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Learning English Conversations

The English We Speak: Throw ideas at the wall

09 Jun 2026

Transcription

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Chapter 1: What does 'throwing ideas at the wall' mean?

0.031 - 28.145 Unknown

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. Hotel Matsissa rakennat lomasi juuri sellaiseksi kuin haluat. Aamu meren rannalla, päivä kaupungin sykkeessä. Ostoksia tai ei suunnitelmia lainkaan. Hotel Mats Espoon Matinkylässä. Skandinaavista tyylikkyyttä, merenläheisyyttä ja pääkaupunki vain metromatkan päässä. Viivi pidempään, koe enemmän.

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28.165 - 41.971 Unknown

Katso majoitustarjoukset hotelmats.fi. I founded Ornot in 2013. I think the best thing about Shopify is that we can practice business without technical skills.

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Chapter 2: How can you apply the expression in everyday situations?

42.251 - 68.282 Unknown

We can manage the company's background and front-end and sell online. If Shopify was a bicycle equipment, it would be a bicycle itself. That way things are handled and our business is handled in Shopify. Start a free trial at shopify.com. Did you know we have new podcasts and videos to improve your English every weekday?

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68.322 - 81.81 Unknown

And we send a weekly email newsletter with tips and suggestions for what to do this week. Never miss an update from BBC Learning English.

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82.162 - 93.897 Feifei and Phil

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases and expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I'm Feifei. And I'm Phil.

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Chapter 3: What examples illustrate the use of this phrase?

94.258 - 100.926 Feifei and Phil

How are you doing, Feifei? I'm trying to think of a theme for my son's birthday party, but I'm not sure what he'd like.

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101.667 - 109.157 Unknown

How about dinosaurs or pirates or space or football or a superhero party?

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109.177 - 121.224 Feifei and Phil

Wait, wait, wait, Phil. Give me a minute. Phil, That's too many ideas. Sorry, I was just throwing ideas at the wall. Surely something must work. Maybe, but I need to slow down a bit.

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Chapter 4: What are the implications of making many suggestions?

122.026 - 128.723 Feifei and Phil

What we can do is learn that expression – throwing ideas at the wall. What do we mean by that?

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128.703 - 142.211 Unknown

OK, if someone throws ideas at the wall, it means they make lots of suggestions with the hope that one might be OK. It suggests that you haven't thought that much about the ideas you're saying.

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142.411 - 147.602 Feifei and Phil

Yes, it did sound like you were just saying the first things that came into your head.

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148.143 - 158.979 Unknown

And we also talk about throwing ideas at the wall until something sticks. And the idea is that if you make enough suggestions, then eventually you'll get one that's good.

159.54 - 163.206 Feifei and Phil

Let's hear some other people using throwing ideas at the wall.

167.552 - 168.894 Unknown

What kind of food should we eat?

Chapter 5: How does this expression relate to persistence in problem-solving?

169.495 - 192.642 Unknown

Indian? Chinese? Italian? Just throwing ideas at the wall. My parents are decorating their living room at the moment, but they're not sure which colour to paint the walls. They're talking about blues, greens, reds. They're just throwing ideas at the wall at this point. Listen guys, I know you didn't like my idea for the game show, but I'm just throwing ideas at the wall and seeing what sticks.

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192.662 - 195.227 Unknown

Sit down, I've got loads more. Loads of ideas.

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Chapter 6: What are the broader meanings behind the phrase?

195.447 - 196.088 Unknown

Listen.

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200.017 - 205.527 Feifei and Phil

We've been learning the expression throw ideas at the wall to mean make lots of suggestions.

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205.867 - 223.999 Unknown

Yes, it comes from the expression if you throw enough mud at the wall, then some of it will stick. And that can mean different things. It can talk about persisting until you succeed, but it can also mean that if you say enough bad things about someone, eventually people will start to believe them.

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224.03 - 230.259 Feifei and Phil

OK, that's it for this programme, but join us next time to learn more English phrases and expressions.

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230.819 - 244.198 Unknown

See you then. Bye.

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