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Lindsay McMahon
This is the All Ears English podcast. No dice. Fun ways to say something didn't work. 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. 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 forward/app.
Michelle Kaplan
When something doesn't work out, what can you say in a more light hearted way without being too serious, Find out how this phrase maintains the connection today.
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Michelle Kaplan
Hey Lindsay, how are you?
Lindsay McMahon
I'm feeling good, Michelle. How are you? How's it going?
Michelle Kaplan
Everything is good over here. Lindsay, Is it easy to find parking where you live? Yeah.
Lindsay McMahon
No, not really. It's tough because I live in a neighborhood where a lot of people don't have a garage and so there's a lot of street parking. That happens. So it can be tricky. Um, but we actually have, we do have a garage so we don't have to worry about it too much. So we're lucky. Yeah.
Michelle Kaplan
What about you?
Lindsay McMahon
No problem?
Michelle Kaplan
Well, when I used to live in the city. Yeah, it was. I mean. Oh, gosh. I mean, I just remember circling and circling. Yeah. With Dan. And then you have to park further away and. But now certainly it's much easier.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah.
Michelle Kaplan
But yeah. In the States and if you don't live in a big city, you drive a lot. And so depending on where you're going, parking can be tricky.
Lindsay McMahon
Yes.
Michelle Kaplan
So. But yeah, sometimes it can just feel like, all right, you circled around again and then you just go, no dice.
Lindsay McMahon
I know. You really? No dice. Yeah.
Michelle Kaplan
So, yeah. When you try to find parking, you have no luck. Say no dice. Right.
Lindsay McMahon
So I could say to you, hey, Michelle, any luck finding parking?
Michelle Kaplan
No dice. Yeah.
Lindsay McMahon
So are you talking about like playing a game, like a gambling game here? What are we talking about here?
Michelle Kaplan
So, yeah, no, today we're talking about how to use this no dice and daily conversation. And it's. And it's not just for parking, it's for any casual situation. Yeah. To me, this is a really fun phrase to learn because it's an easy way to build connection, it's playful. It's really about luck or not really so much being lucky.
Lindsay McMahon
Right, right, right. Because it's more often used, it's really just used in the negative. Right.
Michelle Kaplan
You don't ever say dice. No, no. So it's really no. You want it? It's only.
Lindsay McMahon
No was like saying you didn't get what you, what you were looking for, didn't get what you were hoping for. Right?
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah, but it's kind of a little bit light hearted. It's a little relatable. So even in your, if you're in an unlucky situation, it's a little on the lighter end.
Lindsay McMahon
Yep, totally. So we're going to get into this one today. We love giving you guys these supernatural expressions you probably never learned in school or in your dictionary or any other app or podcast. We're getting into them here on the show. First though, make sure you hit the follow button on Apple podcasts or Spotify or if you're on YouTube, hit subscribe so you don't miss a single one of these episodes. All right?
Michelle Kaplan
Exactly. Yes. So Lindsay, where does this phrase come from?
Lindsay McMahon
Well, it was originally about gambling. We looked into it a little bit. So in dice games, if the role wasn't what you wanted, you could say no dice. Right. But then of course, it expanded to be a common everyday saying. I love thinking about etymology of words, Michelle.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah, it's really, really interesting. Yeah. So I mean dice, of course, we all know dice. They're the, with the what's. Lindsay, is dice plural or.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah, I think so. I think die is the singular. Isn't that right? Am I wrong? Okay, good.
Michelle Kaplan
Yes. As far as I know, it's die and dice. Yeah, but I don't like when you're playing, if you're playing a game and do you ever say like, give me the die? Not really, you ask? Not really. Everyone just kind of says dice.
Lindsay McMahon
I mean, everyone kind of says.
Michelle Kaplan
It sounds a little, it sounds like a little like hoity toity, like, oh yeah, can I have the die? Right.
Lindsay McMahon
No.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah. Oh, so yeah. But so how can we use no dice?
Lindsay McMahon
Well, it's casual, so we're not going to use it for professional situations. Maybe if your boss asks you how that sales conversation went and it just totally fell through and it was a high stakes scenario, you might avoid it there or yeah. Serious or emotional topics like health or relationship issues. Let's say you go back for like a scan or something as a bad result. It's too heavy. This is too heavy. Those topics. Right, right.
Michelle Kaplan
I mean you could use it at work if it's you know, more in your light hearted, you know, but not a very serious situation. And it depends of course on your company culture and your relationships with everyone. But yeah, this is in general, it's for lighter topics. It, it's basically like saying I tried something and didn't work or I'm not gonna get it. Right.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah, exactly, exactly. And other things you might say no success. So for example.
