Improve your English with 10 idioms for daily conversations. Learn how to use idioms correctly in context.
This lesson is perfect for advanced English learners seeking to improve their fluency in daily English conversations.
Discover useful English phrases for daily conversation that will help you express yourself better. Take your English to the next level with this advanced English lesson.
Listen to the podcast Speak Better English with Harry or watch it on YouTube at Learn English with Harry. englishclass101
List of Idioms
Improve Your English with 10 Everyday Idioms
Harry
In this spoken English lesson, you will learn ten daily expressions that will help you achieve total English fluency. These motivational English idioms are used by native speakers in daily conversations.
Learning these advanced English expressions will help you to develop confident speaking and sound more natural in English.
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take the plunge
Meaning: to start something new or take a risk
Examples:
I decided to take the plunge and try a new hobby.
John finally took the plunge, handed in his notice, and decided to travel around the world.
I decided to take the plunge and start my own business.
Antonio has been going out with that girl for at least 10 years, and he hasn’t taken the plunge yet.
feel a rush of sth
Meaning: to suddenly experience a strong and intense feeling or emotion, that can make a person act impulsively or lose control
Examples:
I felt a rush of blood and impulsively decided to run a marathon.
After a romantic dinner, he felt a rush of blood to the head and decided to propose on the spot.
Improve Your English with 10 Everyday Idioms
jump at the chance
Meaning: to eagerly and quickly accept an opportunity when it is offered to you
Examples:
Why don’t you ask Mark to go? He would jump at the chance to go.
When they offered me a promotion at work, I jumped at the chance to take on more responsibilities.
We’d always wanted to visit Japan, so when we found discounted tickets, we jumped at the chance to book our flights.
be on a roll
Meaning: things are going well and you’re achieving positive results one after another
Examples:
Adam has already sold 2 cars this week, and now he has persuaded a third customer to make a purchase. He is really on a roll.
Don’t stop him now; he’s on a roll. He’s aced his last two exams and is excelling in everything he tries.
The comedian is on a roll, cracking jokes that have the whole crowd in stitches.
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give it a whirl
Meaning: try something or give something a chance, even if you’re not sure of the outcome
Examples:
Even though I’ve never tried it before, I decided to give ballroom dancing a whirl. I ended up loving it!
Learning English was a challenge, but I decided to give it a whirl.
give something your best shot
Meaning: put in your maximum effort and try as hard as you can to achieve sth
Examples:
You’ve worked hard all semester. Go ahead and give it your best shot on the final exam.
Even though it’s challenging, I’ll give this project my best shot.
Despite the obstacles and uncertainties, I’m determined to give this opportunity my absolute best shot.
square the circle
Meaning: try to do something very difficult or attempt the impossible
Examples:
Trying to make everyone in the family agree on a holiday destination can feel like squaring the circle.
Reaching an agreement in this difficult negotiation feels like trying to square the circle.
Improve Your English with 10 Everyday Idioms
try your hand at something
Meaning: to attempt or make an effort to do something new
Examples:
Kids should try their hand at lots of different sports until they find something they truly enjoy.
He tries his hand at different tasks, from laying tiles to plumbing, and even tackling electrical work.
do/try your utmost
Meaning: (formal) do everything within your power to accomplish a task or achieve a goal
Examples:
In your schoolwork, always remember to do your utmost. That means giving your very best effort, and never giving up.
I’ll do my utmost to close the deal. I know what it needs, but these guys are tough negotiators.
go for it
Meaning: an informal way of encouraging someone to take action or pursue a particular goal
Examples:
Thinking about asking for a promotion? Go for it!
I’ve had a crush on him for a while now. I think it’s time to go for it and ask him out on a date.
So hopefully, these everyday idioms will help you improve your English. It’s about trying new things, things you’ve never done before. That’s what trying and attempting is all about—exploring new, maybe risky, stuff. These could be anything; who knows? But if you never try, you won’t succeed.
Don’t forget to practice. Choose a few and put them into sentences. And if you want more examples, feel free to reach out at www.englishlessonviaskype.com. I’m always happy to hear from you and help you out. Thanks for listening and watching. Join me again soon.
speak better English with Harry podcast- episode 456
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
Useful phrases for job interviews
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
