In this English lesson, you’ll learn 13 natural casual expressions for everyday conversations — and which ones you can use with colleagues at work.
You’ll also see which expressions are perfectly natural with colleagues and which ones are better kept for very informal conversations.
When you speak English, you won’t always know the exact word. You may forget the name of an object, want to give an approximate number, or simply decide that the exact detail isn’t important.
English speakers use casual expressions to deal with these moments without stopping the conversation. Vague English phrases let you keep speaking while you find the words you need.
These phrases are particularly useful for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to speak more fluently, understand natural spoken English and keep talking when one word doesn’t come to mind.
How to use vague language naturally in English
Watch the video first to hear Harry explain the expressions and how they sound in natural spoken English. Then use the examples below to practise them in everyday and workplace conversations.
Prefer to read first? Everything Harry covers in the video is explained below, with examples for both everyday and workplace conversations.
- Why English speakers use casual expressions
- Casual expressions for approximate times, numbers and descriptions
- Casual expressions when you don’t need to explain everything
- What to say when you forget a word in English
- Can you use casual English at work?
- Practise these casual English expressions
- Quick reference: 13 casual expressions
- Frequently asked questions
Why do English speakers use casual expressions?
You don’t need to be precise every time you speak. Imagine somebody asks:
What time will you be there?
If you know you’ll arrive at exactly 3:00, you can say I’ll be there at three. But perhaps you’ll arrive a little before or after three. In that case, you might say:
I’ll be there at three-ish.
Or somebody asks how much a project might cost, but you only have an early estimate:
Somewhere in the region of €40,000.
This kind of language is sometimes called vague language because you’re deliberately not being completely exact. That doesn’t mean your English is poor. Sometimes an exact answer simply isn’t necessary.
At work, you need to know when vague language is useful and when you should be precise. Three-ish may be perfectly natural when arranging coffee with a colleague. It isn’t a good way to communicate an important deadline.
Let’s look at the expressions one by one.
Approximate times, numbers & descriptionsCasual expressions for approximate times, numbers and descriptions
1Give or take
Meaning: approximately, allowing for a small difference either way. You often use it after a number, amount or period of time.
ExamplesI’ll be there in half an hour, give or take five minutes.
The journey takes about two hours, give or take.
There were 100 people there, give or take a few.
At workThe first part of the meeting should take about 20 minutes, give or take.
We’re expecting around 500 responses, give or take.
Use it carefully at work. Give or take works well when an estimate is genuinely enough. Don’t use it when the other person needs an exact deadline, price or figure.
- Instead ofI’ll send the final report on Friday, give or take a day.SayI’ll send the final report by Friday afternoon.
2-ish
Meaning: approximately or roughly. It’s very common with times, ages, colours and descriptions.
ExamplesCan we meet at three-ish?
He looked forty-ish.
The walls were greenish.
It’s cold-ish today.
At workA: What time shall we have lunch?
B: One-ish? — that sounds perfectly natural between colleagues.
With some words, -ish becomes part of the word, as in greenish or reddish. With numbers and times you’ll often see a hyphen: three-ish, forty-ish. If your manager asks when the figures will be ready, don’t answer Three-ish — when the time matters, give a clear time.
3-y
Meaning: we sometimes add -y to make a description less exact, particularly with colours.
ExamplesThe walls were a kind of yellowy cream.
She was wearing an orangey-red scarf.
The photograph has a slightly bluey colour.
At workCould we make the background a little less yellowy?
These words are informal — you’ll hear them far more in conversation than in formal writing. Don’t assume you can add -y to every colour: blackish and whitish are much more natural than blacky or whitey. If you’re writing technical specifications or giving exact brand colours, use the precise colour instead.
4Somewhere in the region of
Meaning: approximately. This one is less casual than many of the others — which makes it especially useful when you’re discussing money, numbers, quantities and estimates at work.
ExamplesWe’re looking for a house somewhere in the region of €250,000.
There were somewhere in the region of 20,000 people at the event.
At workThe initial cost will be somewhere in the region of €30,000.
We’d need somewhere in the region of six weeks to complete the first stage.
This is ideal when you have a reasonable estimate but don’t yet have an exact figure.
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Casual expressions when you don’t need to explain everything
5Stuff / stuff like that
Meaning: a very common informal word for things in general. It’s uncountable, so we don’t normally say stuffs.
ExamplesI need to clear all this stuff out of the cupboard.
We talked about films, holidays and stuff like that.
I’ve got all my camera stuff in this bag.
At workI’ve got a couple of reports, some figures and stuff like that to finish before the call.
That’s normal informal spoken English with colleagues. In an important email or presentation, it’s usually better to name what you mean.
- Instead ofWe still need the figures and stuff like that.SayWe still need the figures, the revised forecast and the final cost estimate.
6Something like that
Meaning: use it when you’re giving a general example or idea rather than an exact one.
ExamplesI might make pasta or rice, something like that.
She works in marketing or communications, something like that.
At workCould you prepare a short update for the meeting? Costs, timings, main risks, something like that.
We’ll probably need a short introductory call first, something like that.
This is useful when the exact details haven’t been decided yet.
