Common English idioms and phrases you should know
Depending on where you go, the language will be vastly different, but quite often, certain English phrases overlap, so you might hear some common phrases being used in more than one country.
"It's all gone pear-shaped" (UK)
This quirky phrase means that something has gone wrong or not as planned. For example, if your holiday plans fall apart due to bad weather, you could say, Our trip to the coast has gone all pear-shaped. In other words, its bad news for our vacation.
"No worries, mate!" (Australia/UK)
In Australia, youll often hear the phrase No worries, mate! used to convey that everything is fine or that theres no problem. Its a versatile expression of reassurance and friendliness. For instance, if you apologize for bumping into someone on a busy street, you might receive a cheerful No worries, mate! in response.
"Fill your boots" (Canada)
This phrase is an invitation to help yourself to as much of something as you want. For example, if youre at a buffet and someone says, Fill your boots, theyre encouraging you to enjoy as much food as you like. Its a welcoming expression that showcases generosity and hospitality.
"Fair dinkum" (Australia)
This expression is used to affirm the truth or genuineness of something. It can be equated to saying really or honestly in other English dialects. For example, if someone tells you a surprising fact about the local wildlife, you might respond with Fair dinkum? to confirm that it is indeed true.
"Chock-a-block" (UK)
This phrase means that something is full to capacity. For instance, if a pub or restaurant is very crowded, you might hear someone say, The pub is chock-a-block tonight. Its an evocative way to describe a situation where space is limited or an area is very busy.
"Double-double" (Canada)
In Canada, especially when discussing coffee, a double-double refers to a coffee with two creams and two sugars. For example, if youre at a cafe and want a coffee with two creams and two sugars, you would say, Ill have a double-double, please. This phrase will make you sound like a fluent English speaker.
"I'm knackered" (UK)
Feeling extremely tired? Then youre knackered. This phrase is commonly used in the UK to express exhaustion. After a long day of sightseeing, you might say, Im completely knackered! If you only feel this tired once in a blue moon, youre lucky! This is a common way to express tiredness in everyday conversation in the UK.
"It's not my cup of tea" (UK)
If something isnt to your liking, you might say, Its not my cup of tea. This phrase is a polite way of expressing disinterest or dislike. For example, you might say, Horror films are not my cup of tea. Even if English is not your native language, using phrases like Its not my cup of tea can help you sound more natural.
"A bit miffed" (UK)
If you find yourself slightly annoyed or irritated, you might use the phrase a bit miffed. Its a mild way to express discontent. For example, if youve been waiting a long time in a queue and someone cuts in front of you, you might say, I was a bit miffed when they pushed in. If you think cutting in line will get you served faster, youre . Fluent English speakers often use a bit miffed to express mild irritation politely.
"What's up?" (US)
A common greeting in the United States, Whats up? is a casual way to ask someone how they are or what they are doing. Its extremely common and often used among friends and acquaintances. For instance, when meeting a friend, you might say, Hey, whats up? to start a conversation.
Another casual greeting you might hear is Hows life? which is used to check in on someones well-being.
"In a jiffy" (UK)
If you hear someone use this phrase, in a jiffy, it means they will do it very quickly. Its a phrase used to indicate promptness or immediacy. For example, if youre waiting for your meal at a restaurant and the server says, Itll be ready in a jiffy, you can expect it to arrive shortly.
"Hit the sack" (US)
If youre ready to go to bed or sleep, you can use the phrase hit the sack. Its a casual way of saying that you are going to sleep. After a long day of activities, you might tell your friends, Im exhausted, I think Ill hit the sack. When speaking English, using phrases like hit the sack can make your conversations sound more natural.
"Raining cats and dogs" (UK)
Brits love talking about the weather, so it's no surprise this idiom is weather-related. The idiom is a colorful way to describe heavy rain. Using this idiom not only conveys the severity of the rain but also adds a touch of humor to your conversation. If you visit during its rainy seasons (which is more often than you think), you'll have plenty of opportunities to use this phrase.
Conclusion
Incorporating these common English phrases into your conversations will not only help you blend in better but also make your interactions more engaging and authentic. Remember, language learning is an ongoing process, so dont be afraid to make mistakes. Expanding your spoken English vocabulary will also help you feel more confident in your interactions.
The more you practice, the more confident youll become. The more you practice, the more you will sound like a fluent English speaker. If you can, consulting a native speaker can help you understand such idioms and use them correctly. Native speakers often talk quickly and use complex vocabulary, so dont hesitate to ask them to speak slower or provide examples to improve your understanding.
