This is an All ears English podcast episode 2598. It's been a day. Five phrases to connect when something is a lot. Welcome to the All ears English podcast. Downloaded more than 200 million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection with your American host Aubrey Carter, the IELTS Wiz, and Lindsay McMahon, the English adventurer. Coming to you from Arizona and Colorado, USA. And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com forward slash subscribe. Have you had a bad day? Today, get five new ways that are native and natural to say that your day was not ideal. Listen in to build connection in English. Who are you in your native language? Confident, funny, opinionated? Now, who are you in English? If you feel smaller, quieter, or less expressive, that's not because you're bad at English. It's because fluency is tied to identity. When you're unsure, you hold back. And when you hold back, people don't see the real you. You don't need perfect grammar. You need clarity about what is holding you back. In just two minutes, you can discover your English level and what's slowing your progress for free. Go to allearsenglish.com slash fluency score. That's allearsenglish.com slash F-L-U-E-N-C-Y-S-C-O-R-E. Hey, Aubrey, how's your day going so far? Oh, it's been a day. Let's see. We had, there's so many weird things have happened today. We were notified yesterday that they were going to redo the street, like the asphalt. And so we had to move all of the cars like down. So it's been, I almost feel like I live in New York again, having to like walk to my car to be able to go somewhere. Yeah, that's fun. But also my neighbor, I live next to him. And she's not here. And whatever it is, it can't be left out. I don't know if it's like something frozen or refrigerated. It's a gift. She just was told that it couldn't be left outside. So she asked me if I could watch for it and bring it in. But I, like I can't sit by the window and watch outside. So we're all sort of on a high alert trying to watch for something to be delivered. And it's crazy how much something like that will destroy the city. And I'm like, I'm like, I'm like, I'm like, I'm like, I'm like, I'm like, crazy how much something like that will disrupt your day. Yeah. It seems that all these things tend to happen on the same day. Right? Absolutely. Right? Yeah. The construction, the move in the car and this, and maybe the drilling is starting on the street, right? And then your neighbor needs your help. And then, gosh, yeah, some days are truly like that. It's so true. Everything at once. Well, this phrase is fun. It's been a day. It actually is accurate for me today. But this came up in the role play of a recent episode where I think it was you said, it's been a day. And we immediately thought, oh, that's a great phrase. We got to talk about that in a future episode. Yeah. And we'll let you know what episode that was in case you missed it at the end of the episode. But now let's get into this because this is kind of a trendy phrase right now. And we love to cover the trends, the language trends, on All Years English to make sure our listeners are connecting and they're up to date, right? Absolutely. Yeah. So let's dive into this one and then similar related phrases that we also. And a lot of these are sort of newer, trendy phrases. I'm excited to share these today. Yeah. So it's been a day is the phrase we're teaching you guys today, right? It's used when the day maybe has been long, exhausting, eventful. A lot of things have challenged you that day. Let's say. Exactly, right? We don't say this one a day was amazing and lots of positive things happened. We wouldn't say it's been a day. Like this is negative. Yeah, for sure. So for example, it's been a day. I got stuck in traffic and then was pulled into an end scheduled meeting that lasted all afternoon. So it's like at least two things, two or three or four things have happened that just don't feel ideal. Exactly, right? It almost sounded like you said I got struck in traffic. I know. Imagine that would be a much worse day than getting stuck in traffic. Yeah, there's always something worse. That's what we like to keep in mind. It could always be much worse. I was stuck in traffic, but at least I wasn't struck in traffic. I wasn't hit by a car. Can you imagine? No, gosh, no. What else would you say, Aubrey? Maybe after a long day say, I need a drink. It's been a day. Or whatever year go to vices. I need an ice cream cone. Exactly, right? Whatever it is, it'll take the edge off a little bit. Yeah, I had a day like this last week or two weeks ago where we're staying at my in-laws condo. And there's plumbing issues here. So we had constant different providers coming in the house. And my dog would bark. And I was trying to have meetings. And it was just like everything all at once. That would be terrible. And they give you like a window. So you never know exactly when they're coming. That's so hard. It's crazy. It's crazy. So yeah, that was a day. We don't really say it in the past like that, right? It's