7Sort of / kind of
Meaning: both can show that something is only partly true, difficult to describe exactly, or somewhere between two things.
ExamplesIt was kind of strange.
He looked sort of tired.
The colour is sort of blue, but not quite.
At workWe’re sort of between the testing stage and the final launch.
It’s kind of difficult to give an exact figure until we have the supplier’s price.
Both are natural in conversation, but don’t use them in every sentence. In an important update, too much sort of and kind of can make you sound uncertain.
- Sounds uncertainWe’re sort of having a few problems with the deadline.ClearWe have a problem with the deadline. We need another three days.
8Something along those lines
Meaning: use it when you have a general idea in mind, but the exact wording or details can change. This is a very useful expression at work.
ExamplesJust tell him we’re going to be late and explain why, something along those lines.
They’re looking for a small house outside the city, three bedrooms, a bit of garden, something along those lines.
At workCould you send the client a short explanation of the delay and the new date, something along those lines?
I was thinking of a short presentation followed by questions, something along those lines.
It’s ideal during planning and brainstorming: you can suggest the general direction without claiming every detail has already been decided.
9This and that / this, that and the other
Meaning: use this and that when you mean several different things that aren’t important enough to list individually.
ExamplesWe talked about this and that over lunch.
I spent Saturday doing this and that around the house.
At workI’ve been sorting out this and that before tomorrow’s meeting.
This, that and the other has a similar meaning, but can suggest lots of unimportant details — She spent the whole evening telling me about work, her neighbours and this, that and the other. Be careful with it when you’re talking about somebody else’s work: it can sound as if you think the details aren’t important.
10Bits and pieces
Meaning: a mixture of small things, jobs or details. Particularly common in British and Irish English.
ExamplesI’ve got a few bits and pieces left to pack.
I picked up a few bits and pieces at the supermarket.
I’m just finishing a few bits and pieces around the house.
At workI’ve got a few bits and pieces to finish before the meeting.
There are still a few bits and pieces we need to sort out before we send the final version.
It’s informal, but completely natural with colleagues.
Do you use English at work?
Casual conversation is only one part of workplace English. You may also need to ask for clarification, answer an unexpected question, join a meeting or write an email without sounding too direct.
Choose a free guide, quiz or tool for the situation you need help with.
Explore free Business English resources →What to say when you forget a word in English
One of the most useful reasons to learn casual expressions is very simple: sometimes you know exactly what you mean, but you can’t remember one English word. You don’t have to stop speaking. You can describe the object, explain what it does, or give the listener enough information to help you find the word.
Here are three expressions you’ll often hear.
11What’s-her-name / what’s-his-name
Meaning: use it when you’ve forgotten somebody’s name and you think the other person will know who you mean.
ExamplesYou know what’s-her-name, the woman who works downstairs?
I ran into what’s-his-name from accounts yesterday.
In fast speech, these can sound more like whatshername and whatshisname. They’re very informal, and calling somebody what’s-her-name in a professional situation can sound careless or dismissive. A safer way to recover the name:
- Can sound dismissiveI ran into what’s-her-name from accounts.More respectfulI can’t remember her name — the woman in accounts who helped us last week.
12Thingy
Meaning: an informal word for an object when you don’t know or can’t remember its name.
ExamplesCould you pass me that thingy we use to open the wine?
Where’s the thingy for putting the shelf up?
I need that little thingy that connects these two parts.
At workWhere’s that thingy for connecting the laptop to the screen? — fine with a colleague you know well.
People genuinely use thingy, but it’s very informal. With a client, in a presentation or when explaining a technical problem, describe the object instead:
- Too informalWhere’s that thingy for the laptop?ClearerI can’t remember the word — it’s the small adapter we use to connect the laptop to the screen.
13Yoke
Meaning: an Irish English word for a thing, object or device when you don’t know its name or don’t think the name matters.
ExamplesPass me that yoke there.
She bought some fancy yoke for making coffee.
What’s that yoke supposed to do?
You’ll hear this in Ireland, but it’s regional and very informal. If you work with people from different countries, don’t expect everybody to understand it — use thing, device, machine, or describe what the object does instead.
Useful phrases when the word won’t come
You don’t need a special vocabulary word every time you forget something. These simple sentences can keep you speaking:
- I can’t remember the word, but it’s the thing you use to…
- What’s the word for it? The small piece that connects…
- It’s a kind of [general word].
- You know the one I mean, the file we used last week.
- I can’t remember his name. The person from IT who helped us yesterday.
These are often better than thingy at work, because you’re still giving the listener useful information.
At workCan you use casual English at work?
Yes, but the situation matters. You don’t need to sound formal every time you speak to a colleague — real workplace conversations contain plenty of informal and approximate language. The problem comes when the other person needs precise information.
| Situation | Natural English | Better when precision matters |
|---|---|---|
| Rough meeting length | It should take 20 minutes, give or take. | The meeting is scheduled for 20 minutes. |
| Early budget estimate | Somewhere in the region of €30,000. | The approved budget is €30,000. |
| Informal meeting time | Shall we meet at three-ish? | The meeting starts at 3:00. |
| General idea | A short update on costs and timings, something along those lines. | Please include costs, timings and the revised deadline. |
| Small tasks | I’ve got a few bits and pieces to finish. | I still need to check the figures and update the final slide. |
| Forgotten object | Where’s that thingy for the projector? | Where’s the adapter for the projector? |
If the exact information matters to the other person, be exact. If you’re chatting, estimating, brainstorming or describing something informally, casual expressions can make your English sound much more natural.
