logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2025
58s

English in a Minute: Phrases with 'ear'

BBC Radio
About this episode

If you 'play it by ear', you don't make a plan. Learn this phrase and more in this podcast.

TRANSCRIPT Find a free transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/s5english_in_a_minute

FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning Easy English

They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

Up next
Aug 3
Contractions
"I've run a marathon." Look at the shorter form 'I've'. Learn how to use contractions. Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslett ... Show More
6m 31s
Jul 27
Job suffixes
What's the connection between a teacher, a driver and a presenter? We explain.Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English. https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety ... Show More
6m 28s
Jul 20
Word stress
How to pronounce the words 'photographer' and 'photograph'? Learn about word stress.Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English. https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_a ... Show More
6m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2025
186 - Expression: To Play It By Ear
In today’s episode, you’ll learn the common English expression “to play it by ear,” which means to improvise or make decisions without having a fixed plan. We’ll look at where the expression comes from, how to use it naturally in conversation, and go over three everyday examples ... Show More
19 m
Aug 2024
The English We Speak: Off the cuff
An expression that means you say something without preparing first. Learn it here.[Image: Getty]For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comFind a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co ... Show More
3m 21s
Sep 2025
The English We Speak: Muddle along
An expression meaning you're managing OK even if you don't have a plan. Learn it here.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250901Subscribe to our newsletter ✔️ https://www.bbc.co. ... Show More
2m 29s
Jul 2024
The English We Speak: Second nature
Here's an expression that means you can do something without having to think about it, because it's so familiar to you. [Image: Getty] For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you ... Show More
3m 20s
Mar 2024
Walk someone through
TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240325FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningen ... Show More
2m 15s
Mar 2024
Brick by brick
TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240318.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learninge ... Show More
2m 24s
Mar 2024
Sewing to fight period poverty
TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2024/ep-240307FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglis ... Show More
6m 13s
Nov 2024
The English We Speak: On the fly
Should you cook on the fly, or follow a recipe? Learn a phrase to talk about improvising.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-24 ... Show More
2m 19s
Jul 2025
The English We Speak: Dabble in
Here's an expression that talks about doing something for fun. Learn how to use it here with Phil and Feifei.Have you tried our other podcasts? ✔️ Learning English for Work ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning Easy English ... Show More
2m 37s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami