BE 523: Do You Put Your Blood, Sweat, and Tears into Learning English?

Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Business English from All Ears English
Episode: BE 523: Do You Put Your Blood, Sweat, and Tears into Learning English?
Host(s): Lindsay McMahon (A) & Michelle (C)
Release Date: January 29, 2026
Theme:
This episode explores the meaning and use of the idiomatic expression “putting your blood, sweat, and tears” into something—in this case, learning English and business endeavors. Lindsay and Michelle discuss what it means to be truly dedicated to a goal, share similar business English idioms, and reflect on the balance between passion and work-life harmony in American business culture.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Difference Between Understanding and Participating in English

• [00:38] Lindsay: Emphasizes that participating in English—speaking up, adding ideas, reacting naturally—is very different from simply understanding what is said.
• Quote:

  “There’s a big difference between understanding English and participating in English. Understanding means you follow the conversation. You participate by adding your ideas, reacting naturally and keeping the conversation moving.” (Lindsay, 00:38)

Introducing the Idiom: Blood, Sweat, and Tears

• [02:27] Michelle: Introduces the episode’s focus idiom, “blood, sweat, and tears,” inspired by hearing it on the TV show Shark Tank.
• Meaning: Putting tremendous effort, passion, and dedication into a project, career, or goal, often at personal sacrifice.
• Clarification: The idiom, while a bit “gross” in literal language, is never about actual blood, sweat, or tears—it’s always figurative and means deep commitment.
• Quote:

  “If you put your blood, sweat and tears into something... it just means that you are really, or have been, or are really dedicated to it.” (Lindsay, 02:45)

• [03:20] Lindsay: This level of passion often involves “a lot of sacrifice.”
• Note: Don’t use this idiom lightly—it should be reserved for truly significant efforts.

Example Sentences

• “I’ve put my blood, sweat and tears into this invention and I’m not going to give up on it now.” (Michelle, 03:58)
• “Every day I put my blood, sweat and tears into this job. It’s my passion.” (Lindsay, 04:05)

American Work Culture Reflection

• [04:47] Lindsay: Highlights that Americans often value total commitment to a cause or project.
• Discussion about whether one “works to live” or “lives to work,” a common cultural debate.
• Quote:

  “I think it’s definitely something that we love in American culture: having something that we dedicate our lives to.” (Lindsay, 04:47)

"Baby" as a Metaphor

• Projects or businesses are sometimes called “my baby,” showing the depth of attachment.
• Misunderstanding/Clarification: The word “baby” can refer to both actual children and one’s work/creation. (05:46-05:54)

Related Idioms & Expressions for Passion and Dedication

• Eat, Sleep, and Breathe [Something]:

  • Meaning: Something is a central part of your life; you’re immersed in it, not necessarily with the same level of sacrifice as “blood, sweat, and tears.”
  • Example:

    “I eat, sleep and breathe spreadsheets. I know my stuff.” (Michelle, 06:34)
    “You and I eat, sleep, and breathe this stuff.” (Michelle, role play, 09:33)

• Give/My/Our All; Give it Everything I Have:

  • Meaning: Committing all your energy and resources, regardless of outcome.
  • Example:

    “We gave it our all. It was actually really interesting.” (Lindsay, role play, 09:30)

• Put Your Heart and Soul Into [Something]:

  • Meaning: Expresses deep emotional investment in a project or task.
  • Example:

    “We really put our heart and soul into it.” (Lindsay, role play, 09:38)

• Being "All In":

  • Meaning: 100% committed to pursuing something.
  • Example:

    “All in. Yes, that’s another good one. Yeah. To be all in.” (Michelle, 09:42)

Role Play: Using Idioms in Context

[09:24-09:42] Lindsay and Michelle act as coworkers reviewing their dedication to a recent project, seamlessly using the highlighted idioms in context.

Memorable Exchange:

• Michelle: “I really feel like we both put our blood, sweat and tears into the project in January.” (09:24)
• Lindsay: “We gave it our all. It was actually really interesting.”
• Michelle: “You and I eat, sleep, and breathe this stuff, so I’m not surprised.”
• Lindsay: “We really put our heart and soul into it. We are all in, right?”

