Expression: Figure out

An episode of the Plain English podcast, hosted by Jeff at Plain English, titled "Expression: Figure out" was published on May 21, 2025 and runs 16 minutes.

May 21, 2025 ·16m · Plain English

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Episode Description

Great news -- the expressions are back!

"Essential English Expressions" is a brand-new podcast from Plain English. All 14 episodes from Season 1 are available now for you to stream. Click this link to subscribe on your favorite player: https://essential-english.captivate.fm/listen

In the meantime, enjoy this sample episode!

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There are two ways to use the phrasal verb "figure out."

Number 1: "figure out" means to find the solution to a problem. Now be careful: it doesn't mean fixing a problem. It just means finding the solution.

If your car needs to be repaired, you'll want to figure out how you're going to get to work while it's in the shop. Find the solution before you take your car in.

Number 2: "figure out" can mean to understand something complex. Like, "I can't figure out why my car is making a strange noise."

Here's a tip: after "figure out," use words like "who, what, when, where, or why."

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