These 5 Idioms Are Blue Sky Thinking - IELTS Energy Podcast

Summary

In this episode, hosts Aubrey and Lindsay explore various business English idioms, discussing their meanings and appropriateness in different contexts. They delve into phrases like 'Blue Sky Thinking' for creative brainstorming, 'boiling the ocean' for tackling impossible tasks, and 'herding cats' to describe uncontrollable situations. The hosts also caution against using uncommon idioms in professional settings, like during IELTS exams, to avoid confusion. The episode offers insights into idiomatic expressions and their practical applications, with a focus on effective communication in a business environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Blue Sky Thinking is a positive and creative approach to brainstorming, often used in business but applicable to various areas of life.
• 🌐 The term 'Blue Sky Thinking' has become a trendy business phrase and is used to encourage out-of-the-box ideas.
• 🤔 'Boiling the ocean' is an uncommon idiom that means undertaking an impossible task or making a task unnecessarily difficult.
• 🐱 'Hering cats' is a humorous idiom used to describe a situation that is difficult to control or organize, like trying to control cats.
• 🎤 'Singing from the same hym sheet' means that a group of people all have the same aims or express the same opinion on a subject.
• 🚫 Some idioms may not be familiar to everyone, so it's important to be cautious when using them, especially in a professional setting.
• 🤝 The idiom 'on the same page' is similar to 'singing from the same hym sheet' but focuses more on having the same goal rather than the same opinion.
• 📝 It's beneficial to paraphrase idioms in your mind to practice fluency and ensure you can express ideas in various ways.
• 📚 Learning the appropriate context for using idioms is crucial, as some may not be suitable for professional or formal settings.
• 🔍 Researching the origin and commonality of an idiom before using it can help avoid confusion or miscommunication.
• 📈 The podcast 'Business English from All Ears English' provides valuable insights into business idioms and their appropriate usage.

Q & A

What does the term 'Blue Sky Thinking' refer to in the context of the script?

In the script, 'Blue Sky Thinking' is used to describe a mindset of being very positive, creative, and thinking outside of the box, especially in a work environment or when brainstorming innovative ideas.

Is 'Blue Sky Thinking' a term only used in business?

According to the script, 'Blue Sky Thinking' is not limited to business; it has also bled into other areas of life where creative and out-of-the-box thinking is applied.

What is the meaning of the idiom 'boiling the ocean' as mentioned in the script?

The idiom 'boiling the ocean' signifies undertaking an impossible task or making a task unnecessarily difficult, indicating an overly complex approach to a problem.

What did the hosts discuss regarding the idiom 'a quick flag'?

The hosts were unable to find the meaning of 'a quick flag' in their research and suggested that it might be a misheard idiom or specific to a certain region, advising against its use without further clarity.

How is the idiom 'herding cats' used in the script?

In the script, 'herding cats' is used to describe a situation that is difficult to control or organize due to the inherent uncontrollability of the individuals involved.

What is the meaning of 'singing from the same hym sheet' in the context of the script?

The phrase 'singing from the same hym sheet' means that a group of people all have the same aims or express the same opinion on a particular subject, indicating agreement or unity.

What advice do the hosts give about using uncommon idioms in English, especially for non-native speakers?

The hosts advise that learners should be cautious with uncommon idioms, as they might not be understood by everyone, especially in an exam setting like IELTS. They suggest using idioms that the examiner will be familiar with.

What is the hosts' suggestion for practicing English fluency and paraphrasing skills?

The hosts suggest playing a mental game where, after hearing or using an expression, one should think of how to say it in a different way or with a different idiom, helping to improve paraphrasing skills and confidence in English communication.

What is the significance of the role-play scenario discussed by the hosts?

The role-play scenario is used to demonstrate the practical application of the discussed idioms in a real-life situation, such as running a conference, and to highlight the importance of context and appropriateness when using certain expressions.

Why did the hosts decide to explore idioms that are not commonly used in American English?

The hosts explored these idioms to provide a broader understanding of English expressions from different English-speaking countries and to help listeners learn how to adapt their language use based on context and audience.

What is the hosts' final takeaway message for listeners regarding the use of idioms in English learning?

