Épisodes

  • Expression: Come to grips
    Mar 12 2026

    Learn how to use the English expression, "come to grips"

    Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/come-to-grips

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    Mentioned in this episode:

    Hard words? No problem

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    8 min
  • Expression: Turn the tables
    Mar 5 2026

    Learn the expert-level English expression "turn the tables"

    Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/turn-the-tables

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    Plain English helps you improve your English:

    • Learn about the world and improve your English
    • Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
    • New stories every week
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    Mentioned in this episode:

    Hard words? No problem

    Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

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    12 min
  • ‘Heated Rivalry’ is a steamy export from a frigid place
    Mar 2 2026

    Today's story: When a Canadian producer pitched a TV adaptation of a gay hockey romance novel, major U.S. streamers hesitated. It was about a niche sport, featured explicit same-sex scenes, and was based on a romance novel. But a smaller Canadian platform took a chance on the story, and the series became a massive hit in Canada and around the world. Its success surprised everyone. But the clues to its success were there all along. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/843

    Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/843

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    Plain English helps you improve your English:

    • Learn about the world and improve your English
    • Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
    • New stories every week
    • Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Hard words? No problem

    Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

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    16 min
  • Expression: Run out
    Feb 26 2026

    Learn the English expression "run out" (and listen until the end to hear what Jeff's first boss said he can *never* run out of...)

    Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/run-out

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    Plain English helps you improve your English:

    • Learn about the world and improve your English
    • Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
    • New stories every week
    • Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Hard words? No problem

    Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

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    13 min
  • How coffee is prepared around the world
    Feb 23 2026

    Today's story: Coffee is one of the world’s most popular drinks, but not everyone drinks it the same way. The two most popular styles, espresso and filter coffee, were invented in Europe. Turkish coffee is most similar to how people drank coffee centuries ago. And Cuba and Vietnam have their own unique styles. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/841

    Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/841

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    Plain English helps you improve your English:

    • Learn about the world and improve your English
    • Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
    • New stories every week
    • Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Hard words? No problem

    Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

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    14 min
  • Expression: Get around
    Feb 19 2026

    There's no getting around it: you need to learn the English expression "get around"

    Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/get-around

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    Plain English helps you improve your English:

    • Learn about the world and improve your English
    • Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
    • New stories every week
    • Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Hard words? No problem

    Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

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    13 min
  • What does it mean to be a ‘millionaire’?
    Feb 16 2026

    Today's story: A “millionaire” is someone with a net worth of one million dollars. But the reality of a million dollars today is very different from when the word entered English in the late 1700s. Today’s millionaires are more likely to drive ordinary cars, live in the suburbs, and manage their own daily chores than live the lavish lifestyles we often associate with the word “millionaire.”

    Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/839

    Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/839

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    Plain English helps you improve your English:

    • Learn about the world and improve your English
    • Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
    • New stories every week
    • Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Hard words? No problem

    Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

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    17 min