Episode 63: Why Idioms in English Are So Hard to Understand

07min | 05/18/2026

Description

English, please is a podcast designed to help improve your English by listening to clear, intermediate English about many different topics like history, culture, art, music, travel, and language.

Episode 63: Why Idioms in English Are So Hard to Understand
In this episode, I explain why idioms are one of the most frustrating parts of learning English. The words are familiar, but the meaning is something completely different. We'll look at five idioms that native speakers use every day and talk about exactly why they're so hard to understand the first time you hear them.

Want to keep practicing after you listen? Subscribe to the free English, please newsletter at comullen.com/newsletter. You'll get English practice tips and activities with every new episode, plus three FREE resources delivered straight to your inbox: a free sample lesson from the English Listening Accelerator, 60 Phrases Native English Speakers Use Every Day, and the new idioms guide, 25 Idioms Native English Speakers Use Every Day.

Want more structured practice? Try a free sample lesson from the English Listening Accelerator at comullen.com/listen.

I'm on YouTube! I share short, practical English content on my channel!

Episode transcript

Podcast website

Get the English Listening Accelerator!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About English, please

Struggling to find intermediate English content that's actually interesting? English, please is hosted by Christopher, a TEFL-certified English teacher based in New York City, and gives you real, interesting content at the perfect level for intermediate learners (B1-B2).

Every episode is under 10 minutes with clear, natural English about topics that actually matter: culture, travel, daily life, and practical tips you can use right away. No textbook English. No slow, unnatural speech. Just real, natural English you can follow and understand.

Every episode is completely free and includes:

Clear intermediate-level English (B1-B2)
Free transcripts
Vocabulary support with every episode
Topics that keep you engaged while you learn

Ready to practice more actively? Try the English Listening Accelerator at comullen.com/listen. It's a complete workbook with 10 practical lessons, audio files, comprehension questions, vocabulary, repeat-after-me exercises, and a complete answer key. Download a free lesson to see if it's right for you!

I'm on YouTube! I share short, practical English lessons on my channel!

Join over 37,000 listeners across 76 countries! Questions or feedback? Contact me!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About English, please

Struggling to find intermediate English content that's actually interesting? English, please is hosted by Christopher, a TEFL-certified English teacher based in New York City, and gives you real, interesting content at the perfect level for intermediate learners (B1-B2).

Every episode is under 10 minutes with clear, natural English about topics that actually matter: culture, travel, daily life, and practical tips you can use right away. No textbook English. No slow, unnatural speech. Just real, natural English you can follow and understand.

Every episode is completely free and includes:

Clear intermediate-level English (B1-B2)
Free transcripts
Vocabulary support with every episode
Topics that keep you engaged while you learn

Ready to practice more actively? Try the English Listening Accelerator at comullen.com/listen. It's a complete workbook with 10 practical lessons, audio files, comprehension questions, vocabulary, repeat-after-me exercises, and a complete answer key. Download a free lesson to see if it's right for you!

I'm on YouTube! I share short, practical English lessons on my channel!

Join over 37,000 listeners across 76 countries! Questions or feedback? Contact me!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Description

English, please is a podcast designed to help improve your English by listening to clear, intermediate English about many different topics like history, culture, art, music, travel, and language.

Episode 63: Why Idioms in English Are So Hard to Understand
In this episode, I explain why idioms are one of the most frustrating parts of learning English. The words are familiar, but the meaning is something completely different. We'll look at five idioms that native speakers use every day and talk about exactly why they're so hard to understand the first time you hear them.

Want to keep practicing after you listen? Subscribe to the free English, please newsletter at comullen.com/newsletter. You'll get English practice tips and activities with every new episode, plus three FREE resources delivered straight to your inbox: a free sample lesson from the English Listening Accelerator, 60 Phrases Native English Speakers Use Every Day, and the new idioms guide, 25 Idioms Native English Speakers Use Every Day.

Want more structured practice? Try a free sample lesson from the English Listening Accelerator at comullen.com/listen.

I'm on YouTube! I share short, practical English content on my channel!

Episode transcript

Podcast website

Get the English Listening Accelerator!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About English, please

Struggling to find intermediate English content that's actually interesting? English, please is hosted by Christopher, a TEFL-certified English teacher based in New York City, and gives you real, interesting content at the perfect level for intermediate learners (B1-B2).

Every episode is under 10 minutes with clear, natural English about topics that actually matter: culture, travel, daily life, and practical tips you can use right away. No textbook English. No slow, unnatural speech. Just real, natural English you can follow and understand.

Every episode is completely free and includes:

Clear intermediate-level English (B1-B2)
Free transcripts
Vocabulary support with every episode
Topics that keep you engaged while you learn

Ready to practice more actively? Try the English Listening Accelerator at comullen.com/listen. It's a complete workbook with 10 practical lessons, audio files, comprehension questions, vocabulary, repeat-after-me exercises, and a complete answer key. Download a free lesson to see if it's right for you!

I'm on YouTube! I share short, practical English lessons on my channel!

Join over 37,000 listeners across 76 countries! Questions or feedback? Contact me!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About English, please

Struggling to find intermediate English content that's actually interesting? English, please is hosted by Christopher, a TEFL-certified English teacher based in New York City, and gives you real, interesting content at the perfect level for intermediate learners (B1-B2).

Every episode is under 10 minutes with clear, natural English about topics that actually matter: culture, travel, daily life, and practical tips you can use right away. No textbook English. No slow, unnatural speech. Just real, natural English you can follow and understand.

Every episode is completely free and includes:

Clear intermediate-level English (B1-B2)
Free transcripts
Vocabulary support with every episode
Topics that keep you engaged while you learn

Ready to practice more actively? Try the English Listening Accelerator at comullen.com/listen. It's a complete workbook with 10 practical lessons, audio files, comprehension questions, vocabulary, repeat-after-me exercises, and a complete answer key. Download a free lesson to see if it's right for you!

I'm on YouTube! I share short, practical English lessons on my channel!

Join over 37,000 listeners across 76 countries! Questions or feedback? Contact me!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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