The hosts' final takeaway is the importance of knowing not only what to say but also what not to say. They emphasize the need to understand the context and cultural familiarity of idioms to effectively communicate in English.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Blue Sky Thinking and Business English Idioms

The first paragraph introduces the concept of 'Blue Sky Thinking' as a business English phrase that signifies positive and creative thinking outside the box. It is often used in business contexts to encourage innovative ideas. The discussion also touches on the use of idioms in the IELTS exam and the importance of understanding their meanings and appropriateness. The podcast 'Business English from All Ears English' is promoted as a resource for learning more about business English idioms. The conversational tone is friendly and informative, with a focus on the practical application of language in professional settings.

05:02

🤔 Exploring Uncommon Business English Idioms

In the second paragraph, the discussion continues with an exploration of less common business English idioms such as 'boiling the ocean,' which means undertaking an impossible task or making a task unnecessarily difficult. The hosts share their unfamiliarity with some of these idioms and compare them to more familiar American English expressions. They also caution against using idioms that may not be widely understood, such as 'a quick flag,' which they could not find any reference to. The conversation emphasizes the importance of knowing one's audience and the cultural context when using idioms in business communication.

10:04

🐱 The Challenge of Controlling 'Hurting Cats'

The third paragraph delves into the idiom 'herding cats,' which describes a situation that is difficult to control or organize due to the inherent uncontrollability of the subjects involved. The hosts use humor to illustrate the point, comparing the obedience of dogs to the independence of cats. They advise caution when using this idiom in a work setting, as it may not be respectful when referring to colleagues. The paragraph also touches on the importance of being aware of cultural and community differences in language use, with a specific mention of the potential for misunderstanding in a church-going community with the idiom 'singing from the same hym sheet.'

15:05

📚 Role Play and Learning Idioms for Business English

The final paragraph presents a role play scenario where the hosts are running a conference, using the idioms discussed in the previous paragraphs to navigate the challenges of organizing and managing the event. They highlight the importance of understanding the context and appropriateness of language use, especially when speaking metaphorically about groups of people. The role play serves as a practical example of how to apply the idioms in a business setting while being mindful of the audience. The paragraph concludes with a learning tip for listeners to practice paraphrasing and thinking of alternative expressions, which can enhance communication skills and confidence in English.

Keywords

💡Blue Sky Thinking

Blue Sky Thinking refers to the practice of imagining or creating something new without being constrained by current methods or thinking. It is associated with positivity and creativity. In the video, it is mentioned as a business phrase that has bled into other areas of life and is used to describe innovative and out-of-the-box thinking. For example, Aubrey mentions that she initially did not consider herself a creative thinker, but now, Blue Sky Thinking is her favorite part of her job.

💡Boiling the Ocean

The phrase 'boiling the ocean' is used to describe an impossible task or making a task unnecessarily difficult. It is not commonly used in American English, but it might be understood in other English-speaking countries. In the script, Lindsay and Aubrey discuss the idiom, noting that it is not one they are familiar with and suggesting that it might be more common elsewhere.

💡Idiom

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be deduced from the individual meanings of its words. Idioms are often cultural and may vary between English-speaking countries. The video's theme revolves around understanding and using idioms in business English, with several examples provided to illustrate their meanings and appropriate contexts.

💡IELTS

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System, which is a standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. In the script, it is mentioned that discussing one's job on IELTS could involve using idioms like 'Blue Sky Thinking,' which can showcase a candidate's language skills and creativity.

💡Business English

Business English refers to the English language used in business contexts, often including specific vocabulary, idioms, and expressions. The video discusses various idioms within the context of Business English, highlighting their meanings and usage in professional settings.

💡Hering Cats

The idiom 'herding cats' is used to describe a situation that is difficult to control or organize, often due to the inherent unpredictability or independent nature of the individuals involved. In the script, it is humorously applied to the challenge of managing children, illustrating the idiom's use in a non-business context.

💡Singing from the Same Hymn Sheet

This idiom means that a group of people all have the same aims or express the same opinion on a particular subject. It may be less common in American English but is discussed in the video as an equivalent to other expressions like 'on the same page' or 'all in the same boat.'