Michelle Kaplan
Well, I mean this is what like another kind of meaning? Right. It's just like it's no success. Right. So.
Lindsay McMahon
Yes.
Michelle Kaplan
Did you get a hold of her?
Lindsay McMahon
No dice. So I did not have success. Right. These are all the men of all the different like iterations of the meaning of no dice. How about no luck? Right?
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah.
Michelle Kaplan
Any luck finding your keys?
Lindsay McMahon
No dice.
Michelle Kaplan
Okay. Or if something didn't work? Right.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah. I mean did your computer finally work once you restarted it?
Michelle Kaplan
No dice, right?
Lindsay McMahon
Oh no. Yeah.
Michelle Kaplan
I mean and it can also be used. It doesn't have to be just if somebody's asking you the question, you might just say something like oh my gosh. And today was like with storytelling. This is really good. Oh, I was trying. And then Lindsay, you mentioned you almost got locked out of your apartment today. You know, so you could, I mean you could say. And I was, I was putting the keys in and it was just every. I was trying everything but no dice.
Lindsay McMahon
No dice. Exactly. Right. Yeah, that would be a great example. The, the little keypad stopped working because the battery died. So I was standing out there, I was looking at my dog and I'm thinking we might be spending the day in the hallway.
Michelle Kaplan
Wait, so what ended up happening?
Lindsay McMahon
Actually luckily my, my parents in law had a key in a lock box it behind us. So yeah, very smart. So I was able to just get the key and get into the house. But I was panicking for a minute there. My dog was too keer. He was like whining. He was hungry. Yeah.
Michelle Kaplan
So. But yeah, this is great for storytelling and it can also be used for something that's just not allowed. So like you asked, you were told no or you already Know it's not allowed from previous experience. Experience.
Lindsay McMahon
Right. So for example, can we bring outside food into the theater?
Michelle Kaplan
Ah, no dice.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah. So who would say that? And that, would that be like a friend? You're asking a friend? Or would it be like, like a person working at the theater? Just so we know the perspective there.
Michelle Kaplan
I, I personally think, I don't think that the person working at the theater would say this. Right. If it's a theater, maybe if it's a sports game, a little bit more casual something, but like a theater, I feel like they would say, oh, sorry. Right. And that goes along with that episode we did about like something just isn't allowed. Right, right. Right. So. Or something is impossible. But this would be more. Okay, I've been at this theater before. You're asking me. And then I might say, no dice. And I might expand and say something like, I wish we could, but no dice. They've yelled at me about it.
Lindsay McMahon
Right.
Michelle Kaplan
Or something like that.
Shopify Advertiser
Right.
Lindsay McMahon
Like this place is especially strict, so sorry, no dice. Can't do it. Right.
Michelle Kaplan
Exactly.
Lindsay McMahon
Or maybe you're talking to your spouse. Right. Can she watch the movie?
Michelle Kaplan
No dice. She's too young.
Lindsay McMahon
Right. So maybe one spouse has a very strong perspective on that. Right, right.
Michelle Kaplan
Yep, Exactly. Yeah. That is a tricky thing, deciding, you know, what movies you can show your kids.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah, for sure.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah.
Lindsay McMahon
Interesting.
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Lindsay McMahon
And what if you get stuck?
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Michelle Kaplan
a e.
Lindsay McMahon
All right, so let's talk about alternative phrases. No luck. I mean, I think our listeners have figured out that this is an alternative. Right. This is neutral Casual, a little less playful. But maybe it's softer than no dice. Maybe no dice has a bit of a. A harder edge to it. Maybe potentially it's a little bit more
Michelle Kaplan
blunt, but it's still playful. So it's kind of interest thing. Yeah, yeah, it's kind of a unique expression.
Lindsay McMahon
So how's the java hunt going?
Michelle Kaplan
No luck so far.
Lindsay McMahon
Right, right. So of course you could have said there. No dice so far. I guess. I don't know if it goes with so far. I think no dice, period. Right. It's like it stands on its own, that phrase.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah.
Lindsay McMahon
But no luck so far is a good alternative. Any luck with the WI fi?
Michelle Kaplan
No luck. I just can't get it to work.
Lindsay McMahon
All right. And did you find a seat?
Michelle Kaplan
No luck.
Lindsay McMahon
Ah. What about no go? Is that another thing we could say, Michelle?
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah, that's another good one. So that. Yeah. Not allowed or not possible? So it's more matter of fact, not quite as playful, but also really useful. So were you able to book a later flight?
Lindsay McMahon
That's a no go.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah, yeah. Or can we park here? No go. Or can you come out tonight?
