Over 1,000 of the most common fixed expressions and idioms in the English language

This list has been compiled of the most fixed expressions and idioms in the English language--with 1,157 items. The reason that we have posted this
list is to get our current and potential students to start thinking like a linguist, so that they can have an easier time translating things, and more
productive study time when they sit down to complete their assignments. This list has been compiled for the sake of students who are enrolled
through Level 3 of a Broad Sky Alternative Language Academy program. Though this list in no way should be thought of as a complete list of
idioms and fixed expressions, it should however be thought of as a reference tool for a student trying to classify his/her native language, and as an
aid to help said student break down said language into the most basic parts of usage. What we mean by basic parts of usage is essentially, all the
different situations that a speaker of any language will generally find him/herself in when speaking whatever language on a daily basis. Though this
list has been written in English, it needs to be clarified that it has been compiled as a template for all languages. Though for some English (in this
list, American) idioms, there may not be an exact equivalent item that can be translated perfectly, there is almost always something that is close
enough.

To our readers: When you sit down to take a look at this list, you ought to do so carefully, and consider how we as speakers of American English
both think, as well as talk, about the every day situations that happen around us. You will notice that for most of these phrases, 1. there are multiple
ways of saying the same thing, and 2. it is a constant puzzle to match the phrase with the right preposition. Not sure what a preposition is? Well, to
give a quick clarification, a preposition can be looked at as 1. a word that connects two nouns, as well as 2. a word that indicates the position of a
particular noun in relation to another noun. While you yourself are probably already a master of "just knowing" when to use a particular preposition,
you will find that when you sit down and think about many of the fixed expressions that appear on this list, the particular preposition used in the
expression is often arbitrary, or just random. Yet you will notice that the phrase by itself is just a very common phrase that you already had
memorized. Yet, when you are forced to look at an expression such as "on foot", you will perhaps puzzle over why it is considered an acceptable
part of speech, but it is not grammatical. Shouldn't it be "on feet" as opposed to "on foot"? The reality is that such expressions are "just that way",
and there is no real way to translate them literally. They are called "fixed expressions" for a reason.

So, without further ado, we ask you to use this list to start thinking about how you will translate your everyday life from English, into whatever
other language you are learning. We guarantee that if you even learn as much as a third of the fixed expressions on this list by the time you are in
Level 3, you will be well on your way to having a great and deep understanding of your respective foreign language of study. Embrace, cherish, and
add on to this list!

during the day

at night
in the meantime
in the next few…+NOUN
for the time being
a remote chance
It’s not likely that…
to quit a job…
to remember to+INF
to forget to+INF
for the most part
many years ago
It’s been a long time since…
In my opinion…
Under/given the circumstances…
I’m taken aback that…
To get the bill
At full speed
To take one’s time + gerund
To take responsibility for…
To get/be accustomed/used to…
For the sake of…
In order to…
To hurry up and…
To speed up
To slow down
To have money saved up
To be bored out of one’s mind
Out in the open
In secret
To be sure/certain of…
Wide open
Shut tight
The fact that…
To say the least
Watch out (for)!
To be in trouble (with sbdy.)
Sorry to bother/trouble you, but…
Would you mind if…?
To go wrong
Go away!
Let’s get going
To be short/missing a…
Something is missing (from)
In the middle of the night
To be mistaken about…
Let’s check it out
To make sure that…
To be taken by surprise
To strongly disagree
To decide between (2 choices)
To make up one’s mind (about)
To have plans (for)
It isn’t worth it!
It’s not worth the trouble (of/to+gerund)
To take part in smthg.
To have trouble+gerund
On the way to…
To have time for smthg.
For free
To my amazement…
To keep in mind that…
To relate to/with sbdy.
To keep smthg.+adj.
To have a hunch that…
I can’t help (doing it)
To keep sthg up to date
To have feelings for
To keep sbdy. Informed (of smthg.)
To keep under control
To keep track of…
For just a+time word
To show up for…
To show up early/late
To have a knack for…
To be partial to…
To do away with…
For example
To go over smtg (fig)
To manage to…
To take note of…
To take notice of…
To make up for smthg.
To put stock in…
To save up (for)
At the time, I…
(that was)back when…
Back then,…
For the record,…
For as long as I can remember,…
To lose sleep over…
Oh, come on!
I’m just kidding!
For what it’s worth,…
To be right/wrong about
Tit for tat/an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
To have a strong need for…
To be nervous about…
To be jealous of…
To be in doubt of…
If I were you, I…
If I were in your shoes, I…
It bothers me that…
To no end
To get involved with…
To meddle in sbdy’s business/affairs
Something else
Somewhere else
Someone else
Something more
To be a good deal ($)
A good deal of...(part.)
To be a good idea
To be disgusted with/by…
To be interested in…
Enough+noun
Enough of+(part.)
Adj+enough
To worry about smthg.
To be concerned with…
To take smthg into consideration
To withhold information
To reach an understanding (of)
To reach/come to an agreement
To come to the conclusion that…
To strike a compromise
To make friends with…
To stand for…
To stand up against…
Once in a while
To start to+gerund
To stop quit+gerund
To be good for+gerund
To be qualified to...
To go well with…
To snack on smthg.
To get ready for…
With all one’s might
To be afraid of…
Out of+emotion
To lose track of…
To have a taste for…
Lack of…+NOUN
Tendency for/towards/to
To sort out…
Behind sbdy’s back
Without warning
For fun
To look up to sbdy.
To look down on sbdy.
To frown upon smthg.
To turn on
To turn off
To get away with smthg.
In all honesty,…
To tell the truth
To tell a lie
To brag about…
To talk trash about sbdy.
To help out with smthg.
To give comfort to
To mistake smg/sby for
Concrete details
To be uncomfortable with smthg.
To hint at smthg.
To be annoyed by smg.
To save the best for last
First of all…
In the future
In the past
Right now
The past few+time word
To change one’s mind
To switch+NOUN+with sbdy.
To advise against smthg.
To give good/bad advice
A detailed explanation
I bet that…
The kind of thing that…
As an example of…
An (un)biased opinion about…
A beautiful view (of)
To turn/hand in...
Current events
It all happened so suddenly…
To bring about…
To catch up with…
To ask for help
To make a sound
To be located in/at/etc
A change of+NOUN
To find out about…
To leave for+NOUN
In memory of…
Before long
To get ripped off (by)
To go for a ride
To go for a walk
Why don’t we…
To get ahead (fig)
To get ahead of one’s self (fig)
To be running ahead/behind (at)
I used to…+INF
To fall apart
To fall off
In denial
To get a second chance
One more time/once more
To beg for
It goes without saying that…
To hold one’s breath
Out of breath
You’re gonna make it
Rest assured that…
To get hold of smg.
To do one’s duty
In pain
To lead astray
To have a head/stomach ache
Spare change
Pocket money
To take a break/rest
Time to kill
To look like+NOUN
In mint condition
In good/bad condition
In power
To rise to power
To get a raise ($)
The sun comes up/goes down
To have/get a flat tire
To break up with sbdy.
To take off (clothing)
To put on
Down on one’s luck
To wake up
To fall asleep
To have no idea about
To talk sbdy out of smg.
It makes (no) sense
To say goodbye
The right/wrong way
It’s for the best that…
Some day
To be enough/not enough
Here’s to…(toast)
To leave behind
You had better
To pack one’s bags
To take forever (at)
It seems like…
To take notes
To come for a visit
To take pictures
To make music
First things first…
To run into smthg.
To give in (to)
To have a hangover
Under one’s breath
To smell like+NOUN
To scream/yell at sbdy.
Every minute/moment
Every day/week/month
Once/twice per+TIME
Right before one’s eyes
To act as if…
To be happy/pleased with/about…
Otherwise,…
Off-road
To get/turn off (of)
To be related to…
To have a good memory
A sense of…
Hard/easy to find
In jail/in prison
To make progress (with)
To work on
To find one’s way
To get lost
No more/anymore
To slip and fall (on)
On the weekend
To have/take a sick day
No time for…
In/out of touch with…
To lose control of…
Out of reach
Within reach
To spend the+TIME(+doing smg.)
To be in luck
A table for#
To take it easy
To feel wronged
To come/stop by (at)
To pass through (smwr.)
A friend of mine/his/etc
One of my…
A little
A lot
In pieces
On the mend
To return the favor
To do a favor for
Within range
Out of the area
Small town
Big city
To run up (a bill/tab)
To get over+NOUN
Few and far between
To look into smg. (fig)
To feel sorry for…
To pretend to+INF
To let go of smg. (lit/fig)
To feel sorry for…
To have fun+gerund
To have a good/bad time
Good night!
To wish someone well
To set free
Let go!
Call me+adj. (e.g. crazy)
Scared to death
To go crazy
To have a problem with…
To take turns (at)or(+gerund)
The rest of…
To go for a hike
All night long
To try to+INF
To be confused about
There’s a chance that…
This is between (you and me)/(him and her)
How come…
To make a fuss over…
To know about
To know how to…
By any means necessary
In debt/indebted to
A pile of…
To make good money
All over/around town
Out of town
To take smg. Seriously
At face value
By law
According to…
To put up with smg.
To deal with
To make clear
In bed
At the table
To trust in sbdy.
Topic of conversation
To have faith in…
To take effect
To sign up for…
In connection with
To come across as…
To get a point across
To be ignorant of…
In the aftermath of…
For no reason
To crash into…
To get into an accident
In an emergency
To have/get the feeling that…
To have the courage to…
A wide variety of…
To go on a date (with)
To be married engaged to
It’s common sense
To keep a secret
To be in conflict with…
Compared to/with…
To stop for…
On the side of the road
To feel threatened (by)
To score a goal (sports)
To apply for a job
Really?
Out for lunch/dinner
To fall in love with…
In alphabetical order
To fail at+gerund
It sounds good/bad
A turn for the worse
To make a difference(in)
To finish+gerund
To succeed at…
To be kicked out of…
To be good/bad at…
To be based on…
To refrain from…
In the way of…
To be ashamed of…
To be embarrassed by…
In/out of fashion/style
To take over+NOUN
In that case,…
In the event that…
A long way to go
To sing to sbdy.
To think about
Not quite as+adj.+as…
In silence
In compliance with…
To take care of…
To be impressed with/by
To take advantage of…
On a diet
To be homesick
Frozen/fresh food
On ice
On tap
To hope for…
To give credit to…
To disobey orders
As usual
To allow sbdy. To
To put/place emphasis on…
For dinner/for breakfast
The cause for
A strange turn of events
To make known that…
To work as a team
To insist on+gerund
Plenty of…
At midnight
At noon
To be close/nearby
To offer a solution
To travel the world
To check for…
That’s what I thought
To be cut off (from)
To be prejudiced toward
In favor of…
More or less
Too much+NOUN
With care
I guess/suppose that…
Up to…#amount(time, $, etc)
It’s up to you
When it comes to,…
To show weakness/strength
To give credit to…
To take credit for…
To be aware of…
To drive sbdy crazy
Under stress
It doesn’t matter that…
To take offense (at)
To have the courage to…
To come to the rescue of sbdy.
On purpose
To do the right/wrong thing
To make a decision
To see what happens
To talk at great length about
To raise/lower taxes/prices/etc.
To pay attention to…
For the benefit of…
In the short/long term
In harm’s way
As a matter of fact
In demand
A shortage of…
To take the blame for…
To suffer the consequences for…
To be attracted to…
The whole story/picture
To be drawn toward/to
To give someone the benefit of the doubt
To be of assistance (to)
With the exception of…
To take place
To take sides (with)
For profit
To give smg a try
You don’t get it…
To go blind
To turn a blind eye to…
To the best of my knowledge,…
To a certain degree/extent
To go bankrupt
Without a doubt
To believe in smg.
To focus on smg.
To be crazy about smg.
To handle smthg well/badly (emotional)
In a bind
To put into question
To get dressed
To put on
To take off
Paralyzed with fear
For the good of…
For the greater good
It will do you some good (to)
To be in a rage
To get worked up (about)
To confused smthg with smthg else
To trip over smthg.
In/out of line (with)
Sense of decency
Right to privacy
Under attack
To take inventory (of)
To make a list (of)
To be charged with
To be (found) guilty (of)
To put in jail/prison
To be in charge (of)
To take charge (of)
To sentence sbdy to…
Life in prison
The death penalty
To be acquitted (of)
To face facts
To be ignorant of...
The reality (of the situation) is…
What about…?
Who is to blame (for)?
At fault (for)
At risk (of)
To look out over…
To dream of/about…
To sympathize with…
To take a liking to…
To have a (firm) grasp of…
Never again
To take it easy
To take it slow
Once again,…
For lack of better words,…
To play along with…
To show one’s true colors…
…,at best,…
(to put) on the air (radio)
to settle a/the matter
once and for all
to decline an invitation
to accept an invitation
to refuse to+gerund
to live up to smthg.
To make smg better/worse
To leave smg alone
Drop it! (lit&fig)
The damage is done
To be in/out of luck
Fame and fortune
To have high/low expectations (for)
Regarding X matter,…
to put a dent in smthg.
to barely/hardly be able to do smthg.
To nearly/almost do something
To carry smthg out
To put into action
In effect
To draw attention to…
To admit defeat
To save/lose face
To keep in touch with sbdy.
To be out of touch with reality
Qualities in+NOUN
(To use an) approach to…
To fill in the blank(s)
To fill up the tank
To run on empty
Because of+NOUN
To have an eye/ear for smthg.
To take a shot at smthg.
Without regard for…
Difference of opinion
Conflict of interests
To be attentive to details
For sale
For rent
In/out of use
To feel inferior to…
At the moment,…
Living situation
At war with
What to…+INF
In/out of focus
In need of…
The ability to…
To move on (from)
It’s a matter of+NOUN
In/out of shape
To stay in shape
To be accepted to/at
To resist temptation
Sometimes I wonder,…
To live in fear of…
There’s no reason that…
To assert authority
To have authority over…
It’s not a big deal if…
Full-time job
Part-time job
To interview for a job
To be represented by
To be a symbol of…
To compare smthg with
To agree on an issue
To go on a trip
To see the best in…
To give in to (pressure)
Under pressure
For the rest of the+TIME
To go abroad
A change of plans
In the military
In a good/bad mood
To work for+NOUN
To get inspiration from…
To make a recording (of)
To end up+gerund
To wish/hope for…
To push for smthg.
To face adversity
Hearing loss
To make smg official
Proportionate to…
To escape unharmed
To get away from…
Over my dead body!
To have good standing (in)
To get a loan (from)
By the time…
To keep a secret
To test one’s luck
To be available for
On guard for…
At least
At the spur of the moment
On the spot
Disregard for…
Take-out food
To work through a problem
Up for grabs
On a (adj.) basis
Only on the condition that…
To put effort into smthg.
a+NOUN+like that
Not only,…but also…
On its own merit
Out with the old, in with the new
To be compensated for
To spend the night (at)
To stay with sbdy.
To be such a...
To make smg a priority
To give a speech (about)
To have an impact (on)
To render sbdy. speechless
A shining example of...
To meet in the middle (fig.)
Set in one’s ways
To right a wrong
To get even with sbdy.
One thing left to do
Out of+NOUN (lack)
To refresh one’s memory
To turn up/down the volume
A wide variety of…
You don’t belong here!
To bring back to life
At a high/low point
On one’s own
For personal gain
To come to the surface
For life
For good (final)
Banned+NOUN
To starve to death
Dying of thirst
To take an exam
To pass a/the test
To stay in school
Per hour
Per day
By the week
By the month
To vanish without a trace
To be prone to…
Too ADJ+for one’s own good
To see the point in…
The point of smthg.
A firm believer in…
To set a good example
To set smthg in stone
A change of heart
To get a foot one’s foot in the door (fig.)
To feel dizzy
To feel drowsy
At sea
On land
To get sea-sick
Up in the air
To have second thoughts about smthg.
To breathe a sigh of relief (about)
To gasp for air
To take the lead (in)
To lead sbdy on
To not know any better
Right now
Just a minute ago
…as hard as one can…
to enjoy+GERUND
On vacation
To be busy doing smg.
It’s up to you…
To drive over/under the speed limit
To get pulled over by the police
To get arrested (by)
To not have a penny to one’s name
To stay awake
To stay up late
To get up early
On time
To hold the door (for)
In anticipation of…
What do you make of this?
One of life’s lessons
One step at a time
All at once
Little by little
At a glance
At first glance
To make excuses (for)
To show respect (for)
In the mail
To put to the side
On the side
To have good/bad manners
To mind one’s own business (about)
A preconceived notion (about)
…before it’s too late…
to see/recognize a pattern/trend
to be in chaos
to bring order to…
to trouble sbdy. for smg.
To agree to do smthg.
To go back on one’s word (about)
To turn someone in (THE LAW)
Law and order
To keep the peace
To become obvious that…
To wish smg. on sbdy.
To have legal troubles
To be held responsible (for)
To be a big fan (of)
To convince sbdy of…
In the streets
Out in the cold
In the sun
In the shade
In the snow
What is going on?
In traffic/in a traffic jam
To get a ride to…(work)
Who knows?
To get on/off (pub trans)
To take time off (work)
Leave of absence
On call
To tie one’s shoes
All the way to…
The whole time...
To be missing
An attempt at+gerund
Figure of speech
To take pride in…
To be proud of…
To manage to do smthg.
A good night’s sleep
A night of drinking
To be up all night
A hard day’s work
To find out for one’s self (about)
To find out that…
To be far along (with)
A bundle of…
To sympathize with
To go shopping (for)
To go hunting (for)
To go fishing (for)
to need a break (from)
I can’t tell if/whether…
To be obsessed with…
The idea/notion that…
To show one’s appreciation (for)
To be skilled at/in…
To be trained for/at…
To be thankful for…
To be obedient to (authority)
To be confused about…
To be out of breath
To condemn sbdy for…
To say harsh words to…
To bite the bullet and…
A snide remark
To increase productivity
An unlikely scenario
To have free time
To surrender to smthg.
In memory of…
To be getting late
To be getting cold
To warm up
To cool down/off
To be freezing
To have hard feelings about smthg.
To breed contempt
To have contempt for…
All things considered
To be better off+gerund
To commit a crime
To swear an oath (to)
To keep/break a promise
A means to do smthg.
To come up with the money (for)
to feel like doing smthg.
A misguided effort (to)
To keep a clean house
To be brutally honest
To hurt sbdy’s feelings
Apology accepted!
To drag one’s feet (fig)
Out and about
Never mind!
To complain about smg.
At odds with sbdy.
To beat the odds
On the coast
To go through customs
To make drama (about)
A healthy environment
To protect the environment
To calm down (about)
To consider every possibility
To calm one’s nerves
To be satisfied with…
To conduct an interview
To take smg for granted
To be amused by smthg.
…to no end…
Back and forth
To no end
To let smthg happen
To get over smthg.
To stand in the way of progress
Work in progress
In the process of…
In the middle of…
To remind sbdy of smthg.
A particular place and time
To come to the aid/assistance of
To come to the rescue
To refresh one’s memory
A lack of common sense
Due to…
To make a good/bad impression on sbdy.
Compared to/in comparison with…
To have an advantage over sbdy.
A first impression of…
To have power over…
In public
To get in the way (of)
To take shots (alcohol)
To be certain of smthg.
To admit fault
To have a fight (with)
To hold smthg against sbdy.
To treat sbdy/smg like…
To be different from…
Thanks to…
Because of…
To take a nap…
On top of…
to wait in line (for)
over and over (again)
It’s a tie!
To have the right of way
On the fence (fig)
In search/pursuit of…
In the past
In the present day and age
To prove a point
To prove one’s worth
It’s a case of…
The right amount
It is beyond all understanding why…
Full of…
Just in time for…
To pick sbdy up (from)
To hand in (home)work
To hand smthg out
To do chores
To shoot at sbdy/smthg.
To be in a hurry
To yell/scream at sbdy.
Out loud
To let out a noise (sigh/laugh/scream/etc)
To knock on a door
To keep smthg/sbdy in mind
A waste of time
To know how to+INF
To spy on sbdy.
To shed light on smthg. (fig.)
How often…?
To demand restitution
In court
On trial
To lower one’s standards
A sip of…
A bite of…
To repair damage
A giant+NOUN
To be critical of…
To go to bed
To get up in the morning
The answer to (a question)
To promise to+INF
On display
The meaning of smthg.
To be mean to sbdy.
To treat sbdy with kindness/cruelty
To give an explanation (of)
To owe sbdy a favor
To lock one’s self out (of)
For the love of
To go in the direction of
It’s your turn!
To get rid of smthg.
To deprive sbdy of smg.
To beg for forgiveness
To keep quiet
To be upset about smg.
To play in a band
The/an opportunity to…
To interact with…
To inform sbdy about…
To be allowed to+INF
To be eager to+INF
To eagerly await smthg.
To do nothing but…
To have good/bad social skills
To be knowledgeable about…
To be skilled at…
To take sbdy hostage
A day off work
To sign up for smthg.
To make fun of smthg.
To run out of time
Time is running out
To be available for…
To make comments about
In/out of context
To make up for lost time
It’s nice to….for a change…
A change of scenery
To lose one’s train of thought
The majority of…
To make up for lost time
To have good/bad intentions
To culminate in+NOUN
To have (no) patience for
To suffer from
To kick/punch sbdy in the…(body part)
To drop sbdy off at…
In the wild
Instead of+gerund
To apologize for…
For the duration of…
To talk on the phone (with sbdy.)
To be angry with sbdy.
In good/bad taste
To have good taste (in)
To say smthg without thinking
…without giving a thought to…
To think smthg through
To react to smthg/sbdy.
On one’s knees
On foot
In good/bad health
To go barefoot
A sense of decency
It is a sign that…
To be opposed to…
Back then,…
In a nutshell,…
To lay down one’s life (for)
To be plagued by guilt
To be a metaphor for…
To climb trees
To climb up a (specific) tree
Land/sea/forest-dwelling animal
To jump off a building/bridge
To go to a meeting
In a war zone
The height of smg.
The width of smg.
The length of smg.
X+measurement+high/
wide/long
At the height of+NOUN (an empire/an age/etc)
What color is…?
As punishment
To spend money on…
To have the potential to/for…
To wreak havoc on…
To come up with/devise a plan
To lift weights
To share smg with sbdy.
At all/not at all
To suffer the consequences (for)
Of X heritage (e.g. Scottish)
To be honest with one’s self
To step outside for some fresh air
To follow one’s instincts
To devote one’s self to…
To step aside
To dampen sbdy’s spirits
To make a/the prediction that…
To spend one’s life doing smthg.
On the verge of+gerund
The thing is,…
It depends on…
To look forward to…
At the thought of…
To pride one’s self in/on…
To lose consciousness
To knock sbdy unconscious
To lead a (ADJ) life
To flip a coin (for)
To roll the dice (for)
To proceed with caution
A stack/pile of…
A deck of cards
To play cards
At will
At random
On command
At a loss
In a state of…
In crisis
To perform surgery
To perform a play
A work of art
To go on a rampage
To throw a party
To throw a temper tantrum
I welcome the opportunity to…
To accept a/the challenge
A set of…
To play pool
To play chess
To play darts
To play X-ball
To swim laps (in pool)
A jack of all trades
By profession
To lend one’s support to
To plan on+gerund
To smell like…
From now on,…
To get straight to the point (of)
To lose focus (of)
The main idea (of)
To recommend smg to sbdy.
To keep on schedule
To gain/lose weight
To have a preference for
I would rather….
To dress up as…
To win a prize
To get exercise
To make a connection between
To mix 2 things together
Of special interest (to)
To bring smg to a boil
To have an air of+QUALITY
A wad/clump of…
Resulting in+EFFECT
To set sail (on)
The high seas
To force sbdy to+INF
To be suspected of+gerund
To catch sbdy off guard (at/while)
In hindsight
Well-disciplined
To have no discipline
In slow motion
To be kicked out of/expelled from…
To get fired (from)
To be open/closed-minded
To be disappointed by…
To take smthg at face value
From what I can tell,…
To be caught in a vicious circle
To pollute the environment
To contribute to smthg.
What kind of…is X?
In/out of tune
To sing off key
To apply for a job
A positive/negative environment
To be considerate/act considerately toward…
To care about smthg.
The way of the world
To play an instrument
To strum on…
To have talent (for)
To be mindful of…
To make a transition to…
To invite sbdy to…
To get a flat tire
To have a spare/extra+NOUN
To step on the accelerator/gas
To step on the brakes
To fall victim to…
To watch a movie
To look after (children)
To mow the lawn/grass
To set smg apart from smg else
To stand in for sbdy.
To find a replacement for…
To have down-time
To pass out while/in the middle of…
To stay awake for smthg
In advance (of)
Over time,…
To have unintended consequences
In/with regards to smg.
To reduce smg to smg.
To turn smg into smg (else)
To hold on to…
To receive preferential treatment (for)
That’s (not) my first choice
Lend me your ear!
It will only take a moment/minute/second
In the scheme of things,…
To scheme/plot to do smthg.
To keep smg as a pet
To prevent fires
To put out a fire
To keep/prevent smthg from happening (to)
To happen to sbdy.
The moral of the story is…
To make/lose a bet
To declare war
To go to church
To go to war