really only said in the phrase, it's been a day. We don't say that was a day. Exactly, good point. It will be a day. We don't do it that way. Exactly, this is a chunk to say it's been a day, word for word, meaning this day was a lot or this day was awful. And I guess you could say that was quite a day, right? And it would be the same idea. But it's not, this chunk is not conjugatable. Exactly, right? And this is newer to say it's been a day like this. But it's really been adopted. I'm hearing people say it a lot. Probably just because it's so fun. Yeah, I know. I've definitely heard it lately in the last couple years, for sure. But our next one is a little more flexible and has been around longer to just say what a day, meaning it's very similar meaning. But just like you said, you could also say like what a day this has been or this has turned out to be quite a day. Like there are other ways that we say this. Yeah, but this one I feel like could also be good. Don't you think? I mean, what a day. What a day we've had. We went to the baseball game. You won the lottery. That's true. This could be either depending on the context, right? You could share a few positive things that happened. And then what a day. And the intonation will be different. It'll sound more positive. Or maybe, or if it was just a full day, like it was up and down a lot happened that day. Good things, bad things. Oh, what a day. So we have one negative example and one positive example. I'll do the negative one. Ready? OK. What a day. I didn't stop running errands from morning till night. Just meaning same as like it's been a day. It means like there was just a lot happening. I love it. And then today was a lot. Now, we have one positive example there. I could share this one too. So this is where we're saying what a day when something's really positive. I finally finished that project. I've been stressing over for weeks. What a day. Yes. This is like, this was a very good day. Just saying like this day is notable. Yes, exactly. This is a memorable day. Something has happened of substance today. Exactly. And then today was a lot. I mean, just this construction alone, something is a lot or was a lot is also trendy. Very much so. And we're using this about people too, to say like, she's a lot or he's a lot. That could be another episode. Maybe they're like dramatic. Yeah. That could be another episode we could do as a follow up, Aubrey. That's a good idea. Just talking about this phrase a lot. But we'll just skim the surface today. One example, honestly, today was a lot. I got into a huge fight with my friend. So. Yeah, right. So something emotionally draining, emotionally taxing. Say it was a lot. You might say, today was a lot. I found out the company I worked for is about to have a lot of layoffs. So it's often used this way. When you receive some kind of news that was disturbing, this is also more negative to say today was a lot. And what we're talking about, and it's important to note, emotionally draining is what we said before, right? It's not so much that you had a lot of meetings. It could apply. Let's say you were just book solid and then you had to pick up your kids from swim class and not so much. There was a lot going on, just emotionally a lot. Right. Exactly. Yeah. It could definitely work for both, but often this is when we use it. When so and it's we were more emotionally drained. Emotionally drained. Yeah. And then another great one. It's been one of those days. Yes. I love this one. I use this a lot. You might say it's been one of those days. I spilled coffee on my shirt, missed the bus and forgot my wallet at home. Again, it all happens on the same day. It's so true. When it rains, it pours. It rains and pours. And you could also say, honestly, it's been one of those days. I'm ready to crawl into bed. That's the wise thing to do when you feel like you're having a day where things are just not going right, put on your pajama pants, Netflix, get into bed. You know? Yes. Exactly. That definitely happens to me. I have this shirt that has like a battery with the red showing. So it's like battery low and it says mom battery. I'm like, I put that on. I'm like, I'm dead being a mom today, guys. You can let everyone know, you know, you're taking the night off, right? I love that. It's so necessary. Totally. Yeah. Maybe you can handle meetings. Maybe you can explain your ideas, but your English still feels slightly formal, slightly careful, slightly held back. That is the fluency gap. It's not beginner problems anymore. It's refinement. If you're ready to sound more natural and more like yourself, start by knowing your level, take our free fluency quiz in just two minutes. Go to all ears English.com slash fluency score. That's all ears English.com slash F L U E N C Y S C O R E. Okay. We have one more that we don't want to forget. Um, rough day. So, yeah, right? I thought maybe we'll just say, oh, today was rough. Everything seemed to go wrong. Or you could say, I've had a rough day. So I'm just going to take a long bath and