50 Most Important English Phrases

50  More Most Popular English Phrases

Are you traveling for business or pleasure to an English speaking country?

Maybe your dream is to visit or move to America than it is important to
understand the language. There are several phrases that can help you sound
more like a native speaker. 

Learning them will not only help you understand the language but may impress
the people you are visiting.

Below are 50 common phrases to get you started:

1 Nice to meet you- This phrase is used in a Greeting. For instance “Hello, nice
to meet you!” meaning you are happy to meet that colleague, future friend, etc...
It is used as a pleasant way to greet someone. 

2. Where are you from? – Used as an opening in “small” talk to carry a

conversation, or conversation starter. Asking them what is the location they live
in, or what country or city they are from. It is also used in a formal and informal
conversation.

3 How do you spell that? – If you are writing something down and you’re not
sure of the proper spelling you can ask them “How do you spell that?” to get the
correct answer. This is the proper way to ask for correction or if you simply do
not know.

4 What does that mean? If you are in a meeting, or at work and are having a
difficult time understanding a concept, or something that is being presented you
can ask “What does that mean?” to ask for clarification. This is a formal way to
as what something means in a business meeting, or at work.

5 Can you speak slower? – This phrase is used if you are in a conversation with
someone and they are speaking too fast for you to understand them. This
phrase is used in a formal conversation or an informal one as well.  “Can you
speak slower?” 

6 Could you please repeat that? - If you are in a formal or informal conversation
and you didn’t hear some or any of what the person said you can say “Could
you repeat that” or “Can you please repeat that” . This is commonly used in
classes, or at work, or in an important business meeting.

7 I don’t understand= I don’t know what you just said, or if you can’t
comprehend the conversation and need clarification. It is commonly used in
informal conversation but can be used in a business setting as well.

8 So what do you think? This phrase is used to ask the other person their
opinion on your conversation. It is commonly used in everyday conversation.
Can be used in business situations if you are looking for an opinion on a paper,
report, or idea, etc..by saying “What do you think?”

9 How does this look? – This is used when you want an opinion on the
appearance of something. For instance if your friend just got a new outfit or
clothing and they want your opinion they might say “How does this look?” giving
you the opportunity to respond with their opinion. 

10 Sorry, I’m running late – This is used if you are going to be late to a meeting
or an appointment of some sort. It’s an apology for being tardy or not getting to
a meeting on time. It also will let someone know you’re not going to be there at
your scheduled time. It is often used in a formal conversation.

11 I appreciate that – This phrase is commonly used to let someone know you
are grateful for something they have done. Or to show them you are thankful for
a favor they may have done for you. For instance “Thanks so much for picking
up my hours last week, I appreciate that.”

12 A piece of cake- This phrase is commonly used to let people know that
something is going to be or was an easy task. For instance “I completed the
assignment it was a piece of cake”. This phrase is often used informally.

13 I’m feeling under the weather- This common phrase is used when someone
is not feeling good, sick, or ill. “I’m feeling under the weather today.” This is an
expression you would  use when speaking to a friend or neighbor in an informal
setting.
14 Adding insult to injury – This phrase is often used in everyday conversation
to describe when a situation goes from bad to worse. For instance if someone
had recently lost their job, now they are losing their car they may say ‘To add
insult to injury, the car lot is repossessing my car.”

15 What’s new? – This phrase is used to ask the other person what has been
happening since you last met with them. It is often used as a conversation
starter or a greeting. This phrase is often used in informal conversations.

16 How are things? – This is an informal phrase often used to ask someone
how they have been doing or how things in their life have been going. It is often
used when someone hasn’t seen you in a while. Often used with friends, family,
or a neighbor.

17 How’s life? – This is what you would say to a friend, or family member
showing curiosity in what’s going on with them in general. It is commonly used
in circles of friends.

18 Pretty good- This is used when describing how you are feeling or if someone
asks you “How you are doing”. If you are feeling satisfactory you may say “I am
feeling pretty good.’ Commonly used in informal conversations but can be used
in some businesses situations.

19 Could be better- This is a phrase used to describe how you’re feeling when
you are a bit down. You might say ‘I could be better” or “Things could be better.”
Often used in an informal situation.

20 That’s so kind of you- This is a common phrase used to show how grateful or
how much you appreciate what someone has done for you, or given you. If they
have done a favor for you that you were not expecting you might say, “Thanks,
that’s so kind of you.”

21 I owe you one- This is a common phrase used in common conversation

when someone wants you to do them a favor and implies they will do one for
you in return at a later date. For instance in a work situation they might say “can
you complete the report for me, I will owe you one!”

22 It was nice chatting with you- This phrase is used to close a conversation.
When you are having a conversation with a friend or colleague, even a stranger
you can say “It was nice chatting with you” then they know you are ready to go.

23 I’ve never given it much thought – this is a phrase you say when you don’t
really have an opinion about something. If a friend, colleague, or even a
business partner asks your opinion about the conversation or an idea and you
don’t really have anything to say one way or the other. You might say “I’ve really
never given it much thought.”

24 That’s so true – This is a phrase you might use if you agree with something
that is being said, or an idea someone explains. For instance after reading an
article you agree with you might say “That’s so true.  This is commonly used in
informal conversations. 

25 I agree 100% - use of this phrase is when you agree with something. If you
are happy with what someone else says you might say “Yes, I agree 100 %” or
in a class when a concept is explained, or even a story idea you may like you
could say, “I agree with the story concept 100%”.