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Cultural Insight & Deeper Question

[10:19-11:04]

• Lindsay and Michelle invite listeners to reflect: Is it better to have complete dedication (“blood, sweat, and tears”) in one area of life, or to prioritize balance?
• Quote:

  “Do you live to work or work to live? Or do you believe that it’s worth putting your blood, sweat and tears into something in your life, at least maybe one thing? Or are you more concerned with balance in life?” (Lindsay, 10:33)

They encourage listeners to discuss this with friends or in their Open Conversation Club, highlighting the importance of reflecting on what makes for a meaningful and satisfying life and career.

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Takeaway Messages

• Use “blood, sweat, and tears” and similar idioms to express deep effort and commitment in business or personal contexts—but only for situations that truly merit it.
• Recognize and appreciate the cultural values around work, dedication, and life balance, especially in international professional settings.
• Practice these expressions to sound natural and passionate in English business communication.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “There’s a big difference between understanding English and participating in English.” — Lindsay, [00:38]
• “If you put your blood, sweat and tears into something... it just means that you are really, or have been, or are really dedicated to it.” — Lindsay, [02:45]
• “We put our heart and soul into this project, and now we just have to wait and see what they say.” — Michelle, [08:38]
• “All in. Yes, that’s another good one.” — Michelle, [09:42]
• “Do you live to work or work to live? Or do you believe that it’s worth putting your blood, sweat and tears into something in your life...?” — Lindsay, [10:33]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Content | |-----------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 00:38 | Key distinction | Understanding vs. participating in English | | 02:27 | Episode idiom introduced | “Blood, sweat, and tears” | | 03:41 | Example structures | “I put my blood, sweat and tears into…” | | 04:47 | American work culture | Passion and work-life balance | | 05:53 | “Baby” metaphor | Project/business as “my baby” | | 06:34 | “Eat, sleep, and breathe” | Related idiom introduced | | 07:49 | “Give it my all” | Related idiom | | 08:30 | “Put your heart and soul into…” | Related idiom | | 09:24 | Role play | Idioms in conversation | | 10:33 | Cultural reflection & open question | Work-life balance vs. total dedication |

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Episode Tone

Friendly, conversational, and supportive, with plenty of natural humor. Both Lindsay and Michelle make the idioms memorable and easy to understand by connecting them to pop culture (like Shark Tank) and real work experiences.

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Summary for Listeners

This episode delivers practical business English idioms for expressing dedication, as well as invaluable cultural insights about work, passion, and life balance in American business. Through humor, clear examples, and real-world context, Lindsay and Michelle give you the tools to sound more natural and passionate in the workplace—plus, they challenge you to reflect on your own approach to work and growth.

Transcript

[A]

This is the business English podcast, episode five, two, three. Do you put your blood, sweat and tears into learning English? Welcome to the Business English podcast from All Ears English. Get the English skills you need to achieve your dreams in global business for a presentation, a meeting, or your office party. This is real business English with your favorite American hosts, Lindsay and Michelle coming to you from New York City and Colorado, usa.

[B]

There's a big difference between understanding English and participating in English. Understanding means you follow the conversation. You participate by adding your ideas, reacting naturally and keeping the conversation moving. Many English learners are strong listeners, but hesitant speakers. Once you know your current fluency level, it becomes much easier to close that gap. Take our free 2 minute quiz to discover your level and what to focus on next. Go to allersenglish.com fluencyscore that's allersenglish.com flu e n c Y S C O R E.

[A]

Hey, Michelle, how are you today?

[C]

I'm good, Lindsay, how are you?

[A]

Really good, really good. What's going on today? What are we talking about?

[C]

Well, Lindsay, do you still watch Shark Tank a lot? I know you, you've watched that.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, I do watch that. It's on TV a lot.

[C]

A lot. And it's a good, it, it is. And it isn't a good going to sleep show because, you know, then you get sucked in and it's really interesting.

[A]

Yeah. You really want to know what's going to happen with the entrepreneurs? Are they going to get their funding? Who are they going to get it from? It is a good show. Really brilliant idea. Yeah.

