Learn 12 English idioms and phrases for everyday use. These phrases are key to fluent and confident daily conversations, enabling you to communicate more effectively in various situations.
This lesson is ideal for anyone wanting to improve their English speaking skills. By the end, you’ll know how to naturally use these phrases in your everyday speech, making your English sound more fluent and boosting your confidence.
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Idioms and Phrases for Everyday Use
Harry
This particular advanced English lesson is all about speaking, all about your vocabulary. So we’re looking at advanced expressions that will help you improve your speaking English. These are expressions that native speakers use automatically, they don’t have to think long and hard. They just drop them into their conversations.
There are 12 of them, so an even dozen. I’ll give them to you with a couple of examples of how to use them. But as I always say, be really, really careful. There’s no need for you to learn by heart all 12 of them, and there’s no need for you to try and force them into every conversation that you have.
There will be times when you want to use them. So pick your moments and it will make you sound better, more professional, and you’ll enjoy the experience.
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get the hang of something
Meaning: to become proficient or skilled in doing something
Examples:
It took Harry a while to get the hang of Zoom.
It took me a while to get the hang of driving on the left side of the road when I moved to the UK.
After a few weeks of practice, I finally got the hang of playing the guitar.
beat around the bush
Meaning: to avoid talking about something directly
Examples:
Harry often beats around the bush at the start of the lesson, so make sure to keep watching to catch his best points.
Stop beating around the bush and just tell me what you want to say.
The boss always beats around the bush before giving bad news.
it goes without saying
Meaning: used to introduce a point that is obvious or widely accepted
Examples:
It goes without saying that we’re not going to be open on Friday and Saturday because it’s a bank holiday weekend.
It goes without saying that if you have to work later than 6pm, we will pay your overtime.
It goes without saying that a healthy diet is essential for maintaining a healthy body.
It goes without saying that we need to be careful how we spend our money during tough economic times.
Idioms and Phrases for Everyday Use
keep someone/be on your toes
Meaning: to keep someone alert or on high alert
Examples:
Her unexpected questions during meetings always keep me on my toes.
Always keep on your toes. Be aware of what’s happening around you just in case.
My boss likes to give me unpredictable tasks to keep me on my toes.
Being a firefighter means you always have to be on your toes and ready to act in an emergency.
come clean
Meaning: to confess or tell the truth about something
Examples:
I decided to come clean about my mistake and apologise to my boss.
She finally came clean and admitted that she was the one who broke the vase.
turn a blind eye
Meaning: to ignore or pretend not to notice something
Examples:
Mum turned a blind eye as little Johnny sneakily ate a biscuit off the plate.
The teacher turned a blind eye to the student who was cheating in the exam.
The manager turned a blind eye to the employee who was consistently late to work.
pull someone’s leg
Meaning: to play a joke on someone or tease them in a friendly way
Examples:
I wasn’t really angry with you, I was just pulling your leg.
My coworkers were pulling my leg when I got a Valentine’s card from a girl in the office.
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make a long story short
Meaning: to summarise a story or explanation briefly
Examples:
To make a long story short, we missed the train and had to drive instead.
To make a long story short, I ended up getting lost on my way to the airport and missed my flight.
I won’t go into all the details now, but to make a long story short, we have decided to shelve those plans.
keep someone in the loop
Meaning: to keep someone informed or up-to-date on a particular matter or situation
Examples:
I’ll keep you in the loop about that new client, just in case you want to ring them.
Please keep me in the loop. I’d like to be informed about everything that happens.
Can you keep me in the loop about the plans for next weekend?
play devil’s advocate
Meaning: to present a counterargument to a point or perspective
Examples:
We all want to proceed with this project, but let me play devil’s advocate and consider the potential risks.
Is there anyone willing to play devil’s advocate? Let’s look at different scenarios.
Idioms and Phrases for Everyday Use
having said that
Meaning: is often used to indicate a shift in the speaker’s argument or a change in the topic of discussion
Examples:
The forecast predicts rain, but having said that, we should still plan our hike.
Having said that, there is a possibility that we might need to delay the launch.
Having said that, I do think it’s important to acknowledge the challenges that come with the proposed plan.
She’s an excellent writer, but having said that, her communication skills need improvement.
wishful thinking
Meaning: refers to the act of believing in something that is highly unlikely or unrealistic, often because one wishes it were true
Example:
Expecting a sunny and warm summer in Ireland is wishful thinking.
Believing we can finish this project by tomorrow is wishful thinking because we don’t have enough time.
The chance of winning the lotto is about 1 in 45 million, so it is just wishful thinking.
Okay, so there we have 12 idioms and phrases for everyday use that I think you can use and help you to improve your spoken English. You can also include them in writing, but they’re very good when you’re in conversations. They are suitable for all types of conversations.
So as always, you know the drill by now. Practise some of them. And if you need some additional information, some additional examples, you can contact me at www.englishlessonviaskype.com. Very happy to hear from you. Very happy to give you the additional information that you want.
Okay, this is Harry saying goodbye. Thanks for listening and thanks for watching. Join me again soon.
speak better English with Harry podcast- episode 500
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
Intermediate English travel vocabulary
English vocabulary related to driving
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