Lindsay McMahon
No go. I'm absolutely exhausted. Yeah, Yeah, I like to say that's a no go. It feels.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah, that's another. Same here. Yeah, I. I like that too. I don't know. I don't know that I would say like just no go, but. Right. Possible in some context. Yep. All right, so should we do a role play?
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah. So here, Michelle, we are friends, and we're trying to make last minute dinner plans. So we're gonna try a few things here. You ready?
Michelle Kaplan
Okie dokie.
Lindsay McMahon
Hey, any luck making a reservation for tonight?
Michelle Kaplan
No dice. Everywhere is fully booked, unfortunately.
Lindsay McMahon
What about that new place by yours?
Michelle Kaplan
Oh, no luck either. They're not answering their phone.
Lindsay McMahon
Okay, so should we just grab takeout from that Chinese place and eat at mine?
Michelle Kaplan
No go. It's actually closed today. Wow.
Lindsay McMahon
It sounds like tonight is not our night.
Michelle Kaplan
I know. I said we just call it and try again next week.
Lindsay McMahon
Agreed. Oh, there's so much good stuff in this role play.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah, there's a lot of interesting. Yep, I was thinking the same thing.
Lindsay McMahon
So we'll focus here on our pieces for today. So. Yeah, you said, you know, any luck making a reservation? And I said, oh, no dice. And I. I mean, it didn't work. I could not get us a reservation. Right.
Michelle Kaplan
Yes. And then you said, what about that new place by yours? Which is. Do you want to make.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah, so. So this is something I think we're gonna. We're gonna do another episode on for sure. So in this role play, we said both buy yours or eat at mine. We're talking about our homes, our places where we live, our apartments.
Michelle Kaplan
But I actually don't think that we say this that much. Like, I think it's. I think it might be more British, actually.
Lindsay McMahon
I think it's. I've heard Australians say this more. Actually. I don't know if it's British or Australian or both. Probably both, because they're kind of like there's some connection there for sure. Yeah, I think you're right. That's interesting. But. But I think it's good if our listeners know it because it does cross over into American English sometimes.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah. So I said, no luck either. They're not answering their phone.
Lindsay McMahon
And I said, should we just grab takeout from that Chinese place and eat at mine? And you said, no, go. It's actually closed today.
Michelle Kaplan
We're just gonna starve. No. There must be somewhere. We'll figure it out. Lindsay. Yeah. So, guys, check out episode 2555. That was capture the connection when you agree with someone in English.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah. And there was another good bonus in this role play, too. In the last line, you said. I know. I say we. I say we just call it and try again next.
Michelle Kaplan
Call it. Right.
Lindsay McMahon
So this could be an episode in the future, Michelle. Guys, hit follow if you want to catch this ways of sort of saying you're gonna give up.
Michelle Kaplan
Right, Right. Call it.
Lindsay McMahon
Yeah, let's. Let's declare. I don't know. Well, you'll have to come up with what we're going to teach our listeners for that episode. But I know there's some good stuff.
Michelle Kaplan
Exactly. So, yeah, takeaway for today is just. Yeah, these are some really useful expressions. No dice. We talked about how useful it is, and. Yeah, sometimes things unfortunately just don't work out.
Lindsay McMahon
Sometimes things don't work out. And that's what this episode is about. It's nice, though, if you can. I mean, these are scenarios that you can get pretty frustrated, especially the parking example is a good example. And especially if you don't know the person well, you want to maintain the connection. No dice is a way to. To like, maybe hide your frustration a little bit.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah, yeah, right.
Lindsay McMahon
And be a little less serious about it, which can be good to build a relationship, I think.
Michelle Kaplan
Yeah, definitely. All right. I think we should leave it at that.
Lindsay McMahon
All right, Sounds good, Michelle. See you next time.
Michelle Kaplan
Take care. All right. Bye, Lindsay. Bye, guys.
Lindsay McMahon
Bye. 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. Some Follow the noise. Bloomberg follows the money, whether it's the funds fueling AI or crypto's trillion dollar swings. And there's a money side to every story. Get the money side of the story. Subscribe now@bloomberg.com
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Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Episode Date: May 23, 2026
Topic: Playful Expressions for Failure or Lack of Success in American English
In this lively episode, Lindsay and Michelle unpack the playful expression “no dice!”—a casual, natural-sounding way Americans say something didn’t work or wasn’t possible. The conversation covers when, where, and how to use this idiom and compares it to other similar phrases. Through relatable real-world scenarios and a dynamic role play, they demonstrate how to build authentic, connected conversations in English, emphasizing the value of choosing language that maintains a positive tone—even in disappointment.
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