relax. This is how we find self compassion, right? We treat ourselves right to whatever meal we enjoy or just try to turn the day around a little bit or just try to recover. We've just recovered. Exactly. And we also will ask this as a question. If someone looks really exasperated, we might say rough day. Yes. Let's show how that looks in a role play. I'll start us out ready. Yeah. Rough day. Yes. Nothing is going right today. Yeah. And this doesn't have any kind of negative connotation of I'm not saying you look tired. I'm not saying, right? It just is like you seem kind of frazzled. And so you could say this rough day. Yes. Because we did a fantastic episode a few weeks ago on the dangers, the traps in commenting on someone's appearance, right? Right. Not saying you look tired or yes, yes. But this, you know, the fact that you're saying you're not saying it looks like you had a rough day, you're saying rough day, you're taking away the subject. Right. Um, it's interesting. Just that chunk by itself, rough day. And really it just means like, is everything okay? It seemed like that your day has been a lot. And it is less commenting on the look. It's more commenting on, Hey, I'm here for you. Do you want to talk about it? Right. What happened? Exactly. Yeah. So let's do a role play where we use all of these. And in this role play, I just got a phone call from you, my friend, Lindsay. All right. Here we go. I'll start us out. I just got home. It's been a day. Oh no. What happened? It was just today was just a lot boring work stuff. You don't want to hear about it. No, I do. For me, when it's been one of those days, it really helps to talk it out. Want to meet for ice cream? I would love that. Actually, say when and where and I'll be there. Well, that's the friend everyone needs. So true. The friend that invites you to go for ice cream when you had a day. Yes. The friend that's always around available to take you out for ice cream. I love it. So seriously. Yeah. So I started with that. It's been a day, right? So I am, if we're on the phone and you ask me how my day was, if I say this, I'm willing to share details about it. Usually, otherwise you would just say like, fine, today was fine. If you use this, you are opening the conversation plan on sharing some of what was so crazy about the day. Yeah. Our listeners should know that the phrase I'm fine or everything's fine is really code for, I don't want to talk about it. Exactly. Right. Just move on with the conversation, but it's been a day I should expect some details here or I can ask for them. Right. Yeah. So then you say, oh no, what happened? And then I'm like, today was just a lot. But then I sort of realizing, I'm realizing maybe you don't want to hear about it because it's boring work stuff. So I say boring work stuff. You don't want to hear about it. And this is my invitation to you to like pivot to something else. I'm letting you know, we don't have to talk about it. Yep. And so what I decided to do, which is a good connection skill is I said how I deal with it when I have one of those days, right? I said, well, for me, when it's been one of those days, it really helps to talk it out. And then I actually went even further and invited you out for ice cream. Fantastic. Such a good friend. I agree. And this is a great use of this. When it's been one of those days, it's also you connecting and sharing like, we all have those days, you know, there's no judgment or blame that someone's going through it, right? 100%. This is connection right here, Aubrey. I mean, this is great. So we had a episode 2571 was where this came from. This it's been a day, right? Aubrey that came from the role. That was called don't let English vocabulary break down on you. This came up in the role play. You said it's been a day and we promised this follow up. So if you missed that episode, scroll up and be sure to check it out. All right. Any other final takeaway for our listeners today? Yeah. I think this is great to keep in mind that when you have close friends, doesn't have to always be roses and sunshine, right? We all have these kind of days and, you know, be willing to share that use these phrases to share that with a friend that, you know, would care would be willing to talk it out with you. Yeah. Because they're also going to have their own bad days and they want you to be there for them too. Right. Absolutely. Right. If you're willing to share, then they will be comfortable sharing when they're also going through something like that. 100%. All right. Good connection episode today, Aubrey, and I'll talk to you very soon. You have a good rest of your day. Awesome. See you guys next time. All right. Bye. Bye. Thanks for listening to all ears English. Would you like to know your English level? Take our two minute quiz. Go to all ears English.com forward slash fluency score. And if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time. Oh, it's bad. What? What would the people do it? May. If I you be into it, Sam. What me? 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