Summer has arrived and you might be gearing up for a holiday soon. Knowing some of the local language is always helpful, but to genuinely speak like a native English speaker, you must grasp and use common phrases and idioms that locals employ in daily conversations. Native English speakers have a natural command of these phrases, whereas non-fluent speakers often need to study and practice them to achieve fluency.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into essential English phrases that will help you sound more like a local and less like a tourist.
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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.
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, it’s bad news for our vacation.
In Australia, you’ll often hear the phrase “No worries, mate!” used to convey that everything is fine or that there’s no problem. It’s 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.
This phrase is an invitation to help yourself to as much of something as you want. For example, if you’re at a buffet and someone says, “Fill your boots,” they’re encouraging you to enjoy as much food as you like. It’s a welcoming expression that showcases generosity and hospitality.
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.
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.” It’s an evocative way to describe a situation where space is limited or an area is very busy.
In Canada, especially when discussing coffee, a “double-double” refers to a coffee with two creams and two sugars. For example, if you’re at a cafe and want a coffee with two creams and two sugars, you would say, “I’ll have a double-double, please.” This phrase will make you sound like a fluent English speaker.
Feeling extremely tired? Then you’re “knackered.” This phrase is commonly used in the UK to express exhaustion. After a long day of sightseeing, you might say, “I’m completely knackered!” If you only feel this tired once in a blue moon, you’re lucky! This is a common way to express tiredness in everyday conversation in the UK.
If something isn’t to your liking, you might say, “It’s 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 “It’s not my cup of tea” can help you sound more natural.
If you find yourself slightly annoyed or irritated, you might use the phrase “a bit miffed.” It’s a mild way to express discontent. For example, if you’ve 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, you’re . Fluent English speakers often use “a bit miffed” to express mild irritation politely.
A common greeting in the United States, “What’s up?” is a casual way to ask someone how they are or what they are doing. It’s extremely common and often used among friends and acquaintances. For instance, when meeting a friend, you might say, “Hey, what’s up?” to start a conversation.
Another casual greeting you might hear is “How’s life?” which is used to check in on someone’s well-being.
If you hear someone use this phrase, “in a jiffy,” it means they will do it very quickly. It’s a phrase used to indicate promptness or immediacy. For example, if you’re waiting for your meal at a restaurant and the server says, “It’ll be ready in a jiffy,” you can expect it to arrive shortly.
If you’re ready to go to bed or sleep, you can use the phrase “hit the sack.” It’s a casual way of saying that you are going to sleep. After a long day of activities, you might tell your friends, “I’m exhausted, I think I’ll hit the sack.” When speaking English, using phrases like “hit the sack” can make your conversations sound more natural.
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.
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 don’t 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 you’ll 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 don’t hesitate to ask them to speak slower or provide examples to improve your understanding.
Read our blog post 'English words and slang terms you should know'
As demographic shifts and technological advancements reshape the global workforce, the gap between the skills people have and the skills they need continues to widen. This "skills chasm" is particularly evident in language learning, where traditional education systems often fail to keep pace with the demands of the modern economy.
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Engaging in conversations, especially in a language that isn't your first, can sometimes be daunting. Whether English isn’t your first language or you’re just looking to improve your conversational skills, having a few handy phrases up your sleeve can make a world of difference. Here are seven essential phrases that can help you navigate conversations in English with greater ease and confidence.