💡Uphill Battle

An 'uphill battle' is a struggle or challenge that requires significant effort to overcome. It is used in the script to describe the difficulty of organizing a book signing at a conference, drawing a parallel to the idiom 'boiling the ocean' for describing a difficult task.

💡Mind Map

A mind map is a visual tool used to organize information or ideas, often used in brainstorming sessions or for note-taking. Aubrey mentions using mind maps as a way to help her think outside the box and expand her ideas, illustrating the concept's relevance to creative thinking.

💡Doodles

Doodling refers to making simple drawings while someone's attention is otherwise occupied, often during a conversation or while listening. In the script, Aubrey mentions doodling as a way to help reset her brain and potentially stimulate creative thinking.

💡Fluency Party

A fluency party is a concept mentioned in the script as a potential activity where learners can practice their language skills in a social setting. It suggests a fun and interactive way to improve language fluency, including playing games that involve paraphrasing and using idioms.

Highlights

Blue Sky Thinking is a positive and creative approach to brainstorming without focusing on practicality.

The term Blue Sky Thinking is not only used in business but has also become a trendy phrase in other areas of life.

At work, Blue Sky Thinking can be encouraged by saying 'we need some Blue Sky Thinking here' to promote out-of-the-box ideas.

The phrase 'boiling the ocean' signifies undertaking an impossible task or making a task unnecessarily difficult.

American English equivalents for 'boiling the ocean' include 'don't make this harder than it has to be' or 'don't reinvent the wheel'.

The idiom 'a quick flag' is not commonly recognized and is not recommended for use without further context.

Herd cats is an idiom used to describe a situation that is difficult to control or organize due to the inherent uncontrollability of the subjects involved.

The idiom 'herding cats' is commonly used in American English and can be applied to various situations involving uncooperative groups.

Singing from the same hym sheet means that a group of people all have the same aims or express the same opinion on a subject.

The phrase 'singing from the same hym sheet' may be less familiar in American English and could be replaced with 'we're all on the same page'.

Role-playing scenarios can help understand the context and appropriateness of using certain idioms in business English.

It's important to be cautious with idioms that compare people to animals, as they can be offensive or disrespectful in a work setting.

Some idioms may be too uncommon or unfamiliar to use in English depending on the region or community.

Learning to paraphrase and find alternative expressions for idioms can improve communication and understanding.

Idioms should be used in a way that the listener or examiner will understand to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.

The podcast episode provides insights into both what to say and what not to say in business English, emphasizing the importance of context.

Engaging in mental exercises such as paraphrasing can help develop the skill of quickly adapting language to different situations.

The episode encourages listeners to explore idioms from different English-speaking countries to broaden their understanding and usage.