26 Tell me about it- This phrase can be used a few different ways for instance if
you agree with something that’s being said you can say “tell me about it.” Or if a
friend or colleague receives some news you might say “You want to tell me
about it?”

27 That’s terrible- Is often used in casual conversation if something bad or sad

has happened. For instance a friend tells you that their neighbor was in a bad
accident, you might want to say “That’s terrible.” Meaning “That’s bad” Not
commonly practiced in business settings or formal situations.

28 Oh no, I’m so sorry – This phrase is often used in conversation to describe

how you might feel when something is wrong or if something bad happens to a
friend or colleague. For instance they tell you their mother is in the hospital you
might say “Oh no, I’m so sorry.” 

29 So sorry to hear that – This phrase is used in an informal and formal

situation. If someone you know just got news about a family member, friend, or
colleague passing away you might say ‘I’m so sorry to hear that.” 

30 How about eating out tonight? – If you are interested in eating in a

restaurant, a friend’s house, or somewhere other than where you live you might
say “How about eating out tonight?” Then everyone knows you want to go
somewhere else to eat.

31 I’m absolutely starving – This phrase let’s people know you are hungry and
ready to eat. It is often used in casual circles, but could be used at a meeting to
let someone know you’re ready for your lunch or a break. It can be used in both
a formal or informal conversation.

32 That’s a rip-off – This phrase says that something costs too much, or is too
expensive. If you see something that costs more than at other stores chances
are it’s a rip-off. It is most commonly used in casual conversations between
friends, family, or some colleagues.

33. I’m beat – This phrase is used to describe how you may feel after a long day
of work, or shopping. It means you are tired, or worn out. Often used in casual
conversation the person may say after coming in from work “I’m beat, I’m going
to lie down.”

34 I’m exhausted – a phrase meaning tired or sleepy. For instance when you
have been working a lot of hours in a given week you might say “I’m exhausted,
I’m going to bed early tonight.” This type of phrase is used in an informal
conversation. 

35 I’m going to hit the hay / (sack) – This phrase doesn’t mean a literal sack or
even mean hitting actual hay. It is a different way to say going to bed, or sleep.
If you come in tired you might tell your family after dinner “I’m going to hit the
hay” or “I’m going to hit the sack.” Then they know you’re going to bed.

36 Don’t quote me on that – This phrase is commonly used around the work
place or in our careers. It is used after someone says something they are not
entirely sure about. For instance if they are unsure on the figures in a report
they might say “but don’t quote me on that” letting the people in the meeting
know they are not quite sure.

37 In no time- This phrase maybe used when something can be done quickly
like; “I can do that in no time!” or meaning it’s a breeze.  This is definitely a
informal conversation piece. However in some situations it can be used to
answer your boss. For instance “When can you have the report done?” “I can
have it done in no time.” It would mean immediately. 

38 They’re too uptight – this means that they are too conservative, or stiff, too
closed off. For instance “the ladies in retail are too uptight, they need to relax.’
This is something you might say in general conversation about another person
or type of people. It is often used in informal situations.

39 Pass the buck- “Are you really going to pass the buck?” – passing the buck
is passing the responsibility or blame to another person. For instance if you
were at a meeting and someone lost an important business report and they
keep blaming it on someone else, this would be passing the buck.

40 Take your time – If you are not in a rush to get something done you would be
“taking your time”.  This can be used to also tell someone not to rush to get it
done. You might say “It’s okay you can take your time.”

41 Bring you’re a-game – You’re a game means your best or top performance.
For instance if you are going to give an important presentation your boss might
tell you to “Bring you’re a-game” 

42 Take it easy- This phrase is commonly used is casual situations. It means

relax or rest for instance if you have been working too hard your friend might
say “Why don’t you go home and take it easy.” 

43 Beating around the bush – This phrase means to circle around an idea
without saying it. It may be used like “Stop beating around the bush and say it.”
It is often used in casual conversations.

44 Miss the boat – This phrase means to miss an opportunity, to miss your
chance. This phrase is often used to describe career opportunities missed. A
person might say “don’t miss the boat.” They would mean don’t miss your
chance. It is often used in informal conversations among friends and family
members.

45 Lost your touch- This means someone is not as good as they used to be at
something. They have lost their touch. For instance you might say ‘John has
lost his touch in basketball.” It is typically used in an informal conversation.

46 Sit tight – This means sit still, or wait. Best used in a casual or informal
conversation. It is used like “Sit tight, I’ll be right back.” This is something you
would say to a friend or colleague. However some situations it can be used in a
business setting.

47 Get over it- This means to stop thinking about it, stop letting it bother you.
This is a phrase used quite often in informal conversation. You might use it like
“It’s been a week you should just get over it.” 

48 For real? - This phrase means- honestly, or seriously. It is a statement of

amazement often used with an exclamations point. Used in casual or informal
conversation among friends, or colleagues for instance; “Are you for real!” 

49 That’s sweet- The phrase “That’s sweet” can have a few meanings. For
instance if someone has done something nice for you, you can say ‘Awe, that’s
sweet.” Or if you like someone’s new car you might say ‘That’s sweet!” Typically
used in an informal setting for both meanings.

50 Let’s wrap it up – This means you’re ready to go. If you’re in a meeting you
might say “okay guys, let’s wrap it up!” to signal the closing of the meeting. This
can be used in both a formal and informal context.