by REBECCA THERING

Basic English: 30+ Golden Phrases That Are Incredibly Useful

Do you want to say more than “Hi” and “How are you?”
And would you like to sound like a native English speaker now (instead of waiting until you reach the advanced level)?
You’re in the right place!
Below are 30 basic phrases that people use every day. They are useful phrases that’ll also help your knowledge of English grow.
First, let’s look at a few ideas for how to learn these new phrases.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
 How to Learn Basic Phrases in English
As you read each phrase below for the first time, say it aloud four times. Yes, four times! (They’re short phrases.)
Then, print this list of phrases.
If you have a conversation partner, ask your exchange partner to say the phrases while you record them on a smartphone, computer or recording
device. That way you can listen to the recording and practice the pronunciation by yourself at home.
Then, choose two phrases each day to focus on. Here’s what you could do every day to learn each phrase:
 Picture a situation in your mind where you could use the phrase. Imagine the other people in the scene and what they’re saying. See yourself saying
the phrase.
 Listen/look for the phrase while you watch TV, listen to the radio, read blogs, etc. You can even search for a word or phrase in FluentU to instantly
find authentic English videos that use it.
Plus, every FluentU video comes with built-in learning tools like vocabulary lists and interactive subtitles, so you’ll learn even more real-world
English
 Then, use the phrase in casual writing. Write a tweet (on Twitter), a Facebook post or an email to a friend.
 Finally, use the phrase in 2-5 real conversations.
Write on your list and check off each phrase as you learn it.
By practicing two phrases each day, in 15 days you’ll know the whole list! Or if you learn one phrase each day, then in a month you’ll know these
phrases really well!
30 Basic English Phrases You’ll Use Over and Over
Phrases for Anywhere

These first eight phrases can be used in many different situations.

1. Thanks so much.
This is a simple sentence you can use to thank someone.
To add detail, say:
Thanks so much + for + [noun] / [-ing verb].
For example:
Thanks so much for the birthday money.
Thanks so much for driving me home.
2. I really appreciate…
You can also use this phrase to thank someone. For example, you might say:
I really appreciate your help.
Or you can combine #1 and #2:
Thanks so much for cooking dinner. I really appreciate it.
Thanks so much. I really appreciate you cooking dinner.
3. Excuse me.
When you need to get through but there’s someone blocking your way, say “Excuse me.”
You can also say this phrase to politely get someone’s attention. For example:
Excuse me sir, you dropped your wallet.
Excuse me, do you know what time it is?
4. I’m sorry.
Use this phrase to apologize, whether for something big or small. Use “for” to give more detail. For example:
I’m sorry for being so late.
I’m sorry for the mess. I wasn’t expecting anyone today.
You can use “really” to show you’re very sorry for something:
I’m really sorry I didn’t invite you to the party.
5. What do you think?
When you want to hear someone’s opinion on a topic, use this question.
I’m not sure if we should paint the room yellow or blue. What do you think?
6. How does that sound?
If you suggest an idea or plan, use this phrase to find out what others think.
We could have dinner at 6, and then go to a movie. How does that sound?
Let’s hire a band to play music, and Brent can photograph the event. How does that sound?
7. That sounds great.
If you like an idea, you can respond to #6 with this phrase. “Great” can be replaced with any synonym, such as “awesome,” “perfect,” “excellent” or
“fantastic.”
A: My mom is baking cookies this afternoon. We could go to my house and eat some. How does that sound?
B: That sounds fantastic!
8. (Oh) never mind.
Let’s say someone doesn’t understand an idea you’re trying to explain. If you’ve explained it over and over and want to stop, just say “oh, never
mind.” You can now talk about something else!
You can also use “never mind” to mean “it doesn’t matter” or “just forget it.” In these situations, say it with a smile and positive tone,
though. Otherwise, when you say this phrase slowly with a falling low tone, it can mean you’re bothered or upset.
A: Are you going to the grocery store today?
B: No, I’m not. But why—do you need something?
A: Oh, never mind. It’s okay, I’ll go tomorrow.
Phrases for Learning English

