All Ears English Podcast AEE 2575: 5 English Idioms That Hit Hard
92 snips
Mar 3, 2026 They introduce five vivid idioms for describing strong negative effects. Examples cover physical and emotional harm, from hair and batteries to stress and panic. Conversations show how to use the phrases naturally, including role-play about fatigue. Practical tips follow on talking about tiredness and choosing what to share in casual conversation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Use Do A Number On For Strong Negative Impact
- Use do a number on to describe a strong negative impact instead of plain affect.
- Examples: the late nights really did a number on my focus; the cold winter did a number on my car battery.
Five Natural Alternatives To Effect
- Native English has many vivid alternatives to the word effect for negative impacts.
- Lindsay and Aubrey present five specific phrases (do a number on, take a toll on, hit hard, mess with, wear down) as practical replacements.
Say Take A Toll On For Gradual Harm
- Say take a toll on to indicate a gradual harmful effect on health or performance.
- Example: constant stress took a toll on her health; years of night shifts took a toll on his sleep patterns.