This is an All-Ears English Podcast Episode 2251.
Tell you what. Listen today and learn to think on your feet.
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In life, there are many situations where we need to make deals, compromises, and think on our feet as conditions change.
Today, learn three super popular and natural ways to do it in English.
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Hello, Michelle. How are you doing today?
Hello. I'm good. I'm in a different location if you guys can tell.
If you're watching on YouTube, you can see.
I can see. Wow. Your life is just changing a lot this summer.
A big move. Lots of changes, Michelle.
So when it comes to all these changes, would you say that you are good at compromising on certain things that are related to maybe related to your summer and the changes?
Yes. So you have to be right.
I have to. It's interesting because right now I'm in more of an area where, well, I can walk to some places.
But for example, taking my daughter to camp, I have to drive, things like that.
So things are a little bit different.
And it's interesting because my kids are right now saying, oh, we want to walk.
We want to walk. And I said, well, it's like a two-hour walk.
Oh, my gosh. Oh, there is a city mentality.
I love it. Yeah. And it's taking me so sad.
I mean, we can still walk to things right now.
But it's just totally different.
And we're all feeling it, I think.
Oh, my gosh. I know. I love the walking environment of New York.
And it's hard to be out of that.
You do miss it, whether you're three years old or 53 years old.
Yeah. You miss it. It's true.
So we're getting into something today.
And what are we talking about on the podcast?
Something related to compromise.
Yes. Yes. We are going to talk about a very versatile expression that can be used for multiple things to make deals, to compromise, or even to just show that you're taking something into consideration.
Lindsay, what is it? All right.
Here's the phrase. Well, there are a lot of variations of this phrase.
I think we're going to go through it.
But the basic phrase, the full phrase, is, I'll tell you what.
I will tell you what. Right?
I'm excited for this one today, Michelle, because it is incredibly native and natural.
This is an element of just native speech.
And I can't wait to tell our listeners all about it.
Yeah. Yes. And this is inspired from my daily life, or sometimes I'll just say something, and I say, oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, we got to do this on the show.
So again, guys, this is all tell you what.
It's not, so it's I will tell you what.
But we don't really say, I will tell you what we say.
I'll tell you what. That's right.
That's right. So guys, before we get into it today, hit that follow button right now in your podcast player.
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So Michelle, what exactly does it mean?
First of all, I'll tell you what.
I'll tell you what. What does it mean?
Yeah, so this is, it's really a signal that you're about to introduce and an idea, a plan, a deal, a compromise.
So we're going to go through some examples, a lot of examples today.
So, but it is, it's an introduction expression.
Yes. It's signaling something.
So before we get into some examples, we want to remind you guys, episode 2241, just a couple of weeks back, we did was, you tell me snarky snapbacks in English, and that kind of reminds me, sometimes these little expressions can have so much meaning.
So much meaning. We want to show you guys always how to connect in English.
And these little things, they do it for you.
They help you to connect because they're so natural.
So let's go right into an example.
So our listeners can see it in action.
So here we go. Michelle, you want to read the example?
Okay, here we go. I'll tell you what, you can have the ice cream if you don't run away from me at the playground anymore.
You're making a deal. Making a deal.
Yes, yeah, making a deal, exactly.
So this is, it's a very good expression.
Probably when I did use this, it was probably with my kids making a deal.
Okay, you do this and you can have this.
That's a whole other conversation about kids and bribery and some people think it's okay and some people don't like it.
So, but not actual bribery.
Like bribery with candy and things like that.
That's actually, that's a good, maybe I'll do a good, but an Instagram post about that or a whole episode.
You never know, but yeah.
Here you're making a deal.
Lindsay, what's another example?
Here's an example. I'll tell you what, I'll work on the flyers if you print them on the day of the meeting.
So again, deal making, right?
Making a deal. I'll do this if you do that.
It's like, it's, and this is how, a lot of times this is how things work.
Someone does something and then the other person wants to reciprocate in some way.
This reminds me now of the expression, you scratch, what is it?
I'll scratch your back.
You scratch. Yes, right.
You scratch my back. I'll scratch yours.
Yes. Which is very funny sounding.
Yeah, it is weird. Yeah.
Okay, or here we go. I'll tell you what, I'll get the plates, but can you pick up the coffee?
Nice. So this could be, I mean, Michelle, the situations I could imagine here would be, maybe we're both volunteering for an organization on a Saturday and there are things we have to do before we arrive or maybe we're coworkers, or maybe we are family members preparing for a family barbecue.
A lot of scenarios, right?
Many, many, many scenarios, I think.
But, Lindsay, what about work?
Do you think this could be used at work or more out of work?
What do you think? You know, as we always say, and guys, if you're not subscribed to Business English, go over and check it out, but you bring your full self to work.