As an English learner, you’ll need to tell others that English is not your first language. You’ll also need to ask native speakers to repeat phrases and
words or to speak slower. The following phrases will be useful for this.
9. I’m learning English.
This simple phrase tells people that English is not your native language. If you’re a total beginner, add “just started” after I: “I just started learning
English.”
My name is Sophie and I’m learning English.
10. I don’t understand.
Use this phrase when you don’t understand what someone means.
Sorry, I don’t understand. The U.S. Electoral College seems very confusing!
11. Could you repeat that please?
If you’d like someone to say a word, question or phrase again, use this question. Since “to repeat” means “to say again,” you can also ask, “Could
you say that again please?”
We can say “please” either at the end of the question or right after “you,” like this:
Could you please repeat that?
Could you repeat that please?
12. Could you please talk slower?
Native speakers can talk very fast. Fast English is hard to understand! This is an easy way to ask someone to speak more slowly.
Note: This phrase is not grammatically correct. However, it’s used often in everyday (casual) speech. The grammatically correct question would be,
“Could you please talk more slowly?”
That’s because “slowly” is an adverb, so it describes verbs (like “talk”). “Slower” is a comparative adjective, which means it should be used to
describe nouns (people, places or thing), not verbs.
(For example: My car is slower than yours.)
A: You can give us a call any weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at five five five, two five zero eight, extension three three—
B: I’m sorry, could you please talk slower?
13. Thank you. That helps a lot.
After someone starts speaking more slowly for you, thank them with this phrase.
You can use it in many other situations, too.
A: Ben, could you please make the font bigger? It’s hard for me to read the words.
B: Sure! I’ll change it from size 10 to 16. How’s this?
A: Thank you. That helps a lot.
14. What does _____ mean?
When you hear or see a new word, use this phrase to ask what it means.
A: What does “font” mean?
B: It’s the style of letters, numbers and punctuation marks when you type. A common font in the USA is Times New Roman.
15. How do you spell that?
English spelling can be tricky, so make sure to learn this question. You could also ask someone, “Could you spell that for me?”
A: My name is Robbertah Handkerchief.
B: How do you spell that?
16. What do you mean?
When you understand the words one by one, but not what they mean together, use this question. You can ask it whenever you’re confused about
what someone is telling you.
A: The Smiths do have a really nice house, but the grass is always greener on the other side.
B: What do you mean?
A: I mean that if we had the Smith’s house, we probably wouldn’t be happier. We always think other people have better lives than us, but other
people have problems too.
Phrases for Introducing Yourself and Making Friends

Here are some phrases for introducing yourself when you meet new people, and questions to learn more about them.
17. Hi! I’m [Name]. (And you?)
Here’s an informal greeting you can use when you meet new friends. If the person doesn’t tell you their name, you can ask “And you?” or “And
what’s your name?”
Hi! I’m Rebecca. And you?
18. Nice to meet you.
After you learn each other’s names, it’s polite to say this phrase.
A: Hi Rebecca, I’m Chad.
B: Nice to meet you, Chad.
A: Nice to meet you too.
19. Where are you from?
Ask this question to find out which country someone is from. You answer this question with “I’m from ~.”
Can you answer this question in English? Say both the question and answer aloud right now. (Four times, remember?)
A: Nice to meet you, Sergio. So, where are you from?
B: I’m from Spain.
20. What do you do?
Most adults ask each other this question when they meet. It means what do you do for a living (what is your job).
I think this question is boring, so I ask other questions. But many people will probably ask you this, so it’s important to know what it means.
A: What do you do, Cathleen?
B: I work at the university as a financial specialist.
21. What do you like to do (in your free time)?
Instead of asking for someone’s job title, I prefer to ask what they enjoy doing. The responses (answers) are usually much more interesting!
A: So Cathleen, what do you like to do in your free time?
B: I love to read and to garden. I picked two buckets of tomatoes last week!
22. What’s your phone number?
If you want to keep in contact with someone you just met, ask this question to find out their phone number. You can replace “phone number” with
“email address” if you want to know their email address.
You might also hear people use the more casual “Can I get your ~?,” as in, “Can I get your phone number?”
It would be great to meet up again sometime. What’s your phone number?
23. Do you have Facebook?
Many people keep in touch (contact) through Facebook. Use this question to find out if someone has a Facebook account. You might also ask, “Are
you on Facebook?”
Let’s keep in touch! Do you have Facebook?
Phrases for Work
Finally, here are seven basic phrases you might use at a job.
24. How can I help you?
If you work in customer service, you’ll use this phrase a lot. It’s also a common phrase when answering the phone.
[On the phone]: Hello, this is Rebecca speaking. How can I help you?
25. I’ll be with you in a moment.
When someone wants to see you, use this phrase if you need a minute to finish something first. If a client is waiting at a store, you can also use this
phrase to show that their turn is next.
You can replace “moment” with “minute”: “I’ll be with you in (just) a minute.”
Another common phrase for this situation is “I’ll be right with you.”
Good morning! I’ll be with you in a moment.
26. What time is our meeting?
You can use this question’s structure to ask the time of any event: “What time is [event]?”
If you want to ask about a meeting on a certain day, add “on [day].” For example, “What time is our meeting on Thursday?”
What time is our meeting on Wednesday?
27. Please call me (back) at…
When you want someone to call you or to call you back (to return your call), use this phrase to give your phone number.
Hi, this is Cathleen from the financial office.
I’m wondering if you found those missing receipts.
Please call me back at 555-5555. Thanks!
28. (Oh really?) Actually, I thought…
 When you disagree with someone, “Actually, I thought…” will make you sound kinder and more polite than saying “No” or “You’re wrong.” This
phrase is useful when you have a different idea than someone else.
A: So Sam’s coming in tonight at 8, right?
B: Actually, I thought he wasn’t working at all this week.
A: Oh, ok. I’ll have to look at the schedule again.
29. Actually, I [verb]…
Just like in #28, you can use “actually, I…” with many different verbs: “heard,” “learned,” “am,” “can,” “can’t,” etc. You should use it for the same
situation as above: when you have a different idea than someone else.
A: Did you finish the reports?
B: Actually, I am running a bit behind, but they’ll be done by noon!
C: When you type, always put two spaces between sentences.
D: Actually, I learned to put a single space between sentences.
30. I’m (just) about to [verb]…
When you’re going to start something very soon, you’re “just about to” do something.
I’m just about to send those faxes.
I’m about to go and pick up some coffee. Do you want anything?

These 30 phrases are just the beginning. There are many other easy English phrases you can learn as a beginner. When you’re ready, check out these
posts for more:
 Phrases for beginner conversation
 Phrases for being positive and encouraging others
 Phrases for restaurants
 Phrases for traveling
Happy learning!

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
 DinoLingo: LEARN ENGLISH FOR KIDS –> Try a free lesson

Believe it or not: You might not believe this but…

Bites more than he/she can chew: Takes more responsibility than he/she can handle

Break a leg!: Good luck!

Business as usual: Things are the same as usual

Costs arm and a leg: Costs a lot

Dawn till dusk: From morning till the evening

Dozen a dime/dime a dozen: So easy to find, not so valuable

Nitty gritty: The most essential part of

Nuts and bolts: Details

On the flip side: On the other hand

Party animal: A person who likes partying

 Sounds like a broken record: Repeating the same things over and over

Speaking of which: I like apple, speaking of which I will grab some apple juice for my self

Strike a balance: Have a good balance of

Testing the waters: Experimenting, assessing the reaction

The bottom line is: Simply put…It all comes down to

Think outside the box: Think differently

You gotta be kidding me: you must be joking

1 o’clock “sharp”: “Exactly” at 1 o’clock

Back to the grind: Back to the usual

Chicken: Coward/ afraid or nervous about doing things

Don’t joke with me: Are you serious?? Don’t mess with me

Down to earth: Realistic

Get a life: Try to be like a normal person, pay attention to things that are important

Get to the point: Don’t beat around the bush

 Give somebody a hard time: Bothering someone

Give someone a hand: Help someone

Go Dutch: Splitting the bill, paying 50/50

Good for nothing: Not good

Hold on a second: Just wait a moment

I beg to differ: I’d rather take a different stance on this topic

I blew it: I wasted my chance

I’m hosed: I am in a bad situation

I’m on my way to…: I am heading towards to…

In terms of X: When X is evaluated.

It’s a long story: What you are asking me is a complicated matter

It’s a piece of cake: So easy

Keep me in the loop: Keep me posted, keep me updated

Keep your cool: Just stay calm

 Know something inside out: Know every detail, know by heart

Make up one’s mind: Making a decision

Now and then: Sometimes, once in a while

Pie in the sky: Ridiculous

Play it by ear: Decide about something when it happens instead of making a decision in advance

Rings a bell: Sounds familiar

Rise and shine: parents tell this to their children to wake them up

Sleep on it: Think about it little more

Sort of: Kind of,

Take a hike: Just get away, get out of here

Throw in the towel: Give up, quit

Under the radar: Without attracting notice

When it comes to X: If we talk about X…

You Bet: I agree with you

 You’re telling me!: Yes! I totally agree with you

a red flag: a sign that makes someone/something unreliable

I don’t get it: I don’t understand

Round the clock: 24 hours a day

… You name it: Anything related that you can imagine

….You never know: Don’t leave your door open, you never know what might happen

…and what not.: ..And so on, anything you can imagine

Beats me: I don’t know how it happened but it makes me feel bad

Behave yourself: Act politely, properly

Big deal: Important thing

Broke: Have no money

By and large: Generally

Call it a day: Finish working

Couch potato: Someone sits in front of TV all the time

 Don’t be a stranger: We are friends, please stop by whenever you can

Don’t sweat it: Don’t worry about it, don’t make a big deal out of it

Easier said than done: It is always easier to say/claim something, but hard to do/execute

Even Steven: Equal, fair

Fair enough: What you recommend is OK

Feel blue: Feel sad or depressed

Fender bender: Very small, trivial damage

First come first served: People will be served in the order of arrival

Get a foot in the door: Start something, enter the organization

Get on one’s nerves: You are getting on my nerves: you are annoying me

Get out of here!: Are you serious??

Getting goosebumps: Getting excited

Give It to me straight: Please tell me straightforward

Go for it: Yes, you should try it

 Go with the flow: Doing things like everyone else, trying not to stand out

going nuts: Going crazy/ insane

Got It: Got it: I understood what you said

Grab a bite: Eat, have a meal

The grass is greener on the other side: Things we don’t own always look more attractive

Hang in there: Just keep what you are doing, don’t give up

Have the guts: Have courage

He lost it: He lost his temper

Hop In: Get in the car, jump in the car

I blew it!: I wasted my chance

I can eat a horse: I am so hungry

I don’t buy it: I don’t believe it

I had a second thought about it: I changed my mind

I owe you one: You just helped me and I have to help you with something else in the future
 In a nutshell: In summary, briefly

It totally slipped my mind: I totally forgot about it

It’s a Deal: Yes, I agree to your offer

It’s written all over your face: You are lying, your facial expression gives you away

Jump to conclusions: Making conclusions/generalizations too quickly

Keep an eye on: Making sure something is safe or OK. Can you keep an eye on my computer while I’m outside?

Keep in touch: Keeping in contact

Keeping my fingers crossed: I’m keeping my fingers crossed: I hope for the best outcome

My two cents: That’s my opinion

Nature calls: I have to run to the bathroom

No strings attached: There is no trick or future negative consequences

Now you’re talking: I agree with you. What you just said is better than the other things you said

Oh! Shoot: Oh no!

Out of the blue: Unexpectedly

 Out of this world: So good, great

Over my dead body: You have to kill me to do that, I will not let that happen

Over my head: Beyond my understanding, difficult for me to understand

Pain in the a../neck: Tough to do, something that is difficult. Doing this homework is a pain in the neck

Piece of cake: Very easy

Pulling my leg: Tricking me, playing a joke

Put yourself in my place/shoes: Presume that you are me, what if you were me

Rain or shine: Regardless of the weather

Read between the lines: Understand what others intend to say without words

Sick and tired of something: Feeling bad about Something that has been happening all the time

Silver Lining: Every difficult situation has an advantage

Sooner or later: Eventually …, one day …

Take it easy: Don’t try so hard, enjoy what you are doing

Taking something for face value: Accepting something automatically, not thinking deeply about it
 Thank Goodness: Luckily

Under the weather: Not feeling good

What a small world: What a coincidence

What gives?: What is the matter? What is the reason …?

You can say that again: What you just said was great

You made it!: You succeeded, you arrived on time

You snooze, you lose!: Don’t hesitate to do it

You’ve got to be kidding: You must be joking

Before you know it: Before you realize what’s happening

Close call: Usually said after something just misses the target

Crashed at/into: To stay without formal notice

Dire Straights: Difficult financial situation

Down the road: In the future

Drama Queen: Girl/woman who wants to be the center of attention and causes troubles all the time
 Drop the ball: Making a mistake

if you connect the dots: If you look at the big picture

in a sense that: From a different perspective

It depends…: Depends on a situation

Judgment call: The rules are not clear

Jury is out: The final decision still hasn’t been made

Let me put it this way: Let me try to explain in different words

Pay it forward: A favor received should be done to others

Perse: Only this/these

R.I.P.: Abbreviation for “Rest In Peace”, e.g. R.I.P. Michael Jackson

Raising eyebrows: Hard to believe /trust

Right around the corner: Soon

RSVP: Abbreviation for “Please reply”

Self-explanatory: Easy to understand without an explanation

 So be it: Let it happen

So to speak: In other words

Stakes are high: Many people/organizations have an interest in this matter

Step up the plate: Take a responsibility

Technically speaking: In technical terms

the bogeyman: ghostly, monstrous creature

the bottom line is: the most simple thing that should be taken into account

the holy grail: an important object or goal

The other day.: Recently, a few days ago, sometime in the near past

think outside the box: Try to think about unconventional/unusual solutions

this is baloney: This is nonsense, over exaggeration

when pigs fly: It’s never going to happen

Wishful thinking: Subjectively thinking what we want to happen

You know the drill: You know how it is done

 You nailed it: You completed the task perfectly

You scratch my back I’ll scratch yours/tit for tat: If you do me a favor, I’ll also do you a favor

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100+ Idiomatic Expressions: The Ultimate Guide to
Learning Them

Idiomatic expressions are groups of words with an established meaning unrelated to the
meanings of the individual words. Sometimes called an expression, an idiom can be very colorful and make a ‘picture’ in our minds.

Some common idiomatic expressions:

 He let the cat out of the bag (accidentally told a secret).

 She got off Scott-free (escaped without punishment).
 He flew off the handle (went crazy).
We love idiomatic expressions and idiomatic phrases in English, don’t we? From an English language-learner’s point of view, they are
the ‘icing on the cake’ much like phrasal verbs. But how do we remember what they mean and how to use them?

We can memorize a few, and try to use them as often as we can (probably too often!), but how do we manage an idiom that we are
meeting for the first time?

Click here to download our free guide to English Idioms.