[C]

And today we are going to teach an expression that is commonly used on this show. I actually was just watching and I heard it. That is also really great to show your passion for something at work or in your regular life. And it's kind of a morbid sounding, gross expression, but it's very common.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. So that, that express here for today is drum roll. Michelle, do you have a drum roll for us?

[C]

Blood, sweat and tears.

[A]

Yeah, Blood, sweat and tears. It is kind of gross. These are, you know, bodily fluids, right?

[C]

Yes. It's disgusting.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I mean, so what does it mean? I mean, if you put your blood and blood, sweat and tears into something, what does it mean?

[A]

It just means that you are really or have been or are really dedicated to it.

[C]

Right.

[A]

You have, you know, you've worked on something for much of your life. Maybe it has become your life. You put everything into it.

[C]

Yeah. So with these entrepreneurs on Shark Tank, I mean, they might say, yeah, we, oh, Come on. We put our blood, sweat and tears into this. We were everything, you know, like. Right. So it's, it's basically, it's their passion. They have put like financially, time. They've really put a lot into this.

[A]

Yeah. A lot of sacrifice. A lot of sacrifice. We're going to talk about this today and because maybe you've heard this before, you don't know what it means. You're wondering how you can use it too, guys. So before we get any further into the episode, make sure you hit the follow button right where you're listening on business English. So hit follow. So we show up in your queue three days a week.

[C]

Okay, Exactly. So, yeah, often you will hear it used like this. I put my blood, sweat and tears into X. Yes. So, for example, I've put my blood, sweat and tears into this invention and I'm not going to give up on it now.

[A]

Yes, good. Or every day I put my blood, sweat and tears into this job. It's my passion. Yeah.

[C]

So this is not literal. No, hopefully not.

[A]

Unless.

[C]

Well, have you ever heard somebody say it about food? It's like, oh, I like, I made like a baker. Like, I made this cake. I put my blood, sweat and tears into it. And you're like, I hope. I hope not. Yeah, that sounds like a health problem. Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Regulation. Health regulation.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly so. Exactly so. But it, you know, it's. It's not literal, but it's very common and passionate and. Yeah, it can sound a little extreme. You don't want to use it.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

If you're something like about, you know.

[A]

Yeah. Save it for the things that you really have put everything into.

[C]

Right.

[A]

And there are other. But this idea is, I think it's definitely something that we love in American culture, is having something that we dedicate our lives to. Well, this kind of. Well, this comes back to a bigger conversation, Michelle. Around work to live. Live to work. I think we respect this. When people find something that they just throw themselves all in on and maybe we work more, but I think a lot of people think it's worth it. They feel that it's worth it to have, like, have the baby that they're growing.

[C]

Right.

[A]

In a sense.

[C]

Right.

[A]

Not everyone does. Some people just want more of a balance in life and that's where they find their satisfaction. But it is sort of a debatable thing, right?

[C]

Oh, yeah, absolutely. When you do have a child, you know, a lot of times you have to make these decisions and kind of like reprioritize things that maybe you thought would happen versus what now? You know, things change. So it's. It's really interesting.

[A]

Yeah. You're talking about a literal baby. And what I meant by baby was, was sometimes people will call their business their baby.

[C]

Their baby. That's true.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Their business baby. Yes, but then there's also the literal baby. Yes, sure, yeah. Sometime. Yes, exactly. So, but we're going to talk about other idioms or other ways you can kind of, you know, say a similar thing. So the first one is eat, sleep and breathe, which is another funny one. So this is about your interests. It could be about how much work you put into something, but this one is also. It's a little less extreme, but it's just maybe how you spend your time in general. Yeah. So, for example, I eat, sleep and breathe spreadsheets. I know my stuff.

[A]

Nice. Yeah, just you're really good at something. You do something all the time.

[C]

Right.

[A]

Could be a hobby too, right? Something that you just. Yeah. Interest, hobbies. I eat, sleep and breathe, team management strategies. It's really important to me. So maybe you go to all the conferences, you do all the coaching, you read everything about that.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

You eat, sleep and breathe it.

[C]

Okay. Exactly.

[D]

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[A]

All right, so other things you might say is I give it my all or I gave it my all or I give it everything I have. Right?