And we often find ourselves even in a business meeting where we are delegating responsibility, we might use this.
It just depends on who's around you, who's in the room, are you talking to with clients or around clients?
Michelle, what do you think?
Yeah, right, exactly. You have to think about who you're talking to, are you the person who's supposed to be making the deals?
Right. You know, you might not say this to your boss.
It really depends on the situation, I guess, but this is really about this deal making, or it sounds like when you use this, it sounds like you're taking charge.
You're making the decision almost.
Yeah, and I think we should take a second to just talk about the variations of this, the ways that people change this in natural speech, right?
Before we go into the role play in other ways to say it, there are other ways to say this exact phrase.
So for example, instead of saying, I'll tell you what, I tell you what, I tell you what, I hear that all the time.
It's just that we don't take the time to add the aisle, the will, okay?
Right, right, right, or just tell you what.
So yeah, exactly. And it's not tell you what, it's tell you what, tell you what.
Tell you what, okay, so that's actually what you guys are gonna hear, less than I'll tell you what, because we just don't have time to say that, okay.
Right, right, right. Yeah, it really depends, but it's good to know these variations for sure.
So let's do a little role play to show how this would work.
Yes. We have a lot of role plays for today.
So I know you guys love those role plays.
So here we go. So Lindsay, you are the waiter and I am the customer.
Okay, here we go. Ready?
Okay. You're first. No, you're first.
Sorry, it says waiter. Oh, I see.
Sorry, I know. Okay, what can I get you?
I'll have the salad with the dressing on the side.
Oh, you know what, the dressing is really good.
It's better mixed in a little.
But I don't like it too much.
I'll tell you what, I'll put light dressing, but mixed in.
That would be good. Okay, sounds good, thanks.
Nice, nice. And yeah, so I could see this as a scenario where this would come out and she's kind of making a deal, making a compromise, but she wants you to try the dressing.
Right? Yes. Do you usually get your dressing on the side?
Do you get mixed in? What do you do?
I usually just go for it.
I mix it in. Have them mix it in.
I'm not afraid. You're not afraid.
Not afraid. Not afraid.
Just put it in there. Yeah, I like dressing.
I don't like dry salad. So yeah.
I try not to. Sometimes it's too much for me though.
So I usually do add it to the side and put it in.
But yeah, sometimes Dan will say, no, no, no, just have some for light and then have them mixed in.
It's so much better that way.
So. Exactly. All right.
So here we are friends. Okay.
Yes. I don't think we can make it on time.
Oh, I'll tell you what. I can leave 20 minutes early if we don't grab a drink after.
Okay. So again, making a plan, figuring out how to make it work.
Right? Exactly. I also could see this.
I mean, you have kids and you probably take them out to eat combining the situation of a waiter, a waiter, speaking to a kid and say, making some kind of deal, like, let's say the kid says, no, I don't want broccoli.
I don't like broccoli and the waiter says, I'll tell you what, I'll bring you a little broccoli on the side and we'll put some salt on it or something, making a deal, trying to get the kid to eat the broccoli that the parents want.
Something like that, right?
Right. Right. Yes. Definitely.
That could happen. Yes.
Okay. Now, all right. We're going to take a quick break and then we're going to talk about other ways that native speakers say this, right Michelle?
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Okay Michelle, what are some other ways we might say this?
What would you say? Okay.
So you could say here's the deal.
This one sounds a little bit more direct to me.
Yeah. More so than the other ones.
Yeah, you think so, but you could use it.
You could say something like here's the deal.
I can make the cake if you help me with the setup.
Yeah, it's kind of really saying look, I'm going to arrange this.
I made it up. It kind of quid pro quo type thing.
And this is what we're going to do.
It's much more more direct you're right.
I would say yes. Yeah. And what's another way or let's do this.
And this one doesn't feel quite as direct, but it is actually direct, right?
Let's do this. You order the printer paper and I'll make the calls.
I like that one too actually.
I tend to use that more. I think do this.
Let's do this. I think so too.
Yeah, it is funny what you said.
It doesn't seem as direct, but it is definitely.
It just sounds a little less direct.
I'm not sure why. Maybe because of the lets.
Let's do this. Yeah, it kind of signifies a group action, right?
Yeah. Yeah, yeah. All of these are just saying I'm going to take, I'm going to drive a solution here, right?
Yes. Definitely. Lindsay, why do you think this compromising or coming up with solutions is important?
I mean, it's just so, so much deal.
Like there's so much connection involved in this scale.
Yeah. It's incredible.
Yes. Connection. It's all about connection here at all.
English. So this is a huge, you know, compromise is connection.
Compromise creates connection.
You need some level of connection to actually enter into a compromise.
And so it's really, it's huge.
If people don't think you're willing to compromise, they're not going to want to work with you or talk with you, but it work.