No email required!

I’m going to show you how you can easily understand more than 100 English idioms, used in both American English and British
English, even the first time you hear them.

Firstly, you need to know that idioms and phrases are everywhere in English: anything that doesn’t have a literal, physical meaning is
an idiom. Let’s look at some idiom examples:

 I find his excuses hard to swallow, he’s lying.

 The police have been digging around in his accounts looking for evidence of fraud.
 He’s a really bright spark, so I think he’ll do well at school.

These sentences all contain idioms, because you can’t swallow words or dig in a bank account in any literal or physical way – and how
can a ‘spark’ do well at school? You’ll also notice that a literal translation into most languages won’t make sense.

These kinds of idioms are far more common, and therefore far more important, than the more colorful expressions like ‘He’s kicked
the bucket’ (died), ‘She’s hitting the books’ (studying), or ‘Break a leg!’ (Good luck!), and without them students often sound too
formal – saying things like:

 I don’t believe his excuses.

 The police have been investigating his accounts looking for evidence of fraud.
 He is a very intelligent student, so I think he’ll succeed at university.

So how can you learn idioms without memorizing huge lists of English expressions? Many of my students in my online English
classes ask me this. I’ll show you how.
List of Common English Idioms:
Idiom Meaning

Hard to swallow Difficult to believe

Digging around Looking for

He’s a really bright spark He’s an intelligent person

He’s kicked the bucket He’s died

She’s hitting the books She’s studying hard

Break a leg! Good luck!

Set out on a new career Start a new career

Saunter through life Live in a relaxed way

Follow in someone’s footsteps Do something the way another person did it before

One step at a time Do something slowly and carefully

Career path The sequence of jobs someone takes that create their career

Milestones Important events in a person’s life or career

Dead end job A job that offers no opportunity for advancement

To be at a crossroads When someone is at a point in life where their decisions will have long term consequences

He’s on the straight and narrow He’s living in a morally proper way
Idiom Meaning

To walk someone through something To show someone how to do something

We need to come up with a road map We need to make a plan

I wouldn’t go down that road if I were

I wouldn’t do that if I were you!
you!

Don’t run before you can walk Don’t try to do something difficult before mastering the basics

Inching forward When progress on something is being made in small increments

To move at a snail’s pace To move slowly

To get good mileage out of something To get a lot of benefits from something

To have your whole life in front of you To be young and have a lot of years to live

To get on with your life To make progress in life goals after a difficulty

To tread carefully To behave or speak carefully to avoid offending or causing problems with someone or something

To be a minefield When something presents many possible dangers

We’ll cross that bridge when we come to

To wait to worry about one problem at a time
it

Information superhighway The internet

Time is money Time is a valuable resource

A tasty (or juicy) bit of gossip Very interesting or sensational gossip

To devour someone or something To consume something very quickly

Idiom Meaning

To add a pinch of salt to something To acknowledge that someone exaggerates

To chew something over To think about something before making a decision

To not swallow something To not accept something as fact

To bite off more than you can chew When someone makes a commitment that they cannot keep

To eat your wods When someone has to admit they were wrong

A warm welcome A friendly welcome

The cold shoulder An unfriendly welcome

When things heat up between people When a relationship becomes romantic

To be cold-hearted To be dispassionate or uncaring

A 24-hour hotline A phone line that is always active

A very frosty reception To receive a greeting that makes someone feel unwelcome

The Cold War War without active fighting between nations

A warm smile and the warm handshake A welcoming smile and handshake

People who call phones, usually for sales, who don’t have previous contact with the person they’re
Cold callers
calling

We took the temperature of the group Checked the overall opinion of a person or group of people about something

Most people were quite warm about the

People have a positive reaction to the idea
idea
Idiom Meaning

You’ll reap the rewards later To collect the benefits of your work

To prune out To clear, clean or groom something

Separate the wheat from the chaff Separate what is useful or valuable from what is worthless

Rooted in Based on something or connected to a source/cause

To cutback something To reduce something, usually related to the amount of money spent

To dig deep To use a lot of your physical, mental or financial resources to achieve something

Great growth A positive change in the production of goods or services

Root and branch Completely/utter

Seed money Money that is used to start a small business or other activity

Bright shoot Start something new, a new chapter

Plough its own furrow To follow a plan or course of action independently

Green fingers Have an ability to make plants grow, to be good at gardening

To argue that something is the best thing to do, to explain and give reasons why something should
Build/make a good case
be done

A fabrication To tell lies about something, completely made-up/invented

To be on solid ground To be confident about the topic you are dealing with, or because you are in a safe situation

Build on To use something as a base or foundation to develop something else

Shattered To break something into a smaller form or into many pieces

Idiom Meaning

Undermine your position Behave in a way that makes you less likely to succeed

Demolish your arguments To break down someone’s argument to an extent that it is no longer accurate or correct

Constructive criticism Criticism that is useful because they can help improve something

Grounds for dismissal A reason for you to be dismissed from your job, often due to your (negative) behavior

Completely groundless Not based on any good reason

Grounded in fact Something that is based on facts

Come to light To be revealed

Unearthed To find something that was lost or forgotten

A mine of information/gossip/data Someone or something that can provide you with a lot of information etc.

Get to the bottom of Find an explanation, often to a mystery

Digging into To methodically reveal information

To bury the memory To try to hide something, such as a memory, the truth etc.

Emerge Something that is brought to attention

Out in the open In public view or knowledge, everybody knows

Underground scene An alternative culture, different from the mainstream of society and culture

Transparency Something that can be seen by everyone/the public

Crystal clear Perfectly easy to understand

Idiom Meaning

Put your head in the sand To ignore or hide from the obvious signs of danger

Bright spark Someone that is highly intelligent

Enlightenment To understand something completely

Throw light on something To reveal something about someone/something, to clarify something

Dull Something that lacks imagination, boring

Brilliant Shining brightly, stands out, illustrious

In the dark A state of ignorance, to not have knowledge about something

Dim-witted Something/someone that thinks slowly, lacks intelligence

Dark ages When something was not understood, a time when knowledge was limited

Illuminating To make something more understandable

Right-wing A part of a political group that consists of people who support conservative or traditional ideas

Look down upon To view someone or something as unworthy

Side of the fence Refers to either side of opposing views or ideas

Political landscape The current state of things and how they are looking in the future

Look at life How you observe things that happen, your opinion on daily matters

Behind you all the way To fully support someone’s actions

Point of view An opinion on something

 Idiom Meaning

Better perspective A clearer view of something, a more thorough understanding of a situation

Take someone’s side To support one person’s side of an argument

Where I stand Your opinion, point of view

Look up to To respect someone as a role model

Moral high ground The status of being respected, a position of being ‘more’ moral than others

Sitting on the fence Undecided on a decision, avoid making a decision on something

A typical ESL student is both fascinated and frustrated by idioms; they give you fluency but are very hard to use accurately because:

 They may change meaning if you forget or change a single word.

 You must use them in the right context – don’t say ‘he’s kicked the bucket’ (died) at a funeral!
 You can’t translate them into, or from, another language. There is no literal translation.
7 Ways to Make English Idioms and Phrases Easier to
Understand:
1. Listen to context.
Idioms are unusual expressions. So ask yourself ‘Why is that person using an unusual expression?’ The reasons are likely to be
connected with emphasis, exaggeration, or a high state of emotion! So check the context – and the facial expression!

2. Check to see if you understood.

Use expressions like; ‘so you’re pretty angry about that right?’ or ‘OK, you mean that you’re too busy at the moment.’

3. Be honest when you don’t understand.

Try using; ‘I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you mean.’

4. Never translate idioms.

Idioms from your own language may use the same imagery or concepts (and it is always interesting to notice these similarities) but
they are unlikely to translate word-for-word into English expressions.

5. Listen to how native speakers use idioms.

A native English speaker NEVER says ‘it’s raining cats and dogs’ – so why should an ESL student? Listen to what native speakers
actually say in a given situation, and copy.

6. Take notes.
Keep a notebook of your favorite expressions in English and add anything new that you hear. Try to use new expressions soon after
you learn them, this is called ‘use it or lose it.’
7. Tolerate your mistakes.
You will definitely make mistakes and create confusion when you use idiomatic expressions, so be brave and allow yourself the space
to try, fail, and try again.

Learn English Idiomatic Expressions without

Memorizing
Most lists of common English idiomatic expressions I see have 2 things wrong with them. They include a lot of out-dated expressions
that no one actually uses anymore (it’s raining cats and dogs), and they’re really hard to memorize.

Rather than force you to memorize a list of expressions, we’re going to teach you some tricks that will make it easy to understand
English expressions, even if you’ve never heard them before.

Most idiomatic expressions can be divided into a few groups, and these groups have things in common that make them easier to
understand. Below you’ll find these groups, with the English expressions in bold.
English Expressions About Life:
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – so said Lao Tzu, the founder of Chinese Taoism.

When he said these wise words, he wasn’t just offering encouragement to people who had to walk long distances in Zhou Dynasty
China during the 6th BC, but was talking about every kind of journey in life.

The quotation is generally taken to mean that any undertaking in life – even really big ones – must start with small steps, and that we
must not become discouraged by the size of the tasks in front of us. The idea that our tasks, and indeed our lives, can be seen as
physical journeys that can be broken down into steps is common in many languages; English is no exception.

So we might set out on a new career, saunter through life without a care, follow in someone’s footsteps or take a difficult task one
step at a time.

And just as the physical hikes, strolls or walks that we go on require paths or roads, which can be straight or winding, and sometimes
lead to dead ends – so it is with our projects, careers and lives.

This means that some of us want to follow a clear career path, are proud of the milestones we achieve and don’t want to work in
a dead end job. When deciding on a course of action we might find ourselves at a crossroads in life, wondering which way to turn,
hoping we don’t take the road to ruin!
Examples of idiomatic expressions about life:
 He’s put his criminal past behind him – He’s on the straight and narrow now!
 It’s a difficult system to get used to, so let me just walk you through the first few steps.
 We need to come up with a road map to go forward with these negotiations.
 Being selected for the national team was the first major milestone in my career.
 So you want to invest in his business? I wouldn’t go down that road if I were you!
 I feel like I’m at a crossroads in my career and I’m not sure which way to turn.
 I have tried to follow in Dad’s footsteps and to do the right things.
 I suppose I’ve gone down quite a winding career path – I’ve never done things the easy way!
 Holmes had crossed paths with Moriarty several times before and it had never gone well.
 I know I said you should read a bit more, but War and Peace? Don’t run before you can walk!

Please note that we use the imperial system, rather than the modern metric system, to refer to distances in idioms:

 We are just inching forward with this project at a snail’s pace.

 I think I can get good mileage out of this idea.

Notice the way that prepositions are used to imply movement or direction in life:

 He envied his grandchildren having their whole lives in front of them.

 I always try and put failures behind me and get on with my life.

Also, if we are traveling along a road or pathway, we might expect to find obstacles to our progress and have to handle them in some
way:

 We need to tread carefully here because ethnic tensions in the area can be a minefield.
 I don’t know yet what we’ll do if they reject our offer – but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

And please note that idioms involving roads can refer to other things:

 The information superhighway has changed the way we think about the world.
English Expressions About Money:
When Benjamin Franklyn wrote that ‘time is money’ in his Advice to a Young Tradesman in 1746, he meant that time was a
commodity which can be treated the same way that we treat money or any other resource. He was right too, from a linguistic
perspective anyway, as we have long had this attitude towards time within the English language.

Like money, time is something that we save, waste or spend. We praise good time management, we complain that we don’t have
enough time, and we wonder how long our time will last. Let’s look at the way the English language treats the concepts of time and
money.

Examples of English Expressions About Money:

Look at these sentences and decide if you can substitute the word ‘time’ for the word ‘money’ (you may have to make a few extra
changes):

 We will have to go soon – we are getting short of money.

 I have wasted a lot of time on this project.
 We made some changes at work to save money.
 He is determined to make it work – he’s invested so much time in the business already.
 He worked my shift at work for me – so I guess I owe him some time in return.
 I would like to devote more time to keeping the garden in shape.
 This problem has cost us too much money already!
 We are living on borrowed time.
 I thought I gave him enough money – but he seems to have squandered it all!
 She’s always had better money-management skills than me.

In most of the sentences above you can substitute ‘time’ for ‘money’ without a problem. The context may change, but the sentences
themselves still look fine.

Please note that we can replace the actual word ‘time’ with an amount of time – and we can do this with ‘money’ too:
  We spent three weeks there.
 I spent $50 on it.
 It takes half an hour to get there.
 It took $100 to convince him!

English Expressions About Knowledge:

What is the basic unit of knowledge – a fact, a truth, a maxim or a law? Well, from a computing point of view it is called a ‘byte’. In
1956 Werner Buchholz, a computer scientist working at IBM, wanted a term he could use to describe the eight binary digits (bits)
needed to encode a single letter, number or symbol on a computer.
He chose the word ‘byte’ – a deliberate misspelling of the word ‘bite’ – and this term now refers to the basic unit of all the information
held on all computers, everywhere. When he chose this word, Buchholz was (perhaps unknowingly) using a very common, basic and
important idiom in the English language; knowledge (or information) is food.

If you think about it, this idiom is quite easy to understand; information exists in the outside world and must somehow comes
inside us so that we can learn and understand it.

This process of bringing information into ourselves can be thought of as eating. So we might hear a tasty bit of gossip or devour a
newspaper, we may need to add a pinch of salt to unlikely stories, chew over a difficult subject, or digest information – we may
even need to spit information out if required!

Examples of English Expressions about Knowledge:

 He absolutely devours newspapers – he gets about three every morning!
 You have a great appetite for knowledge, and I respect that.
 I won’t give you an answer yet – Let me chew it over for a while.
 Who broke the school window? Come on lad – spit it out!
 I got my dad a subscription to The Reader’s Digest.
 She always exaggerates so if I were you I’d take what she says with a pinch of salt.
 Don’t give them too much information at the start of the course – just bite-sized chunks for now.
 We sat with a bottle by the river ruminating on the meaning of life.
 The exam system is terrible – you just have to regurgitate the textbook, basically.
 Information is food? – I’m not swallowing that!

Please note that idiomatic expressions involving food or eating can express other meanings in English, for example if you bite off
more than you can chew, you try to do too much or more than you are able to do; or if you eat your own words, you retract what
you said earlier:

 He bit off more than he could chew when he agreed to paint the house by himself.
 He’s going to regret saying that – I’m going to make him eat his own words!

Don’t try making a literal translation of those! And choices, for example, have taste:
  I can offer you a couple of tasty options from our new winter collection.
 The delegates are being forced to choose between two unpalatable candidates.

English Expressions About Relationships:

Here is a party game that I used to play with friends and family when I was young (a long time ago!) It involves somebody hiding
something, and somebody else searching for it.

