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Common phrases
Every language has a collection of sayings used in different situations. To understand English as it is spoken in real life you have to familiarize yourself with the different phrases and idioms. They are commonly used in everyday English and you need to know what they mean and how they are used. Here are some of the most common English phrases which will help to enrich your English vocabulary and have you sounding like a native speaker in no time!
- Jump to conclusions: Coming to a conclusion when you don’t have all the details
Example: “It’s a good book. You shouldn’t jump to conclusions before reading it.”
- Keep an eye on: To watch or supervise someone or something.
Example: “Can you keep an eye on my dog while I go to the shop for a minute?”
- Out of the blue: Something that happens spontaneously.
Example: “I don’t know why Beth started crying. It was out of the blue.”
- Know something inside out: Have knowledge of every detail of something.
Example: “Ask John to help you with your homework. He knows maths inside out.”
- Give someone a hand: To help someone.
Example: “These bags look heavy, do you need a hand?”
- Now and then: Something that happens once in a while.
Example: “I go to the beach near my town every now and then.”
- Keeping my fingers crossed: Hoping for something good to happen.
Example: “I hope it works. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.”
- Out of this world: Something that is amazing and wonderful.
Example: “The concert was out of this world. It was a great experience.”
- Over one’s head: To say that something is too difficult to understand.
Example: “Don’t bother explaining it to Martin. It’s way over his head.”
- Piece of cake: Describes something that is easy to do.
Example: “Learning to write is a piece of cake. It just takes practice.”
- Sooner or later: Eventually; something that will happen in a future time.
Example: “You’ll have to tell him sooner or later”
- Pull someone’s leg: To make someone believe something that is not true.
Example: “I’m kidding. I was just pulling your leg.”
- Put oneself in one’s place: To look at something from someone else’s point of view.
Example: “If you put yourself in my place, you would understand why I did that.”
- I can eat a horse: Said when someone is very hungry.
Example: “I’m so hungry that I can eat a horse.”
- Read between the lines: To understand the hidden meaning of something that is unclear.
Example: “Jack isn’t very good at reading between the lines. You have to tell him exactly what you want.”
- Rings a bell: When something sounds familiar.
Example: “Her name rings a bell, but I don’t remember for sure.”
- Sleep on it: To delay a decision so you have time to think about it.
Example: “I don’t think I can decide now. Let me sleep on it and I’ll give you my answer tomorrow.”
- Play it by ear: To decide to deal with a situation as more events unfold.
Example: “We don’t have to plan something for Friday. We can just play it by ear.”
- Grab a bite: To get something to eat.
Example: “If you haven’t had lunch yet, let’s grab a bite to eat.”
- Take it easy: To calm down and relax.
Example: “You’re pushing yourself too hard. Take it easy.”
- Go with the flow: To do things the same way as other people because it is easier to do.
Example: “If you don’t want to stand out, go with the flow.”
- Twenty-four seven: Something that is always available; every minute of the day and night.
Example:”7-11 is a good store because they are open twenty-four seven.”
- Under the weather: Feeling sick; not well.
Example: “I’m going to stay home because I’m feeling under the weather today.”
- Don’t sweat it: To tell someone not to worry.
Example: “You tried your best, so don’t sweat it.”
- Beats me: Used when you don’t know or understand what’s happening.
Example:”Beats me how she found out about the surprise party.”
- I don’t buy it: To disagree about something when it isn’t convincing.
Example: “Anna said she was sorry but I don’t buy it.”
- Keep your cool: To act normal.
Example: “I know you’re angry with him but you have to keep your cool.”
- Sort of: A little; kind of.
Example: “I sort of know how to speak Spanish.”
- Good for you: To express that you are happy for a person.
Example: “Good for you, you finally passed your driving test.”
- Good luck: To wish someone well.
Example: “Good luck on your interview tomorrow”
- Sooner or later: Eventually; something that will happen in a future time.
Example: “You’ll have to tell him sooner or later”
- Pull someone’s leg: To make someone believe something that is not true.
Example: “I’m kidding. I was just pulling your leg.”
- Put oneself in one’s place: To look at something from someone else’s point of view.
Example: “If you put yourself in my place, you would understand why I did that.”
- I can eat a horse: Said when someone is very hungry.
Example: “I’m so hungry that I can eat a horse.”
- Read between the lines: To understand the hidden meaning of something that is unclear.
Example: “Jack isn’t very good at reading between the lines. You have to tell him exactly what you want.”
- Rings a bell: When something sounds familiar.
Example: “Her name rings a bell, but I don’t remember for sure.”
- Sleep on it: To delay a decision so you have time to think about it.
Example: “I don’t think I can decide now. Let me sleep on it and I’ll give you my answer tomorrow.”
- Play it by ear: To decide to deal with a situation as more events unfold.
Example: “We don’t have to plan something for Friday. We can just play it by ear.”
- Grab a bite: To get something to eat.
Example: “If you haven’t had lunch yet, let’s grab a bite to eat.”
- Take it easy: To calm down and relax.
Example: “You’re pushing yourself too hard. Take it easy.”
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