Transcripts

hey Aubrey um do you know what Blue Sky

Thinking

means yes I feel like I'm a blue sky

thinker right being very positive I do

hear this a lot when you know at work

but do you think it's only used in

business I don't think so I think it is

a trendy business phrase already um and

I think it has sort of bled into other

areas of life guys anytime we are like

creatively thinking out of the box like

coming up with innovative ways to do

things um that's not just at work right

yes and we also have to talk about our

jobs a lot on ielt so for example you

might be asked about your job and you

could say I get to do some Blue Sky

Thinking at my job which was actually

super hard at first because I didn't

consider myself a creative thinker but

now it's my favorite part nice that

would be a great 's answer guys we are

bringing you a special episode of one of

our sister podcasts business English

from all ears English guys search for

business English now and look for the

yellow that bright allers English yellow

and hit follow you are going to hear an

amazing business English episode today

and stay tuned until the end of today's

show because we are going to tell you

the best idiom from today that you

should learn that you should use on is

yes and you're going to hear a few that

you should not use on is so we're

excited for for you to get this info

this was a really fun episode that

Lindsay and I recorded so let's hear the

episode hi Lindsay how's it going hey

Aubrey it is fantastic how's everything

with you today I'm great I have a

question are you boiling the ocean oh my

gosh I don't even know how to answer

that to be does that mean am I upset

like is my blood boiling is that what

you're asking me

seems like maybe what yeah we don't use

this in the US at all I'm excited we got

a really good question about some idioms

student asking about using them in

business English and this is one of them

that I had not heard of before but it

might be common in England or New

Zealand right in other English speaking

countries we're going to share all of

these idioms what they mean and whether

you can use them at work or not for sure

and if you love hearing other voices

from other countries english- speaking

countries go over to our website guys

and type in know British or Australian

we've done tons of interviews with

different people from these places guys

so we do try to bring those voices onto

the show as much as we can but for today

we're gonna get after these words

ourselves right auy yes yes so I'll read

the question it's from Caro on Spotify

who said I would love to hear about the

meaning of some of the following

business English phrases Blue Sky

Thinking boiling the ocean a quick flag

ducks in a row hering cats and singing

from the same hym sheet so this is

interesting some of these I've heard

before and some of them I have not yes

yeah definitely hurting cats I've heard

yes um the other ones are going to be

sort of new for mear so we have

researched them normally we just kind of

stick with the American English but you

know hey let's Venture into something

new and see what we can tie links to

maybe equivalent expressions we know in

American English we could do that

something like that absolutely we'll see

what we can do here yes and be sure to

check out Lindsay and Michelle recently

recorded an episode do you have your

ducks in a row vocabulary for getting

organized where they shared several

idioms that you can use at work that are

very interesting like having your ducks

in a row nice love it all right guys and

don't forget to hit uh the follow button

right there on business English to not

miss the next episode so first one

Aubrey was Blue Sky Thinking okay I

think just by looking at this I think I

know what it means I can kind of guess

yes right and I don't know that I'm

super familiar but if you said this I

would know what you meant right this is

clearly not going to be something

negative cuz blue skies are always

associated with positivity and this is a

little different than I expected I

thought this would just be posit you

know being positive but it actually

means more like thinking outside of the

box or like brainstorming in a way that

isn't as practical being super

creative I guess something somewhat

equivalent could be this guy's the limit

you could say something like that or

there's a book book I know uh called

Blue Ocean strategy it's a it's just a

business book which talks about red

oceans and blue oceans it's markets in

the business World Industries okay and

how to find a blue ocean and go into it

that someone hasn't tapped this

particular market yet right gotcha

interesting yeah I think go ahead I was

gonna say so with Blue Sky Thinking it

looks like you know if you're wanting

your team to brainstorm and you don't

want to think about what's real

realistic we want to come up with any

idea anyone could think of we could say

this we need some Blue Sky Thinking here

and what the way I'm used to hearing

this in you know business English in the

US is to think outside of the box yeah I

mean I do think that the term the word

blue like the color blue and the word ha

has kind of a sense of openness I mean

the sky right is blue and the ocean and

it's just this idea of uh I don't know

openness blue openness yeah that's a

good way to Cate to remember this right

so you might say all right let's start

the meeting we need some Blue Sky

Thinking today and you're meaning like

let's think outside of the box yeah I

mean is there anything that you any

rituals or habits you have when you want

to get yourself to think outside of the

box anything you do like go for a jog or

I don't know like to reset your brain

because I find that sometimes I'm in

Pathways in my mind and it's hard I do

like to Doodle like if I take notes or

do like a mind map something because I

think I'm just a very visual learner as

far as wanting to write something down

and see it written then I do feel like

that kind of helps me expand my ideas