Firstly, I would close my eyes or leave the room. Then someone would hide something, some keys perhaps, in some part of the room.
After this I would be allowed to look for them and the rest of the players could offer encouragement by saying; ‘You’re getting warmer,’
when I approached the hidden object, or; ‘You’re getting colder,’ when I went in the wrong direction.

When I got really close to the hidden keys, some of the younger children would be shouting ‘You’re really hot now – boiling!’ And
finally I would find the keys under a magazine on the coffee table!

The idea that you get warmer when you are closer to something is quite common in English and is particularly strong when applied to
our relationships with each other. Heat is a metaphor for how close we feel to someone else, and how well we think they are treating
us.

Close relationships are ‘warm’, and unfriendly relationships are ‘cold’. This means that if I say that the receptionist at the
hotel greeted me very warmly, you can be sure that she was very friendly and welcoming. Equally, if I tell you that the audience gave
me a frosty reception, you will know that my lecture was not a great success!

So we can say that our relationships and feelings have some sort of ‘linguistic temperature!’

Examples of English Idioms about relationships:

 Hello – and a very warm welcome to the show!
 I tried to explain to her but she just gave me the cold shoulder.
 Perhaps you should cool things off with him for a while.
 I think things are heating up between Dave and Mary!
  She was a very cold-hearted mother who never gave us hugs or praise.
 We have set up a 24-hour hotline for anyone who wants more information.
 Well, that was a very frosty reception – I don’t think we’re very welcome here!
 The cold war was a low point in East-West relations in Europe.
 She liked him immediately; it was the warm smile and the warm handshake.
 I can’t stand these cold callers trying to sell me things I don’t want!

Notice that heat can also describe our relationship to ideas:

 We took the temperature of the group as to whether John would be a suitable replacement for Mark and found that most
people were quite warm to the idea.

English Expressions About Economics

In Hal Ashby’s excellent 1979 comedy ‘Being There’, Peter Sellers plays the part of a simple-minded gardener who accidentally
becomes a top financial adviser in Washington DC.

One of the running jokes in the film is the way that Sellers’ character misunderstands questions about the economy to be questions
about his garden – and how businessmen and television presenters mistake his answers and comments about gardening to be sound
financial advice!

How can this be? Well, in the English language there are many words and expressions that we use in agriculture and gardening that
can also be used to describe the world of economics and business. After all, if a gardener and an economist meet at a party, we can
be sure they’ll agree with each other that encouraging growth is a good idea!

Examples of English Expressions About Economics:

 If you work hard now, you’ll reap the rewards later.
 We needed to prune out the deadwood to make the company more competitive.
 The first stage of the interview process is really just to separate the wheat from the chaff – to discount the applicants who are
definitely unsuitable.
  Our main business is rooted in this sector.
 There have been sharp staff cutbacks since they lost the contract.
 We will have to dig deep if we want this project to succeed.
 There has been great growth over the second quarter.
 The company was in a terrible state – we needed to make root and branch reform.
 We have invested a lot of seed money in this project.
 After the recession we can now see the first bright shoots of recovery, with several new businesses opening around town.

Please note that many of the above phrases can be used in other contexts; for example, ‘dig deep’ simply means ‘try harder’ and can
be used in any situation where more effort is required;

 Liverpool are going to have to dig deep here if they are going to win this match.

Also, some agricultural idioms can be used in non-business contexts:

 The entire university should act as one on this issue, rather than each department trying to plough its own furrow.

And some gardening idioms don’t seem to transfer to other contexts:

 I’ve killed every plant I’ve ever owned. But she has got really green fingers, you should see her garden – it’s beautiful!

Ok, that should really help you with business English.

English Expressions About Opinions
‘The wise man builds his house on the rock,’ – so goes the traditional saying (it’s loosely based on Matthew 7:24-27 in the Bible), but
while it is certainly wise to build a house on solid ground, and with the proper materials, this saying is generally taken to be about the
foundations of our beliefs.

In fact there has always been a close link between buildings and beliefs; for example, the word ‘church’ originally referred to a group of
people who worshipped together (now more commonly called a ‘congregation’), the teachings and philosophy they followed, and the
physical building that they used.

Keeping this mind (and checking your dictionary for details) it won’t be surprising for you to find that the word ‘edifice’ refers to an
important or imposing building (like a church), ‘edification’ means ‘moral improvement’ and ‘edified’ means ‘educated’ or ‘informed’.
This idiom now has a wider use in the English language so that an idiomatic phrase mentioning construction or foundation can refer to
knowledge and ideas generally. So ideas and theories should be grounded in fact or based on truth, an argument should have
a clear structure; we can deconstruct a complex idea in order to explain it, or even demolish ideas which we strongly disagree
with.

English Expressions About Knowledge:

 With so much supporting evidence, the police can build a good case for conviction.
 He is such an unreliable witness – his entire testimony was a fabrication of lies and half-truths.
 I feel like I am on pretty solid ground when I’m talking about my thesis.
 Our products are strong on reliability and we can build on this foundation in the future.
 His essay was terrible – there was no structure to the argument.
 His reputation has been completely shattered by these baseless accusations.
 If she is taking bribes, it completely undermines her position on corruption.
 She won the debate easily – she just demolished their arguments!
 I welcome any constructive criticisms of my work.

‘Ground’ is the most commonly used word in this context:

 Being rude to customers is grounds for dismissal.

 These allegations are completely groundless and are just intended to disrupt our preparations for the Games.
 Is any of this grounded in fact?

English Expressions About Truth:

In Steven Spielberg’s excellent 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones must find the Ark of the Covenant.

This was a kind of box which was supposed to contain the 10 commandments that were given to Moses. There’s something symbolic
in this – if you consider that the commandments represent some kind of universal truth or wisdom, then perhaps you can see the
search for the covenant as a search for truth.
I used to work as an archaeologist and watching this excellent movie was more or less compulsory for us ‘diggers’ at the time – we
used to joke that Indy was searching for truth itself and that an archaeologist was the ideal person to choose for a search for truth and
wisdom!

But you don’t need to get your hands dirty to unearth interesting information, because in the English language, any kind of discovery
can be made under the ground.

It often seems that an investigation is an excavation: information may be hidden from us, perhaps buried deep somewhere; it needs to
be dug around for, and finally brought to light.

English Expressions About Truth:

 I want you to dig deep into your memories and think about your first day at school.
 The Police have reopened the case after new evidence came to light.
 I’ve been working in the archives for the last few months and have unearthed some interesting stories about him.
 Ask Mary – she’s a mine of information on the subject!
 They have started an investigation and hope to get to the bottom of the problem soon.
 I don’t want the newspapers digging into my private life.
 She had tried to bury the memory of it for years.
 New developments in the scandal emerged over the weekend.
 I think we need to get things out in the open and talk about them honestly.
 The city is home to a vibrant underground music scene.

When a meaning is obvious and easy to understand we use a reversal of the idiom:

 We need new financial transparency regulations.

 I understand you – your message is crystal clear.

Interestingly, if we have an exam to prepare for or a bill to pay, many of us adopt a very interesting strategy – often called the ‘Ostrich
method!‘

 This is no way to run a company – whenever there’s a problem you just put your head in the sand and hope it will go away!
English Expressions About Intelligence
Imagine that you are in a college lecture and that your teacher is trying to explain something that the class have been having difficulty
with. Maybe a tough equation, a difficult moral problem or a poem that nobody understands.

Finally the teacher shows, proves or says something that finally makes everybody understand; everything now makes sense! Around
the room, people nod in agreement; some raise their eyebrows and smile; the mood in the room lifts – as if some new bright light is
now shining.

This is called a ‘light-bulb moment’ and it’s the moment when we conceive or understand a (usually good) idea for the first time. It’s
quite a common idiomatic expression; The Oxford Dictionary defines it as ‘A moment of sudden realization, enlightenment, or
inspiration’ and it is a powerful image.
For example, we often see cartoon characters with light-bulbs above their heads when they have a new idea, or come to understand
something.

The idea that understanding (and, as we will see, intelligence) can be expressed as light is very common in English; people
have bright, ideas, become brilliant scholars, shine a light on things when they explain them, and achieve enlightenment.

This idiom also works in reverse; in English, darkness often refers to different types of ignorance. We get kept in the dark when
people don’t tell us a secret; we make dim-witted mistakes, and we walk out of dull movies.

Examples of English Expressions about Intelligence:

 John came top of his class in all of his tests again – he’s a real bright spark!
 People come from all over the world to find enlightenment at the meditation centre.
 The recent discovery of King Richard’s body has thrown light on his actual cause of death.
 This film is really dull – when is something interesting going to happen?
 He was always a brilliant student and it was no surprise when he won the scholarship.
 New evidence has recently come to light that could lead to further charges in the case.
 Let’s keep Sarah in the dark about it for now – she loves a good surprise.
 I think that his political supporters are pretty dim-witted, they don’t seem to know much about the world.
 These kinds of injuries were more common back in the Dark Ages of NFL concussion awareness.
 Well that was a very illuminating lecture – I think I really get it now!

English Expressions About Opinions

What is a political map and why might we need one? In some countries there seem to be so many different political parties and points
of view that things can become rather confusing for voters at election time – so maybe some kind of map would be useful.

But why a map – why not a list, or a diagram?

Perhaps the reason is that we imagine a political landscape where people stand in particular places that indicate their opinions on
particular issues. For example, in most democratic parliaments the political parties sit together in particular parts of the room that they
meet in.

The prime minister sits in a seat at the front of his grouping with his supporters behind him and with the opposition politicians sitting
opposite. The minor parties usually sit according to whether they support the government or not – which side they are on. This is why
we can talk about right – or left-wing politics, and how we can take a position on an issue, stand behind someone we agree with, or
change sides in an argument.

Interestingly, if I express my opinion by standing in a particular location then this will effect what I can see, what my view of the world
is. So I can see things differently from other people, have a positive outlook, look up to – or down on people, or describe
my point of view of a situation or issue.

Examples of English Expressions About Opinions:

 I don’t want him to come to dinner – he has very right-wing views.
 I think the royal family look down on us all.
 How are things on your side of the political fence?
 There has always been a complex political landscape in the country.
 Artists and musicians often look at life in new and interesting ways.
 We’ll give you all the support you need – we’re behind you all the way.
 From my point of view, I think that it’s a very good deal.
 We need more information to give us a better perspective of this situation.
 It’s not fair – whenever there’s an argument you always take his side!

Notice that ‘stand’ can be used in both senses:

 From where I stand it looks like the economy is going nowhere.

 Where do you stand on nuclear energy?

Perhaps it’s not surprising to note that altitude affects morals:

  I’ve always looked up to my Mum; she’s been an inspiration to me.
 I think we hold the moral high ground on this issue.

Also, the two sides of an argument are often separated by some kind of barrier:

 He’s always sitting on the fence whenever there’s an argument.

Whether your an ESL student, teacher or just someone curious about the language, we hope you found that helpful! If you keep these
concepts in mind, English idiomatic expressions should be easy for you.

If you’ve got any questions, feel free to add them in comments and we’ll respond. If you want to take your English further, try a live,
online English class with LOI.

Introductions
I’m so pleased to meet you – have you just been introduced to a new person and you want to tell them how nice it is
meeting them? Well, this is just the right phrase to use on such an occasion!
I’ve heard so much about you – in case the person you’re being introduced to is well known, this is just the right
English small talk phrase to tell them during the introduction!
It’s good to have you here! – sometimes you may want to make the new person feel welcome at the party or event,
so this is what you tell them to make them feel included.

I’d like you to meet someone! – this is a typical way of introducing a new person to one or more people.

I am indeed! And you must be… – when someone else approaches you and calls you by your name, and you’re
pretty sure who that person is, this is the right English small talk phrase to use: “Hello, is it Mark?” – “I am indeed! And
you must be James!?”

I’ll leave you two to get acquainted! – if you have to leave two people you just introduced to each other, this is the
perfect phrase for such a situation.
Please, call me… – a few minutes into the conversation with a new person you may want to lighten up the mood by
giving the other person a permission to call you by your name or a more friendly version of your name: “And by the way
Michael…” – “Please, call me Mike!”

I almost didn’t recognize you! – sometimes we get to see people we haven’t seen for a long, long time – and this
English small talk phrase is the typical way of expressing your excitement at seeing them again.

Have we met before? – in case you really don’t recognize the person saying hello to you, you can use this phrase to
ask them if you’ve met before. Yes, it’s a bit awkward, but there’s really no better way of putting it!

It’s good to see you again! – this is how you recognize the presence of an old friend or acquaintance when you meet
them after a while.

TAKE ACTION! Are you willing to start working on your spoken English but you just don’t know where
to start? START HERE!
 Conversation Starters & Greetings (UPDATED!)
New! Hi, I’m …. . What brings you here? – this is an effective way to start a conversation with someone you meet
an event, and allows you start a discussion about why you are there.
New! Hi, I’m …. . Are you the first time here? – if you are the first time at an event you can use this phrase to
start a conversation and also see if the other person is also the first time there or he/she has already been there and can
give you information about the last time.
New! Hi, I’m …. . I wanted to introduce myself. – this is straight forward way to introduce yourself and start a
conversation.
I was wondering if – this is a beautiful way to strike up a conversation with someone you might know, yet you
haven’t spoken to them too often. Typically it would be some occasion when you get to meet your work colleagues and
talk about something else other than work-related matters!
Sorry to bother you – this starter phrase is pretty universal and can be used in a lot of situations – ranging from
chatting up strangers on the street when asking for directions and ending with addressing a busy co-worker when
approaching them for advice!
Excuse me, would you happen to know – this is another one of those phrases you can use when asking people for
advice in pretty much any life situation – be it when trying to find the nearest grocery shop or when navigating a new
building you’re visiting for the first time.
What you been up to lately? – this is a great English small talk phrase used to inquire what the other person has
been doing lately. You’ll probably notice that there’s something wrong with the way the sentence is constructed – it
should really say “What HAVE you been up to lately?” – but guess what? It’s typical to leave out words in spoken
English, and as a matter of fact, when you speak in real life, this phrase sounds more like “Watch you bin up to lately?”
Try it – and you’ll realize that you sound WAY MORE native-like this way! By the way – are you interested in sounding
like a native English speaker? Then check out the Accent Genie Program HERE!
How are you getting on? – just another way of saying ‘how are you?’
You doing OK? – asked when the person has had some tough experience recently and you want to ask politely if
they’re OK.

Hi, …! What’s new? – this is a very informal way of greeting a close friend or anyone who you see on a regular basis
and you want to ask has anything happened since you last met.

Hi, …! What’s up? – the same as above with a difference that you’re probably not that interested in what news the
other person might have.

Hi, …! Long time no see! – used when you haven’t seen the person for a long period of time and you want to state
that fact in the greeting.

