come. And then you said, I wanted to make sure I got here one way or another. So maybe you had to take an Uber or hitchhike or. I don't know what you had to do to get there, but you had to do something special to get there.

[B]

Yes, exactly. And then you said, well, I'm glad you.

[A]

Good.

[B]

You're one in a million. So you're saying you're unique, you're special.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. Then you said, oh, thanks. Friends are number one to me. So it's. You're saying friends are my first priority, right?

[B]

Yep. And then you said, later, I hear the one and only Megan is coming. So you're not introducing Megan. You're not saying, here's the one and only Megan, but you're just saying like, she's special. Maybe she doesn't come to a lot of these things.

[A]

Something different about her. Something.

[B]

Something different. Yeah. Something unique.

[A]

Maybe she never can never make it. Yeah, there's something different about her compared to everyone else that's there, Right? All your other friends. Yeah, exactly. Then you said, is she having another baby? She says she's.

[B]

She's.

[A]

She said she's one and done, but who knows, Right? Meaning she said she's only. She said she's only gonna have one child and she'll be done. So to be. This is interesting. An interesting grammatical construction for our listeners, guys. Bonus here.

[B]

To be one and done.

[A]

One and done. It's not she will have one and be done or right. It's like you're taking it on. I'm one and done, Right?

[B]

Yeah, we're one.

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

It's like you're taking that on as kind of your identity in a way.

[A]

Like, yes, I.

[B]

You know, I'm one and done. That's how you.

[A]

You hear it.

[B]

People are using it to describe themselves. So.

[A]

Interesting. Really interesting.

[B]

What else, Michelle? And then you heard a song starting. You said, oh, my gosh, this song. And I said, my favorite one hit wonder ever.

[A]

And then I said, it's a great one, which is just not one of our.

[B]

I didn't even think about that one. I just wrote it.

[A]

We tagged that one on.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So good. So good. Guys, this is great. I mean, again, another amazing connection skill. We can use this to talk about people in our lives who Are one in a million. I mean, for me, I feel like my mom was one in a million. She passed away this year, but she was one in a million. Very special, unique, very empathetic, incredible empathy, levels of empathy. And yeah, who is your one in a million? Is it a parent, is it a grandparent? Someone very special to you. And then to talk about. Well, there's a lot of ways we could take this, Michelle, in connection. I mean, what are the things you only want to do once in your life and then you don't want to do it again, Right?

[B]

Yep, yep, yep. Exactly. There's so, there's so much you could do with these. These are really powerful. And so guys, again, remember to hit follow on the business English podcast and this podcast so you don't, you don't miss episodes two and three of the series. So definitely stay tuned for those.

[A]

And if you are just hungering for more Allers English at this moment, there is more Allers English. Don't worry, there is a great episode you could check out. This was a sassy Saturday episode. How to intentionally vary your vocabulary. Go check that one out. Scroll down just a few, a few weeks and you will find it right there. All right.

[B]

Yes, good. Exactly. Well, this has been fun, guys. Keep learning with these themes for, you know, these are really good for just remembering things and. Yeah, yeah. So let us know how it goes and we'll see you back for the second episode on business English.

[A]

Exactly. And just come back to connection every time, guys. You cannot go wrong with connection. There you go. All right.

[B]

All right, guys. Have a good one. Lindsay.

[A]

Bye, Michelle. Bye bye. Thanks for listening to Allears English. Would you like to know your English level? Take our two minute quiz. Go to allearsenglish.com 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. Foreign the right window treatments change everything. Your sleep, your privacy, the way every room looks and feels. @blinds.com We've spent 30 years making it surprisingly simple to get exactly what your home needs. We've covered over 25 million windows and have 50,000 five star reviews to prove we deliver. Whether you DIY it or want a pro to handle everything from measure to install, we have you covered. Real design professionals, free samples, zero pressure right now. Get up to 45% off site wide. Plus get a free professional [e-mail] rules and restrictions apply. Security program on spreadsheets, new regulations piling up and audit dread. It's time for Vanta. Vanta automates security and compliance, brings evidence into one place, and cuts audit prep by 82%. Less manual work, clearer visibility, faster deals, zero chaos. Call it compliance or call it compliance. Get it join the 15,000 companies using Vanta to prove trust. Go to vanta.com calm.