It needs to be directed to the right person, right?
Michelle, so would you say this to a boss?
Like, are you making a deal with the boss?
You do this. I'll do that.
The only time I think it could work is maybe your boss is a little unsure of something.
Maybe they're, maybe they weren't as involved in the project and they're just kind of checking on everything.
And maybe they get a little unclear about what's going on and they need, they need you to kind of take charge in that moment.
Sure. You know, that makes sense.
Yeah. I think a lot of companies want people to own projects 100%.
Right. Right. So, so there may be a scenario.
Just know your manager know what they expect in their communication style and kind of just monitor that tone a little bit, depending on who you're around, I would say for sure.
For sure. Yeah. So, starting to kind of delegate and order people around not a good thing.
Right. Exactly. Right.
Exactly right. So, shall we put them all together?
All right. One more role play.
Let's do it, Michelle. We, so here, I'm getting married and you are my maid of honor.
Oh, that's so nice. Yes.
Yes, exactly. I had fun writing this one.
Okay. Here we go. It's wedding season.
I mean, it's wedding season.
That's true. That's true.
Okay. Here we go. Oh, you look amazing.
Your style is already falling out.
Oh, no. You're right. Oh, geez.
Okay. Ah. It's okay. It's okay.
It's okay. I'll tell you what.
You just relax and I'll go call the stylist and tell her to come back.
Okay. Okay. This isn't going well.
It's fine. I can take care of it.
Here's the deal. I need to be ready for pictures in 20 minutes.
You have to do my hair. No, no, no, no, no.
I'm not good at hair. Just try.
Okay. Let's do this. You hold this piece and I'll get a clip.
Okay. Oh, we have a little bride, Zilla action going on.
Maybe not really, but just sort of a typical wedding day panic.
Panic. And the hair always comes out.
Doesn't it, Michelle? It always comes out.
Oh, doesn't ever. That was like for me.
Anyway, I don't even want to talk about your hair.
Oh, no. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
Mine did too a little bit.
Yeah. At the end of the night, it was all sweaty and gross.
Well, like by the end of the night, it's probably okay.
But as long as for the ceremony, I mean, you know, you're getting up.
Early. I remember I think I got I had my hair done at like 7 a.m.
And the ceremony was at 4 p.m.
I mean, it's just like, how do you expect your hair to stay together in the summer?
Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. Well, right.
Because I got married and also in warm weather and September and you got married in in July.
Yeah. Right. Yeah. Very hot.
So anyways, complications of being a bride.
Oh, that's all right. Michelle, let's go through our role play.
So you said, so I'm having a problem with my hair and you're going to make a deal with me now.
So you're going to say, okay, okay, I'll tell you what.
This relax and all go call.
You're being a very good made of honor.
Right. I'm kind of because you're starting a panic.
So I'm trying to just take as much pressure off of you as possible.
Yeah. Yeah. That's the job.
That's the job of the made of honor, right?
That's a good made of honor.
They're supposed to really be there for the bride and take care of everything that arises.
You're going to be right by their side.
Yeah. Exactly. It's in traditional American wedding.
Okay. Next one, what did you say?
What did I say? You said, here's the deal.
So I'm presenting the plan and you said, here's the deal.
I need to be ready for pictures in 20 minutes.
You have to do my hair. So I'm saying, I need to be ready.
So we don't have time. You're saying you need to be ready.
So you don't have time for calling the stylist and getting her back.
So you're saying you're proposing that I do your hair.
Yes, exactly. And then you're saying, okay, let's do this.
So you're actually conceding.
You're saying, okay, I will do the hair.
I don't want to, but I'll do it.
You hold this piece and I'll get a clip.
This really shows I like these because compromise.
Yes, but also pivoting, frequent pivoting.
You know, when scenario, like a wedding day is a perfect example.
Things are constantly changing.
You know, I know we had lots of mishaps.
Like some people started walking too early and then we couldn't find my dog and all these different things.
Not like he was just going crazy outside and like things.
There's something always goes wrong in this kind of scenario.
Yeah, yeah. So pivoting.
Okay, here's what we're going to do.
All right. Right. Let's do this.
We're always reworking the plan.
Yeah. Right. And we have to have that flexibility.
So these expressions also help you with that as well.
Just okay, we're going to do this.
Okay. It's, you know what it is?
It's the expression is thinking on your feet.
Love that. Yes, that's it.
I mean, so that's the takeaway for today.
You know, a big piece of being fluent in English and being connected when you speak is being able to think on your feet.
And now guys, you have the words to do it.
I love it. Yeah. Oh my gosh.
Well, this was a fun one.
And fun talking about our weddings and just fun talking about it in general.
So thanks guys for listening.
And yeah, good luck using these.
All right. Take care Michelle.
Talk to you very soon. Bye.
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