Hi, …! Have you been keeping busy? – just a standard enquiry with little or no direct meaning.

Do you mind me asking…? – a typical way of asking something that might be a slightly personal question.
OK, here’s the thing … – a very handy way to start making your point if you’re not sure how to begin the sentence.

Is everything OK? – this is what you’d say to a person when you see that they’re distressed and obviously not OK.
Normally you’d ask this to a close friend or a work colleague – but you can also say this to a stranger you meet in the
street and if it’s obvious that that person needs help.

ENTERTAINMENT: Take a couple minutes to to this test and see how English vocabulary can be learnt
the super-easy way!

Event Small Talk (New!)

You can use this phrases in networking events or other kind of events.

New! How did you hear about this event? – this helps getting a conversation started with something you both
have in common.
New! What a great place for an event! – a great way to start a discussion about the event location.
New! Are you from here? – if you are not from the city of the event, or you suppose your conversation partner is not,
this is a good way to exchange some more information.
New! What are you doing [in your work – if it is not a work related event]? – ask what the other persons job is.
New! Have you met … ? – in this way you can introduce someone else into the conversation.

Typical Responses
Thanks, I’ve been keeping busy – just a standard response to a standard greeting with little or no direct meaning.
Thanks for asking, I’m fine, how are you? – a typical response and counter-question to a greeting phrase ‘how are
you?’

Sorry, I didn’t catch that? – the verb “to catch” in this context means “to understand”, so this English small talk
response phrase means “Sorry, I didn’t understand what you just said?” – it’s just that in conversational English we use
these type of slang words to make it sound friendlier and easier to understand!

Help yourself! – this English small talk phrase is one of the traditional phrases you’ll find in all English phrase-books,
and it’s an encouraging phrase used to let the other person know that they can go ahead with the action in question.
Typically this is used as a response when the other person is asking for permission to take something, and then you tell
them that they can certainly do it: “Sorry, do you mind if I take this cookie? Everyone seems to have taken theirs…” –
“Sure, help yourself!”

Where were we? – imagine a situation when you’re speaking with someone, and then somehow you’re getting side-
tracked and you veer off the original subject, or it could be that some other person distracts you and you forget where
you left off. Now, this is the typical phrase to be used in situations like these – you’re basically asking your conversation
partner what it was that you were talking about last.

How’s that sound for you? – let’s say for argument’s sake, you’re proposing something to your conversation partner.
Well, in this case this small talk phrase is ideal to ask for their opinion on your proposal! Here’s an example: “Listen, I
know what we’re doing tonight. Let’s go to the movies, there’s a new blockbuster out! How’s that sound for you?”

…if that’s alright with you? – you can attach this small talk bit at the end of your sentence to ask for the other
person’s permission. Let’s imagine for a second you’re telling your work colleague you have to leave your desk for a few
minutes, but you just want to be sure he’s OK with that. So here’s what you say “Listen Jimmy, I’m gonna leave my desk
for a few minutes to make a really important phone call if that’s alright with you?”

Hi, how are you doing? It’s good to see you! – a typical response to a greeting from someone you haven’t seen for
a while.

Can’t complain – a response to a standard greeting like ‘How are you?’ It’s not as exciting phrase as ‘Thanks, I’m
great!’ but it doesn’t mean you’re having some problems in your life.
Can you say it again, please? – a request to repeat the question if you didn’t understand what was said. This can
also be used when the native speaking person speaks a bit too fast – they should get the hint and slow down a bit. But if
they don’t, you can ask a more direct question:

Can you slow it down a bit, please?

And how about you? – a typical response when you’re not sure what to ask next so you’re asking the other person the
same think they asked you. You can respond with this counter-greeting on nearly all standard greetings.

To the best of my knowledge … – when you’re 99% sure about the statement you’re making. Also a good start of a
response you want to take a bit more time to consider what you’re going to say.

As far as I know … – the same as above.

Good for you! – a response to someone telling you about their success in something or some good news that they’re
happy about.

Can’t argue with that – used when you agree with the statement of the other person.

How do you know? – a counter-question you can ask when someone surprises you with a question about something
they’re not really expected to know.

That’s a good one! – a surprise response to funny or surprising news from your chat partner.

Really? Tell me more about it! – used when you want your chat partner to tell me about what he/she just said.

Frankly speaking, … – just a way to start your response. It indicates that you’re about to open up and be very honest
with your chat partner. A great way of establishing an immediate trust.

Well, to be honest with you, … – the same as above.

Sure, no problem! – a typical response to a small request you’re happy to do. This one is especially used when
responding to superiors’ requests and it sounds more enthusiastic than if you simply say ‘sure’ or ‘OK’.

Never mind, it’s fine! – this phrase is used when the person offers to do a favour for you but it’s not really necessary.

Never mind, forget what I just said – this phrase is to be used when you said something that wasn’t important at
all but your chat partner wants you to repeat it. You can also use this phrase if you feel that he/she might be slightly
annoyed or offended by your question or comment so you want to end it there.

You got me there – this can be said instead of ‘I don’t’ know’ – it will sound more casual and not as defensive as the
old ‘I don’t know’!

You’ve got to be kidding me! – said when someone tells you something that borders on the unbelievable and you
want to express your surprise.

That’s a good question. – a phrase used when you want to take your time to think over the question. This is an ideal
phrase to use when you’re stuck but instead of remaining silent you can start your response with this phrase.

Well, how to put it in the right words… – the same as above.

That’d be great! – a response to an offer that you’re really happy about.

… you know what I mean? – this is quite an overused phrase but you can definitely use it at the end of a sentence if
you want to emphasize what you just said.

You see, the thing is that … – this is how you begin a sentence when you’re asked to explain something.

SHOCKING! Did You Know That You Don’t Have to Know a SINGLE Grammar Rule to Speak Fluent
English?
Industry & Office Small-talk
Another day! – this is just a short phrase you can use to start your working day with. It doesn’t necessarily mean your
job is boring; it merely states the fact that you all have a brand new working day ahead.

Nose to the grindstone! – this one is a typical English idiom, and it means to start working hard and be 100%
focused on what you’re doing. Typically you’d use this one at the end of a conversation as a way of indicating you’re
going back to your work-related duties.

(Company name), (Your Name) speaking, how can I help you? – if you’re working in a company’s helpdesk
answering phone, this is the most common line you’ll be using in your daily work! So basically you substitute
information in the brackets with your own credentials, something like this: “ABC Recruitment, Marie speaking, how
can I help you?”

Sorry for keeping you waiting! – and this is what you say to someone who’s been waiting for a while on the line
while you’ve been trying to get through to the right person.
I’ll be with you in a minute… – this English small talk phrase will come in handy if you’re working as a receptionist,
for example, and you have to leave the client for a short period of time while you’re looking up relevant information in
another room or finding the right person to deal with the client’s query.

Just bear with me for a moment… – this is just another way of telling the client that you’ll be with them in a short
while. In this context to “bear with me” simply means to be patient with the fact that I’ll be gone, simple as that!

Leave it with me! – if you want to tell the customer that they can leave the matters with you and that you’re going to
deal with the issue, this is the right English small talk phrase to use.

How was your weekend? – you can use this small-talk greeting to inquire about the person’s weekend and it’s a
typical small-talk phrase you’d hear on a Monday morning.

Anything new going on? – again, a typical phrase to be used when coming into work – especially after a weekend or
a few days off.

The boss is in a mood… – you can use this small-talk phrase to let your colleagues know your boss is in a bad mood
and it’s best to steer clear to avoid trouble. Please note you don’t even have to say “in a BAD mood”; the word “mood”
says it all just on its own.

All work and no play! – this is another English idiom and you can use it when having a conversation about going out
and taking some rest. Here’s a typical sentence: “Hey Jim, why not go out tonight, we’ve been working so hard – all
work and no play!”

Better keep the head down today – this English idiomatic expression comes in handy when you need to advise
someone to stay quiet and avoid problems. Maybe it’s because that person’s been out drinking the night before, maybe
it’s because they’ve been giving others hard time and the boss is after them – there are many situations when this small-
talk phrase can be used!

Thank heavens it’s Friday – quite obviously you’ll be using this English small talk phrase when greeting your work
colleagues on a Friday morning – as we all know, Fridays are the most awaited days of the week, and everybody’s
looking forward to the weekend ahead!
You working the weekend? – in case you’re doing shift work, this is a handy phrase to use when asking your
colleague if she or he is going to work during the weekend.

Are you working hours in? – let’s say, for argument’s sake, you notice someone staying at work longer than
normally, so you want to inquire for the reason they’re doing this. Your best guess is that the person in question has
taken some extra time off work, so you want to ask them if they’re working those hours in now. Well, this is the perfect
phrase for the occasion!

I’m tired – I got no sleep last night – I guess this phrase is pretty self-explanatory, isn’t it?

Had a few drinks so I’m flying under the radar! – if you went out the night before, it’s totally understandable
you’ll want to stay put and keep a low profile in case someone from the management realizes you’re not fully capable of
fulfilling your work related duties!

Can you cover me? – this is a typical way of asking someone if they can work in your place while you’re taking a
couple of hours off work to deal with your personal stuff.

It’s so boring! – this is quite a self-explanatory phrase to be used whenever you’re bored. It can be used as a handy
conversation starter if there’s another person nearby doing the same job – if they also look bored you can simply
exclaim “It’s so boring!” and see if they respond to that.

Wish I had her job! – if someone else’s job looks better than yours, you can use this English small talk phrase to
either start a conversation or respond to someone else making a remark about how easy it is for that person compared
to the situation that you’re in.

We’re not paid enough! – if you think you’re not remunerated adequately (show me an employee who thinks he’s
getting paid enough!), here’s a phrase to be used when you’re having a small talk with some colleague of yours and you
have to express your opinion in relation to the small wages.
That’s one job I wouldn’t do! – this is how you refer to a job you definitely wouldn’t be willing to do no matter who
asks you to do it. But then again – everything has a price, isn’t that right?

That’s a cushy number! – English idiomatic expression “cushy number” means a very comfortable and easy job. So
when you’re seeing someone sitting around all day doing nothing, you can tell your friend “That’s a cushy number!”
meaning that the job in question is really easy.

I don’t know how he got that job! – there’s always someone in the company who doesn’t know what they’re doing
and you often wonder how they got the job in the first place, right? So, next time around when you make a comment
about such a person when having a small talk with someone, you can use this phrase.

INTERESTING! Find Out Why So Many Foreigners CAN’T Speak Fluent English!

Departure Phrases (UPDATED!)

NEW! It’s time for me to head out. – this is a polite way to let your conversation partner know that you have to go
and have to finish the conversation.
And just before I go – this is something that you can say just before you’re leaving. Typically this would be a situation
when you just thought of something else to say: “Oh yes, and just before I go – can you please remind Charlie to drop
by and collect his stuff?”
We’ll catch up later! – if you’re saying goodbye to a very close friend or an acquaintance, this phrase is just what you
need!
Be back in a minute – this is kind of a departure phrase, yet at the same time you’re letting others know that you’re
going to be back. Please notice that you don’t have to say “I’ll be back in a minute” – conversationally it’s totally OK just
to say “Be back in a minute!”
I’d better be going – followed by a simple phrase like ‘it’s too late’, or ‘have lots to do’ – and indicator you’d like to
walk off and finish the conversation.
I really gotta go – this is the least formal way of telling someone that you definitely have to leave now. This is the best
way of two friends, for example, finishing a conversation and personally I use this phrase quite often!

OK, I’m sorry but I have to leave now! – used when your chat partner has clear intentions of continuing the
conversation but you just need to go so you’re making it clear that you need to go.

See you later! – used when you know that you’ll be seeing each other again sometime.

See you around! – the same as above

See you in a couple of minutes! – this phrase is typically used when you’re leaving the other person for a short
while during an event, for example.

Keep in touch! – a good-bye phrase meaning you want the other person to get in touch with you every now and then
and that you’ve the same intentions.
It was nice seeing you, take care! – a good-bye phrase used when you know that you won’t see the person for a
while.

It’s been good talking to you! – the same as above phrase.

Hope to see you again! – you can use this phrase when finishing a conversation with someone you’ve just met.

Say hello to …! – a short and handy way of saying to remind someone from you.

Now You’ve Finished Reading this List… What’s Next?

You’re pretty excited having found my blog and especially this list of English small-talk phrases, isn’t that right?

There’s one small problem though…

The chances are, you’re going to forget MOST of these phrases within a matter of hours, and next week you’ll be
lucky to remember ANY of them!

Please don’t get me wrong – I’m not trying to insult your intelligence and imply that you have bad memory. It’s
NATURAL to forget all kinds of information after just one exposure; it’s just human nature.

So I guess it poses the next logical question – “How to make sure you can actually use such and similar phrases in
YOUR daily conversations with work colleagues, college friends and people you meet?”

Here’s the Most Effective Way to Learn These Small Talk Phrases…
The best way of imprinting these small talk phrases into your mind is by utilizing spaced repetition. It might sound very
technical, while in fact it simply means you have to repeat and memorize a phrase a number of times over a certain
period of time.

1. Repeat each phrase three times.

2. Then do it once more tomorrow.
3. Go back to it after a longer period of time – say, a week or two.

This spaced repetition principle ensures that the small talk phrases you’re memorizing REMAIN in your ACTIVE
vocabulary. It basically means you’ll be able to USE those phrases in relevant situations, and that’s definitely what you
want, isn’t it?

I’ve Got Great News For You!

What if I told you I’ve compiled 1350 similar phrases and expressions and also made it SUPER-EASY
for you to memorize them using the spaced repetition technique?

Wouldn’t that be cool?

Believe it or not – but I’ve done just that, and here you can check out my unique software stuffed full of English
small talk and many other phrases! It’s called the English Harmony System, and here are its main benefits ANY
upper-intermediate and advanced foreign English student can avail of:

 EH System imprints natural English phrases into your mind;

 EH System makes sure you stop preparing speech in your head;
 You develop ability to speak instinctively and spontaneously

So, do you want to develop your ability to speak FLUENTLY and use all these and MANY MORE English phrases,
expressions and idioms just like NATIVE English speakers do?

Then make sure to check out the English Harmony System RIGHT NOW!

Fixed expressions in everyday conversations and writing.