and think about something that I

wouldn't have before yeah it's true it's

true wow okay that's a good ritual to be

able it like a just a to know yourself

on how you get yourself outside of the

box in terms of the way you think good

for business too right which is what

we're looking at today boiling the ocean

Aubrey what is that so seems like it

would be hard to do that it does that's

a lot of water and that's exactly right

right this is very uncommon I had not

heard it before I'm curious where it's

popular it could be somewh you know but

it means to undertake an impossible task

or to make a task unnecessarily

difficult right so if someone says like

all right well we don't need to boil the

ocean means like you are over

complicating the task you have yeah I

the equivalent in American English we

might say don't make this harder than it

is or than it has to be right don't make

this harder than it has to be yes or

wheel we'll say that too right if it's

like don't reinvent the wheel reinvent

the wheel it's like there's a simple

somebody has already done the groundw

that we can build upon so like let's do

this the easy way don't reinvent the

wheel don't overthink it there are a lot

of So today we're kind of adding on to

our our plan for this episode ways we

say the same things in without these

idioms that are not necessarily common

in American English right um Aubrey is

there a next one is there uh number

three yes number three is a quick flag

and I googled I looked in you know on

Reddit in forums I couldn't find this

one anywhere so it's possible that our

listener had misheard a different idiom

I'm not sure what so we do not recommend

using a quick flag couldn't find it

anywhere we have nothing for you guys it

could be like slaying in another country

that I just couldn't find online so

leave us a comment on YouTube guys if

you have heard this and know what it

means please share in the comments I'd

love to know yes teach us what you know

we love that we want to learn from our

community Absol well the next one Aubrey

we both know and it's a funny expression

right and this one is used in American

English right and it's hurting cats so

this is a situation that's difficult to

control or organize because those

involved are inherently uncontrollable I

use this the most about my kids I'm

trying to get them to leave to go

somewhere I'm like it's like hurting

cats that's hilarious no one's listening

to me yeah know it's so funny when you

think about even just with cats the

difference between dogs and cats and how

much you know when you come home and

your dog will come up and be all excited

and listen to you and sit and the cat's

like oh just look at you care yeah yeah

just like they couldn't be more

different animals you know it's so true

we have a bunch of cats here cuz I we're

on a 5 Acre Farm here and so there are a

bunch of outdoor cats that we call

mousers cuz they're here to like keep

the mouse population down but they're

feral you cannot approach them they

would just like hiss at you and Claw So

It's Tricky if you tell the kids like

don't try to pet these cats they're not

the house cats you're used

to so it's just the it's the concept of

yeah something is not not controllable

and you're try trying to control it

which is futile of course we know that

in life and we do want to be careful

with this at work it can be offensive

like it imagine you're saying you're at

work and say I'm trying to get everyone

to the meeting but it's like hurting

cats this is really not something you

would say about adults even if they're

not listening to you you're you're

frustrated you can't control them this

is still not a kind and respectful thing

to say about co-workers yeah I think

anytime that you are sort of drawing a

comparison between your colleagues and

animals probably be careful danger zone

very good point right it's just not very

kind or respectful stay away or at least

be careful make sure there probably are

some idioms that are that are okay but

generally Wade what is it uh weigh

carefully in that area tread carefully

yes carefully absolutely number five

Aubrey what is it what is it so this was

singing from the same hym sheet this is

also uncommon I hadn't heard it before

but it might be common in other um

countries had were you familiar with

this one Lindsay no no it also might be

common certain communities that attend

church more often right that's true yeah

that's possible it means a group of

people who all have the same aims or all

express the same opinion on a particular

subject yeah and what would be I mean

we're all in the same boat sort of not

exactly the same thing or we're all on

the same page maybe on the same page

yeah it's a little tricky because on the

same page or aligned means more like we

have the same goal and this sort of

means we all have the same opinion so

that's different do we have another

idiom for that well you could say we see

eye to eye with two people but not

multiple people see I think in the same

boat is more similar than on the same

page right if like we all have the same

opinion I could see saying okay we're

all in the same boat yeah we're all in

the same boat so we'll come back and

circle back and teach these another day

for sure but it's good to just kind of

draw the connections kind of fun

exercise here yeah so you could say at

work right glad to see we're all singing

from the same hym sheet but keep in mind

that at least in the US people would

might be like what does that mean they

likely won't be familiar with this

phrase unless you're living with a

community that goes to church a lot and

may definitely you might hear it all the

time so hands are so specific to people

and you know what they think about

fascinating yeah all right let's do a

role play here you and I are running a

conference in this role play want to

start us out that is a big Endeavor oh

my gosh imag geez just attending a

conference is enough of a challenge

imagine running one woo thank thank

all right so here we go I loved that