[C]

It's another good one. So I give this job everything I have, which is a good thing, but I also need to focus on a good work life balance.

[A]

Or we gave it our all. We have nothing to be ashamed of. And sometimes you give it your all and it doesn't work out like a business fails or you don't get the funding on Shark Tank, for example. Yeah, yeah. That's. That's the reality of the. Of the open market, which is. Is a good thing. I mean, the market responds to what it wants, right? Not so much. How do we could put all the work in the world and the business still fail if you don't have a good product, Right?

[C]

Yeah, exactly. Or we're going to do one more. To put your heart and soul into something.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Yeah. Also very similar idea. We put our heart and soul into this project and now we just have to wait and see what they say.

[A]

Or we should feel really good about this. We put our heart and soul into it and we should have no regrets. And that's kind of true too, right? When you take on something, you kind of want to put everything into it, because if you don't, then you might regret it later. You might think, I should have. I should have tried harder.

[C]

That's true.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[C]

It's. Yeah. You never know, like, how you're gonna feel about, you know, a change that you make a prior when you make something different a priority. There's just so many things that can come from it.

[A]

All right, let's do a role play, Michelle. So here we. Excuse me. We are co workers reviewing a project from last year. So see what we did. All right.

[C]

Okay. Wow. I really feel like we both put our blood, sweat and tears into the project in January. Definitely.

[A]

We gave it our all. It was actually really interesting.

[C]

It really was. You and I eat, sleep, and breathe this stuff, so I'm not surprised.

[A]

Same. We really put our heart and soul into it. Yeah. We are all in, right?

[C]

All in. Yes. That's another good one. Yeah. To be all in.

[A]

Be all in. So here you said, wow. I really feel like we both put our blood, sweat and tears into that prayer project in January. And I agree.

[C]

We tried really hard. And use a. Definitely. We gave it our all.

[A]

Yep. We did everything we could.

[C]

Right.

[A]

100% work. And then. And then you said it really was you and I eat, sleep, and breathe this stuff, so. Meaning we were very involved with whatever it is that we were creating. Right.

[C]

Yeah. And then you said, we really put our heart and soul into it.

[A]

Good. Yeah, I mean, I think that's. Yeah, it's. It leads a big. To a bigger question that I feel like we could have with our community. Guys, if you're in our courses, you're automatically invited to open Conversation Club. This is the kind of question we might ask. An Open Conversation Club is You know, I guess. Do you live to work or work to live? Or do you believe that it's worth putting your blood, sweat and tears into something in your life, at least maybe one thing? Or are you more concerned with balance in life?

[C]

Right.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. So very interesting, really interesting question that I, I want to address with our listeners another time. So really good. Yes.

[C]

Yes. Guys, check out episode 513 of the Business English podcast. That was how to own your apology at work. Really important stuff there.

[A]

Yeah, good. And then that's kind of the takeaway is like, go to the bigger idea. Talk to your friends about this. What do your friends believe about lifestyle? Is lifestyle more important or is challenge and overcoming a challenge more important? In terms of what is a good life? What is a life? Well, live. What does that actually look like?

[C]

Deep stuff today, Lindsay.

[A]

I know we're getting deep. We like to get deep on this show, Michelle.

[C]

Yes. Yeah.

[A]

All right, well, you have a good rest of your day and you will be back soon, all right?

[C]

All right. Bye, Lindsay. Bye, guys.

[A]

Thank you for listening to Business English, a podcast just for you, the high achieving global professional. Want more from All Ears English? Don't miss our biggest and best podcast with 8 million monthly downloads. Just search for the All Ears English podcast and hit follow to get four new episodes per week on fluency, American culture, grammar, and so much more. Or tap the link in the show notes. Remember, we believe in connection, not perfection when it comes to learning English. Follow the All Ears English podcast now.

[C]

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[A]

So I went on to BetterHelp to

[C]

try to look for a therapist to

[A]

help me with that. My relationship with my family and with my boyfriend and with myself were suffering.

[C]

I really needed help.

[D]

I was ruminating a lot. Really getting those thoughts out to a therapist and getting feedback was just life changing.

[A]

Discover what BetterHelp online therapy can do for you. Visit betterhelp.com today.