4 settembre 2011 alle ore 00:02
English uses a number of fixed expressions in everyday conversations and writing
For example:
I'm going to go come rain or come shine.
To tell you the truth, I don't enjoy going to parties.
The following quiz provides a number of fixed expressions. Each fixed expression has one or two wrong word(s) in it. Find the word(s), write it(them) down, and then
check the answers page to see if you are right. To help you integrate these expressions when you speak English, see if you can translate the expressions into your own
language. Once you have translated the phrases, think of ways that you would use them in your language and try to translate back into English.
Fixed Expressions Quiz
* I'm afraid that's never come into my mind.
* He's so happy as a clam since he met Linda.
* You decide. It's up for you.
* Could you put in a good sentence for me with the boss?
* What of the world do you mean?
* She's so very pleased of her new car.
* I can assure you that it is a happiness to deal with you.
* Jack feels very strong about the need for a new park in town.
* It has showed to our attention that your daughter has missed five classes.
* I'd like to thank you for behalf of our company.
* That listens like a wonderful opportunity!
* He's got mixed feelings with his new school.
* I'm sorry. I didn't keep that. What did you say?
* Thank you as much for inviting me to the party!
* Could you hold up a moment, please?

Each mistake is in bold with the correct word following in italics.

* I'm afraid that's never come into entered my mind.

* He's so as happy as a clam since he met Linda.
* You decide. It's up for to you.
* Could you put in a good sentence word for me with the boss?
* What ofin the world do you mean?
* She's so very pleased of with her new car.
* I can assure you that it is a happiness pleasure to deal with you.
* Jack feels very strong strongly about the need for a new park in town.
* It has showed come to our attention that your daughter has missed five classes.
* I'd like to thank you for on behalf of our company.
* That listens sounds like a wonderful opportunity!
* He's got mixed feelings with about his new school.
* I'm sorry. I didn't keep catch that. What did you say?
* Thank you asso much for inviting me to the party!
* Could you hold upon a moment, please?

Useful North American Idioms List (Intermediate to Advanced)

Useful Idioms for Lower-Intermediate to Advanced Students (Teacher’s Resource)
*New*: Download the Essential North American Idioms App on Google Play !

My students often tell me that they want to learn idioms. But, in the past, I always found it difficult to find a list of idioms/phrases that was general enough
to be useful for everyone. So, I finally broke down and made my own idiom and phrases list. Below is the result of hours of idiom compilation and writing.

Item example:

off the top of your head He asked me to tell him a joke, but I couldn’t think of one off the top of my head.

The online list contains definitions. However, I did not provide idiom definitions in the downloadable list two reasons. Firstly, students are more
interested when they can try to figure out the idiomatic expression and guess its meaning by themselves. I tried to provide enough context for this in my
examples. Secondly, you, the teacher, will be there to define the expression if need be. You need to prove your use somehow :)

Notes:
 I am North American, so naturally, this list contains idioms that are most familiar to English speakers in North America.
 There are approximately 195 idioms, totaling 11 printed pages. Don’t try to teach them all right away! Progress slowly, and finish them off page-
by-page over the course of six months or so.
 It’s difficult to divide idioms into difficulty levels. I tried to begin the list with the easiest/most common expressions and then finish it with slightly
more specific/advanced idioms. Many of the idioms on the last few pages are work-related.

Advice
 Maybe save 15 minutes of class to study idioms. Don’t spend a whole class on idioms.
 Only cover 7-8 idioms with your students (you don’t have to do a whole page) or they won’t remember them well.
 Always review the idioms you studied in the previous class. Here is a good warm-up activity (requiring pictures) to review them.
 After you have taught 10 or so idioms, do this role-play activity to give your students a chance to use the expressions in conversation.

The Barton Idiom Quiz

All of these idioms can be studied in a game! Visit the Barton Idiom Quiz to test your idiom knowledge.

The Essential North American Idioms App! (For Android)

Now you can study 100 of below idioms on your Android mobile device! Visit the Google Play store to download the app for free. The app has 100 of the
most useful North American idioms (taken from the list below), grouped into 10 levels based on difficulty (intermediate, upper-intermediate, advanced).

In the application, you can do the following:

• view idioms
• match idioms to definitions
• match idioms with examples
• write the correct idiom that fits in an example sentence

Give it a try and let me know your feedback!

The Idiom List

Download the complete list: EC-Idioms-Intermediate-Advanced (DOC)
(note: “sth” = something, “sb” = somebody)

A: Do you know April O’Neil?

B: Hmm. Maybe. That name rings a bell.

ring a bell Definition

On the one hand, Peter’s roommate is kind. On the other hand, he’s quite messy.

on the one hand / on the other hand Definition

I tried to keep an open mind about Allan even though I’d heard some bad things about him.

have/keep an open mind Definition

His name was on the tip of my tongue… but I couldn’t remember it.

on the tip of your tongue Definition

Tyler was too hung-over from last night’s party to go to work.

a hangover (noun) / hung-over (adj) Definition

Let’s meet around 4ish.

~ish Definition

I’m fed up with my neighbour’s dog.

fed up Definition

Big deal! It takes you 15 minutes to walk to school? Big deal!

 Definition

My dad gave me a hand with my homework.

Give sb a hand Definition

It was going to be a surprise party, until Todd let the cat out of the bag.

Definition

let the cat out of the bag = told the secret so other people found out too early

If you think you can make the team, then give it a shot.

give it a shot Definition

A: George, I’m pregnant.

B: No way!

Definition

No way! = similar to “that can’t be possible!” / “I don’t believe you!”

A: Can I invite my brother?

B: Sure. The more the merrier.

The more the merrier. Definition

Even though I lost the race, I gave it my all.

give it your all Definition

 I saw the accident happen, first-hand.

first-hand Definition

Let’s not take this path. It leads to a dead end.

a dead end Definition

Time flies when you’re having fun.

time flies Definition

“You have 6 brothers? You’re pulling my leg!”

pull sb’s leg Definition

When Dana has something on her mind, she likes to go for a long walk by herself.

have sth on your mind Definition

I use my watch to keep track of time.

keep track Definition

My aunt made the cake from scratch.

from scratch Definition

He asked me to tell him a joke, but I couldn’t think of one off the top of my head.

off the top of your head Definition

 The boy learned his lesson. He’ll never play with fire again.

learn your lesson Definition

The professor told his students to keep in mind that they only have 50 minutes to complete the test.

keep/bear in mind Definition

Timmy was afraid to speak his mind in front of his schoolmates.

speak your mind Definition

It rained on my only day off. Just my luck!

Just my luck! Definition

Why don’t you make a simple website for your business? There’s nothing to it.

There’s nothing to it. Definition

The house party got out of hand, so we had to call the police.

get out of hand Definition

To cut a long story short, Lisa and I have had some interesting experiences together.

cut a long story short Definition

The test was a piece of cake. I finished it in 20 minutes.

a piece of cake Definition

 At the start of the meeting, Mike tried to break the ice by telling a joke.

break the ice Definition

I went out of my way to help Jenny find an apartment, and she didn’t even say thanks!

go out of your way to do sth Definition

The thought never even crossed my mind.

cross your mind Definition

I don’t like being in the car with Gary. He has difficulty controlling his road rage.

road rage Definition

The old man went on about his school days for nearly an hour.

go on about Definition

I was going to return the library books today after work, but the thought slipped my mind.

slip your mind Definition

The baby threw a fit when I took his toy away.

Definition

have/throw a fit = to get angry and begin acting like an angry child

The ball is in their court now. Let’s wait for their decision.

The ball is in your court Definition

 Finding a fifty-dollar bill on the ground made my day.

make your day Definition

Six dollars for a cup of coffee?! What a rip off!

Definition

a rip off / to rip sb off = sth very over-priced

I get a kick out of reading science fiction novels.

get a kick out of sth Definition

The bright advertisement caught my eye.

catch sb’s eye Definition

I jumped the gun and asked Gail to marry me. She said she wasn’t sure what to say.

jump the gun Definition

The angry worker gave his boss a piece of his mind.

give sb a piece of your mind Definition

Kate crossed her fingers and hoped it wouldn’t rain on her wedding day.

cross your fingers Definition

The designer handbag cost her an arm and a leg.

cost (sb) an arm and a leg Definition

 Ken was in hot water about forgetting his wedding anniversary.

be in hot water Definition

Susan is really in a bind. She has two essays due tomorrow and she hasn’t started either of them.

in a bind Definition

The film on global warming was a real eye-opener for Tom.

an eye-opener Definition

Ted plays squash when he needs to let off steam.

let off steam Definition

You can figure out the author’s opinion by reading between the lines.

read between the lines Definition

We went all out and booked a five-star hotel for our trip.

go all out Definition

Mark’s comment was out of line. He shouldn’t have said that to a client.

out of line Definition

My manager is on my back about being at work on time.

be on sb’s back Definition

 I wouldn’t be seen dead wearing an ugly dress like that.

would not be seen/caught dead Definition

Larry has mixed feelings about his new job.

have mixed feelings Definition

When asked for her postal code, Amy drew a blank.

draw a blank Definition

A: Daddy, can I have anything on the menu?

B: Sure. You name it, you got it.

You name it. Definition

Jim has been a mechanic for 20 years. He really knows his stuff.

know your stuff Definition

Businesses were closing in town left, right and centre.

left, right and centre Definition

After seeing a mouse on the floor, I had a change of heart about eating at the restaurant.

a change of heart Definition

Peter told his boss that he wouldn’t quit. He’s in it for the long haul.

a long haul Definition

 George was the only one man enough to admit he had made a mistake.

be man enough Definition

The apple pie at this restaurant is second to none.

be second to none Definition

It took me a month to learn the ropes at my new job.

know/learn the ropes Definition

The new employee, Gail, is a breath of fresh air in the office.

a breath of fresh air Definition

The coach told me that if I didn’t get my act together, I’d be kicked off the team.

get your act together Definition

Eric has his heart set on participating in the Olympics.

set your heart on sth Definition

Keith took it for granted that his girlfriend would always stay with him. Then, one day, she was gone.

take sb/sth for granted Definition

A: How long will you stay in Australia?

B: I’m not sure. I’m just going to play it by ear.

play it by ear Definition

 Greg invested his money in a few different areas. He didn’t want to put all his eggs in one basket.

put all your eggs in one basket Definition

A: It’s funny that all of Kate’s friends are attractive.

B: So is she. I guess birds of a feather flock together.

Birds of a feather (flock together) Definition

I’m starting to have second thoughts about my new apartment.

have second thoughts Definition

Don’t touch my stuff. If you do, you’ll pay the price.

pay the price for sth Definition

Darryl’s ex-wife is a total basket case.

a basket case Definition

We arrived at 8 o’clock on the dot.

on the dot Definition

I don’t have a clue where Nunavut is.

not have a clue Definition

Our team has a shot at winning the championship.

have a shot at Definition

 It took only an hour for word to spread around the office that John had been fired.

the word spread Definition

I arrived home from my trip safe and sound.

safe and sound Definition

My brother is a real pain in the neck sometimes.

be a pain (in the neck) Definition

The governments of Portugal and Greece are in the same boat. They both need financial assistance.

be in the same boat Definition

After two years, James felt at home in Prague.

be/feel at home Definition

Ryan is not in his father’s good books right now because he scratched his car.

be in sb’s good books Definition

I’d avoid talking with Bob today. He must’ve got out of bed on the wrong side.

get out of bed on the wrong side Definition

Roger is an up-and-coming hockey player from Toronto.

up-and-coming Definition
 You’d better get into gear or you’ll be late.

get into gear Definition

One day, out of the blue, I received a letter from my former schoolmate.

out of the blue Definition

In a TV interview, the politician set the record straight about his experiences in the military.

set the record straight Definition

The security guard kept an eye on the suspicious man.

keep an eye on Definition

Because of a grey area in his job description, Peter was not exactly sure what all of his responsibilities were.

a grey area Definition

Luckily for her, the policeman let Jane off the hook for parking her car in a no-parking zone.

get/let sb off the hook Definition

Jim was happy when his ex-girlfriend moved out of his apartment — out of sight, out of mind.

out of sight, out of mind. Definition

Ted gave his ex-girlfriend the cold shoulder when he saw her at the party.

give sb the cold shoulder Definition

 It took Alan a year to learn all the ins and outs of his job.

The ins and outs Definition

The fireman said that injuries were common in his line of work.

line of work Definition

I forgot to buy groceries so I had to make do with what was left in the fridge.

make do Definition

A: Keith, there’s something I need to get off my chest.

B: What’s bothering you? Tell me.

get sth off your chest Definition

Takeshi knows the streets of Kyoto like the back of his hand.

know sth like the back of your hand Definition

After scoring their fourth goal, the victory was in the bag.

in the bag Definition

Greg isn’t on the ball today. He keeps making silly mistakes.

be on the ball Definition

Tara and Mike have been seeing each other off and on for a year now.

off and on / on and off Definition

 I plan to move into my own apartment in September. For the time being, I’m staying with friend Doug.

for the time being Definition

Jack tried to be kind to his boss when he quit in job because he didn’t want to burn his bridges.

burn your bridges Definition

Alan got the sack for repeatedly coming into work late.

get/be given the sack / sack (verb) Definition

The project was put on the back burner while the company focused on a more immediate problem.

on the back burner Definition

It’s normal to get cold feet before your wedding day.

get cold feet Definition

After being fired and then kicked out of his apartment, Jake really hit rock bottom.

hit rock bottom Definition

Everyone agreed not to talk shop at the staff party.

talk shop Definition

It’s time we start the ball rolling on the new project.

start/get the ball rolling Definition

 Janice took a position as an administrative assistant to get her foot in the door at the famous fashion company.

get your foot in the door Definition

Lloyd comes from a well-to-do family. His friends often ask to borrow money from him.

well-off / well-to-do Definition

Lisa had to work extra hard because a few members of the team weren’t pulling their weight.

pull your weight Definition

I have a gut feeling that something bad is going to happen today.

a gut feeling Definition

If need be, we can take a taxi home.

if need be Definition

Their car broke down in the middle of nowhere.

in the middle of nowhere Definition

Jake didn’t want to go to another bar, but everyone else did, so he went with the flow.

go with the flow Definition

If Linda plays her cards right, she could be the department manager by next year.

play your cards right Definition

 Bill chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a dentist.

follow in sb’s footsteps Definition

Alan has his heart set on participating in the 2020 Olympics.

have your heart set on sth Definition

A: I met your boss today. He’s a real jerk.

B: You can say that again!

You can say that again! Definition

A: Doug, I’ve discovered the meaning of life.

B: Really? I’m all ears.

I’m all ears Definition

After some small talk, the interview began.

small talk Definition

Greg had to put his weekend plans on hold and go into the office on Saturday for a few hours.

put sth on hold Definition

The two boys had some common ground: they both loved football.

common ground Definition

politically (in)correct Marcel told a politically incorrect joke at the company party. No one laughed.
 Definition

“I’ve had it up to here with this mess! Clean your room now!”

have had it up to here Definition

If we want to finish this by Friday, then we’ve really got our work cut out for us.

have your work cut out Definition

A: The fight was horrible. One man kept punching the other again and again and again–

B: OK. That’s enough. I get the picture.

get the picture Definition

Mike and his father don’t see eye to eye on the issue of abortion.

see eye to eye Definition

It’s already 6 pm. Let’s call it a day.

call it a day Definition

I really had to twist my sister’s arm to get her to pick me up from the airport.

twist sb’s arm Definition

The report brought some previously unknown facts to light about the causes of cancer.

bring sth to light Definition

 Most of the employees were kept in the dark about the merger until the last minute.

be in the dark / keep sb in the dark Definition

After breaking his leg, Darryl’s dream to play professional hockey went up in smoke.

go up in smoke Definition

After his wife divorced him, Victor’s life really went downhill.

go downhill Definition

With the World Wide Web, people have a vast amount of information at their fingertips.

at your fingertips Definition

poke fun at The kids poked fun at George because he was wearing his t-shirt backwards.