last speaker her message about Blue Sky

Thinking was fantastic I agree much

easier to be creative when we're not

focused on what's realistic well we need

to get everything organized for the book

signing I think it's going to be an

uphill battle for sure moving everyone

between sessions at this conference has

been like hurting

cats funny and this maybe I would use it

this way with like a colleague and we're

sort of speaking metaphorically

generally about a group of people right

all of them were my colleagues I don't

know that I would say that right right

the difference is it's just you and me

and we're in the corner we're having a

conversation we've been going through

this challenge together that's

acceptable to use I certainly wouldn't

say this publicly in front of all of

them

like cat getting you to go where we want

no no no no you would not say that right

so it's very subtle choosing who's going

to overhear it and who you're actually

talking to and what the levels are there

so in this case you know I said I love

that speaker her message about Blue Sky

Thinking was fantastic so maybe a

keynote speaker gave a motivational talk

yeah about thinking outside of the box

being creative love that and then you

said and this is one I was thinking was

sort of a parallel for one of them you

said I think it's going to be an uphill

battle and this was when I was thinking

about recommending instead of boiling

the ocean just like you know an

impossible task or something that's

extremely difficult we would often say

an uphill battle that's a good one I

like that and that is very common for

sure American English and then the last

one we already talked about this at this

conference it's been like hurting cats

to get people to move between sessions

yes very fun but just be careful who

you're saying it to or about could be

offensive 100% any takeway for our

listeners today we've had an interesting

episode because we've shown you some

idioms that we're not necessarily super

familiar with but then we've drawn

connections to the same way to say that

in American English exactly so thank you

to Caro for sending in this amazing

question a good takeaway is just that

some idioms are too uncommon or too un

unfamiliar to use in English depending

on where you live the community some of

these I wouldn't use in the US because

people might not understand what you

mean they might be unfamiliar with them

I also would say as a learning tip for a

listeners today see if you can play a

little game in your head of based on

what we just did today when you're

speaking so this whole game of say it

another way right how can you if you're

having a conversation you say something

you say some expression you then you

think to yourself just in your head how

could I have said that in a different

way a different IDI such a good activity

to help you learn to paraphrase because

then if you can't think of how to say

something a specific way you will have

that skill of being able to quickly say

it a different way instead of pausing

and thinking that is going to give us

the confidence space to really then be

be free and clear for connection right

our minds will be clear to actually

connect but I think this is what a lot

of our listeners auy really want is that

flexibility and it's not going to come

to us just by listening it's actually

going to we need to take that extra step

and play a little game in our minds

exactly right in your mind like you said

or speaking out loud or with a

conversation partner such a great

activity I love that idea yeah maybe

we'll add that in as a game for a

fluency party or something one one of

these months here absolutely yes all

right good stuff all right Aubrey talk

to you soon have a good day awesome

thanks Lindsay see you next time bye

bye Aubrey great job on that episode um

what idiom from that what idiom that you

guys taught do you think is the most fun

for I definitely hurting cats we sort of

shared how this isn't always appropriate

at work but it's perfect for a anytime

it was difficult to organize a group

whether it's a crowd of people children

teens family you're talking about your

school days this is going to be perfect

to say something was difficult to say it

was like hurting cats yeah anytime guys

you are describing a place an event in

which a crowd of people is difficult to

control right someone's trying to uh

control the people in some way and it's

not going well you can be like it was

like hurting cats so I think this is the

most useful for I because it's the most

flexible right um if you're talking

about going to family reunions right um

I could say like anytime I go to family

reunion and there's more than five of us

it's like hurting cats it is impossible

to get the whole group to do anything

yes and I think it's so useful to know

some of these idioms that either are

super uncommon or old enough that the

examiner might not be familiar with them

they might just think you're making a

mistake so a few of these like a quick

flag that we're not familiar with you

should avoid using these on I a lot of

the idioms that you see online you can't

just be like oh perfect yep I'll use

that on IELTS so really good to keep in

mind that you want to make sure to use

idioms The Examiner will understand

exactly guys so on all of our shows guys

business English all ears English here

on Isles energy it is important that we

teach you not just what to say but also

what not to say I mean in that episode

These came from a listener these came

from a student of English right so we

know you guys are seeing so many

resources out there and it's hard to

know who to trust so listen to all of

our shows guys we have a new episode

from one of our podcasts every day of

the week so right now guys search

business English from all ears English

and hit follow wherever you're listening

yes awesome and we'll see you over on

the business English podcast as well as

right here on I energy thanks Jessica

thanks Aubrey bye bye

[Music]