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
Sep 21
Strong adjectives
Terrified', 'fantastic', 'amazing' - learn how to use strong adjectives.Find Learning English Grammar: ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-grammarFIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow ... Show More
6m 49s
Sep 14
Male and female job words
Policeman/policewoman, actor/actress - learn about job titles and gender.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusNEWSLETTER: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslette ... Show More
6m 46s
Sep 7
Weather words
The British love to talk about weather! Learn some useful vocabulary about it here.TRY THE LISTENING ROOM: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room (Hard: Upper intermediate level and above, B2 and above)Visit our website ✔️https://www.bbc.co.u ... Show More
6m 9s
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