A: You should get a girlfriend who’s beautiful AND kind.

B: Easier said than done.

Easier said than done. Definition

A: Doctor, what’s the bottom line?

B: If you don’t quit smoking, you’ll die within a year.

the bottom line Definition

The boss told Janet to call the shots while he was away.

call the shots Definition

 Hank knows every Elvis song by heart.

know/learn sth by heart Definition

If we don’t get a move on, we’ll miss the bus.

get a move on Definition

“You missed the point. The book was about the problems of capitalism, not how to make money.”

miss the point Definition

Although their enemy outnumbered them, the soldiers stood their ground.

hold/stand your ground Definition

The tennis match was child’s play for Ben.

be child’s play Definition

The scientist said it’s only a matter of time before a big earthquake hits California.

be only a matter of time Definition

A: Dad, can I have another ice cream cone?

B: Don’t push your luck, kid.

push your luck Definition

Francine’s short skirt raised a few eyebrows.

raise (a few) eyebrows Definition

 The best restaurant in Europe is, of course, a matter of opinion.

a matter of opinion Definition

A: Tyler is such a selfish guy.

B: Be that as it may, he’s your brother. You have to love him.

be that as it may Definition

If push comes to shove, I’ll be here to support you.

if/when push comes to shove Definition

Against his better judgement, Jim let his friend drive home drunk.

against your better judgement Definition

To add insult to injury, Greg’s wife left him for his best friend.

add insult to injury Definition

When the boss told me to come in to work on Saturday, that was the last straw.

the last straw Definition

Jim’s vacation plans were still up in the air.

be up in the air Definition

I don’t have the faintest idea where Wollongong is.

not have the faintest/foggiest idea Definition

 Paula enjoyed the concert, and getting to meet the artist backstage after the show was the icing on the cake.

the icing on the cake Definition

Janet doesn’t normally watch hockey but she jumped on the bandwagon because her city’s team was in the playoffs.

get/jump/leap on the bandwagon Definition

My father reads the fine print on every contract he signs.

the fine/small print Definition

The singer was stuck in a rut. All of her recent songs sounded the same.

stuck/be in a rut Definition

Kate is a waitress at a run-of-the-mill bar and restaurant in London.

run-of-the-mill Definition

Tina knew that one day her parents would see her tattoo and then she’d have to face the music.

face the music Definition

Bodyguards kept the reporters at bay while the movie stars entered the theatre.

to keep sth/sb at bay Definition

People were up in arms [about/over] the government’s plan to raise the retirement age.

be up in arms Definition
 Jack bit his tongue while his manager criticized his performance.

bite your tongue Definition

The design of our office building leaves a lot to be desired.

leave a lot to be desired Definition

Mike and Mary had dinner a quiet restaurant off the beaten track in Paris.

off the beaten track Definition

Mike is a marketing genius. People often invite him to lunch or dinner so they can pick his brains.

pick sb’s brains Definition

The 30-second trailer was designed to whet people’s appetites.

whet your appetite Definition

A: People with nice cars just want attention.

B: That sounds like sour grapes because you can’t afford one.

sour grapes Definition

Losing his job turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Afterward, Roger found his dream job.

a blessing in disguise Definition

I told the teacher that it wasn’t me who broke the window. Thankfully, he gave me the benefit of the doubt.

give sb the benefit of the doubt Definition

 Jeff said he couldn’t remember the song’s lyrics, but hearing the first few words jogged his memory.

jog sb’s memory Definition

George agreed to foot the bill for dinner.

foot the bill Definition

A: Why are you hiding from your brother?

B: He has it in for me. He knows I lost his football.

have it in for sb Definition

The company has been in the red since September.

be in the red Definition

Once the school principal caught wind of the problem, she called a teachers’ meeting.

get/catch wind of sth Definition

As a rule of thumb, I don’t eat food that smells bad.

a rule of thumb Definition

The group members were all on the same wavelength, so they were able to finish their project quickly.

be on the same wavelength Definition

After her holiday, it took Kate a few hours to get back up to speed on the recent developments in her company.

up to speed Definition
 Although Jim is against the death penalty, he told his friend he was for it just to play devil’s advocate.

play devil’s advocate Definition

Lisa bent over backwards to get her brother a job in her company, so she was surprised to learn he quit today.

bend/lean over backwards Definition

The politician passed the buck onto someone else instead of accepting responsibility for the problem.

pass the buck Definition

Jerry has finally decided to take the plunge. Tomorrow he’s going to start looking for an office job.

take the plunge Definition

When Mike heard his friend say she knew all of the world’s capitals, he called her bluff and asked her to name the capital of Mozambi

call sb’s bluff Definition

Tim has had a chip on his shoulder about businesswomen since he lost his job to a woman three years ago.

have a chip on your shoulder Definition

Jim found it hard to focus on his work with his boss breathing down his neck.

breathe down sb’s neck Definition

Having children can be an obstacle for women who want to climb (to the top of) the corporate ladder.

climb to the top of the career/corporate ladder Definition

 Mark’s visa application was held up for six months because of red tape.

red tape Definition

When his father died, Mark was given free rein to do whatever he liked with the family business.

give sb free rein Definition

Getting into Harvard Law School became the be-all-and-end-all of Tony’s existence.

the be-all-and-end-all Definition

The media blew the story out of proportion.

blow sth out of proportion Definition

Susan and Mike agreed that it was time to bury the hatchet. They apologized and decided to be friends again.

bury the hatchet Definition

Can’t find an idiom? See page two. Want to study more? Take the idioms quiz.

For example, it is important to know how to relate similar expressions and also how to put them into a context.

Run out of – not have any left

We have run out of time to finish the exam.
Make ends meet – have enough money to pay for everything
I find it hard to make ends meet on such a low salary.
Shed light on something – reveal information about
I hope that this new information sheds some light on the situation.

1. Not be bothered (infinitive) – not fancy

I can´t be bothered to do my homework this evening.
2. Be bound (infinitive) – be likely
It is bound to happen again if you don´t try to change your habits.
3. At its height – in the best moment
At its height the American economy was one of the most successful of all time.
4. At that time – then
At that time, I still hadn´t found out about his mental problems.
5. Ever since – from that point
Ever since you told me the news, I can´t think about anything else.
6. For a long time to come – from now on
I think you shall enjoy your life here for a long time to come.
7. On the outskirts – in the suburbs
When I have kids, I´d love to live on the outskirts of the city.
8. Be on good terms with – get on well with
Although they are divorced, they are still on good terms.
9. Bear in mind – take into consideration
We ought to bear in mind the deadline when making our plan of action.
10. Brace yourself for – be prepared
You ought to brace yourself for any issues that might come up.
11. For some… for others – not for everyone
For some people this means the end of a relationship, for others it does not.
12. Pull yourself together – focus on something
Before we begin you need to pull yourself together and be ready to start.
13. Stand the test of time – show its value over a long period
I reckon the internet will stand the test of time.
 14. On average – as a norm
On average, people take about 4 months to prepare for the exam.
15. As a result – in the end
As a result, we were late for the show and missed the first act.
16. All in all – on balance
All in all, the meeting went as had been planned.
17. Go with the flow – let yourself be influenced by the environment
I prefer to just go with the flow instead of trying to control everything.
18. Instead of – rather than
Instead of complaining about it, maybe you should look for a solution.
19. Change your mind – adapt your viewpoint
I was going to go out but I have changed my mind now.
20. As well as – in addition to
As well as his lack of punctuality, he also reeks of alcohol.
21. As long as – provided that
As long as he arrives on time, I don´t mind what he does.
22. I´d rather + (bare infinitive) – would prefer
I would rather unwind by reading than disconnect by watching TV.
23. Regret (not) + ing – feel sorry for
I regret not getting the job at the law firm.
24. Be worth + ing – deserve the effort
Is it worth travelling to the west coast of the USA?
25. As soon as – at the moment of
As soon as you arrive, give me a call.
26. By the time – when
By the time the bus left, I was already fast asleep.
27. On/at the point of – just about to
I was on the point of dropping out of university when I was offered a scholarship, so I stayed.
28. Take ages (infinitive) – take a long time
It took ages to find a job in the end.
29. Take by surprise – not expect
I was taken by surprise by her initial reaction.
 30. From time to time – every now and again
Could you come and visit me from time to time?
31. A matter of time – a question of time
It is only a matter of time before you find a girlfriend.
32. At this point – At a time
At this point I was beginning to get frustrated.
33. During which – in this time
I did an internship during which I made some useful contacts.
34. No longer – not any more
No longer am I going to wait for you to get ready.
35. Undergo a change – experience a change
The company is undergoing huge changes
36. Lead the way – give direction to
Part of running a company is leading the way by example.
37. Be in demand – be popular
Electric cars are in great demand nowadays
38. On purpose – intentionally
I´m so sorry, I didn´t do it on purpose.
39. By accident – without intention
I broke your vase by accident, please forgive me.
40. Be willing (infinitive) – want to
I am willing to try again if you give me the chance.
41. Be praised for – receive a compliment for
I was praised for being the best student on the programme.
42. Be better/worse than expected – not as good as first though
The weather is going to be worse than expected.
43. The pros and cons of – the advantages and disadvantages of
The pros and cons of being self-employed are debatable.
44. On time – at the correct time
If you can´t arrive on time, you should get up earlier.
45. On and on – again and again
You should persist and go on and on.
 46. Every now and then – occasionally
I get a little bit worried about my studies every now and again.
47. Be just about (infinitive) – be at the point of
I was just about to say that! You tool the words out of my mouth.
48. In this day and age – currently
In this day and age the job market is extremely competitive.
49. From day to day – each day
From day to day you seem to be getting lazier and lazier.
50. Sooner or later – at some point in time
Sooner or later, you will have to tell him the news.
51. Any day now –soon
I will get paid any day now.
52. Ages ago – a long time ago
It seems like ages ago since we last spoke.
53. Be about time + past – at long last
It is about time you got a job and moved out of your parent´s house.
54. Day by day – step by step
I seem to be improving day by day
55. Little by little – bit by bit
Little by little you will recover from your injury and the accident.
56. Last, but not least – at the end but not less important
We must do the shopping and last by not least, take the dog for a walk.
57. Against the law – not legal
You are not allowed to do that; it´s against the law.
58. Safe and sound – secure
We arrived home safe and sound at around 8pm.
59. In fact – actually/ in reality
He is quite lazy, in fact, I am thinking of firing him.
60. In terms of – regarding/ with regards to
What do you do? In terms of work, I mean.
61. In relation to – linked to
In relation to the meeting yesterday, we need to check out your progress in the company.
 62. Be reluctant (infinitive) – not want
I am reluctant to take up a new hobby.
63. On account of – owing to
On account of the weather, the trip shall be cancelled.
64. Be at fault – be to blame
He was at fault for the error.
65. Drop a hint about – insinuate
My teacher dropped a hint that the exam would be tough.
66. Slip out of – drop
The vase just slipped out of my hand.
67. As far as I know – I gather
As far as I know, we will need to replace the motor.
68. To result in – ending in
The project resulted in us having to repeat almost all of the investigation.
69. Take care of – look after
We ought to take care of ourselves.
70. On foot – walking
Do you go to work on foot?
71. Be similar to – like/ be alike
It is similar to what happened yesterday.
72. Take a look at – view/check out
Could you take a look at my bike, please?
73. as though – as if
He seemed as though he were uninterested.
74. By chance – by coincidence
By chance, they had the exact thing I was looking for.
75. By no means – not at all
By no means is he the strongest candidate.
76. Owing to – As a result of/because of
Owing to delays on line 3, you ought to try and take a bus.
77. By oneself – on one´s own
I enjoy working by myself more than in a team.
 78. In no time – soon
I learned German in no time.
79. A means by which – a way of
He is very determined, a means by which he always achieves successful results.
80. Take a chance – risk
I don´t want to take any chances on the deadline.
81. Take place – be in a location
The film takes place in Tokyo.
82. As it happens – as a matter of fact
As it happens, I have met you before.
83. At a guess – I am no expert, but
At a guess, I would say that the play will last for 4 hours.
84. It so happens that – as a result
It so happens that I speak fluent Spanish.
85. Make sense – be logical
That makes sense since you used to work in the USA.
86. Make up one´s mind – decide
I can´t make up my mind what to order.
87. By all accounts – according to
By all accounts he is one of the best lecturers in the field.
88. Pay attention to – focus on
We must pay attention to the teacher.
89. See no point in/of – not understand the logic behind
I don´t see the point in learning Catalan.
90. Have (little/no) difficulty in – have no trouble (ing)
I have difficulty in learning phrasal verbs.
91. The benefit to/of – the advantage of
The benefits of having good language skills are endless.
92. On balance – in conclusion
On balance, I think you ought to practise every day to improve.
93. The downside of – the drawback of
The downside of being so intelligent is that most other people seem a little dim.
 94. Be in two minds – be undecided
I am in two minds on whether to order the fish or a salad.
95. In a nutshell – to sum up
In a nutshell, you could either order by phone or online.
96. Be up to date – be current
I am not up to date with the gossip in our office.
97. Sort of – more or less
I sort of enjoy spending time at the beach.
98. Just because – not reason behind something
Why do you like eating chocolate? I´m not sure, just because.
99. Just in case – if needed
Just in case you need any information, you can visit our website.
100. Only just – be the skin of one´s teeth
We only just made it out alive.
101. Under no circumstances – no way
Under no circumstances should you be late for the exam.
102. Be in one´s interest – be good for
It is in your interest to attend the meeting.
103. Had better (bare infinitive) – should
We had better set off early if we want to arrive on time.
104. Get something across to someone – explain something to someone
It can sometimes be difficult to get your point across to someone else.
105. Place the blame on – say someone is at fault
I placed the blame on one of my employees.
106. Go ahead – permission to proceed
You can go ahead and continue with your studies if you like.
107. Be capable of – be able + infinitive
You are much more capable of learning a language than you think.
108. Take for granted – not give credit for
You should not take your friends for granted.
109. Beforehand – in advance
I would book beforehand if I were you.
110. Have no recollection of – not remember
I have no recollection of that happening.