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Casual English in real workplace conversations
Anna: How long do you think the first stage will take?
Mark: Somewhere in the region of six weeks, give or take a few days. We’re still waiting for the final data.
Anna: Okay. Let’s use six weeks for the initial plan and update it once we have the figures.
Here, somewhere in the region of and give or take work because Mark is clearly giving an estimate.
Manager: What do you want Sophie to prepare for Thursday?
Magda: Just a short update. Costs, timing, the main risks, something along those lines.
Manager: Fine. I’ll ask her to keep it to five slides.
Magda doesn’t need to dictate every detail. She only wants to explain the general idea.
Sven: Are you ready for the meeting?
Hans: Almost. I’ve just got a few bits and pieces to finish.
Sven: Anything I can help with?
Hans: No, it’s fine. I just need to check the figures and add one slide.
Bits and pieces works naturally here because Hans is speaking informally. When Sven asks for more, Hans explains exactly what remains.
Listen to the lesson
Prefer listening? In episode 534 of Speak Better English with Harry, Harry explains these natural expressions and shows how they work in spoken English.
Listen while you’re travelling, walking or practising your listening, then come back to the examples above.
Practise these casual English expressions
Choose the expression that fits each situation. Cover the answer, try it yourself, then check.
1. A meeting will last approximately 30 minutes
It should take half an hour, give or take.
2. Arranging an informal coffee at around 3:00
Shall we meet at three-ish?
3. Your manager asks for an early budget estimate
We’re looking at somewhere in the region of €50,000.
4. Someone should prepare a general overview, content undecided
A short summary of the costs, timeline and main issues, something along those lines.
5. You have several small jobs left before you finish
I’ve just got a few bits and pieces to finish.
6. You forget the English word for a piece of equipment
I can’t remember the word, but it’s the device we use to connect the laptop to the screen.
You don’t need the exact word immediately. Give the listener enough information to understand you and keep going.
Quick reviewQuick reference: 13 natural casual expressions
Here are all 13 expressions again, with a note on using each at work.
| Expression | Use it for | At work |
|---|---|---|
| give or take | rough numbers or time | Useful when an estimate is enough |
| -ish | approximate time, age or description | Informal, good with colleagues |
| -y | an approximate colour or description | Mostly everyday and informal |
| somewhere in the region of | approximate amounts or numbers | Very useful for estimates |
| stuff / stuff like that | general things | Informal |
| something like that | a general example or idea | Useful in conversation |
| sort of / kind of | uncertainty or a partial description | Natural, but don’t overuse |
| something along those lines | a general idea or direction | Very useful at work |
| this and that | different unimportant things | Informal |
| bits and pieces | small mixed things or tasks | Common with colleagues |
| what’s-her-name / what’s-his-name | a forgotten person’s name | Very informal |
| thingy | a forgotten object | Very informal |
| yoke | an unnamed object in Irish English | Regional and informal |
Don’t try to learn all 13 expressions at once. Choose two or three that fit situations you actually have, practise saying them aloud, then use them in a real conversation.
If you often stop because you can’t remember one word, practise the phrases that help you describe what you mean. If you use English at work, pay particular attention to give or take, somewhere in the region of, something like that, something along those lines and bits and pieces.
The aim isn’t to make every sentence vague. It’s to know how to keep speaking naturally when an exact word or exact detail isn’t necessary.
Frequently asked questions about casual English expressions
What are casual expressions in English?
Casual expressions are words and phrases people use in normal, relaxed conversations rather than formal writing or very formal situations.
Examples include kind of, bits and pieces, give or take and something like that.
What is vague language in English?
Vague language is language that isn’t completely exact.
I’ll be there at seven-ish. / There were 50 people or so. / We need a short report, something along those lines.
The speaker gives enough information for the situation without giving an exact answer.
What can I say when I forget a word in English?
Keep speaking and describe what you mean. You can say:
- I can’t remember the word, but it’s the thing you use to…
- It’s a kind of…
- What’s the word for it? The thing that…
This is usually better than stopping the conversation while you search for one word.
Is “kind of” informal?
Yes. Kind of is common in spoken English and informal writing.
It’s fine in many conversations with colleagues, but it can make you sound uncertain if you use it too often in meetings or presentations.
Is “-ish” correct English?
Yes. -ish is very common in informal English.
seven-ish / forty-ish / greenish / cold-ish
When time or another detail needs to be exact, don’t use -ish.
Can I use “something along those lines” at work?
Yes. It’s a natural expression for explaining a general idea, suggestion or direction.
We could send them a short update explaining the delay and the new date, something along those lines.
It’s particularly useful when you’re discussing an idea before all the details have been agreed.
What does “yoke” mean in Irish English?
In informal Irish English, yoke can mean an object or thing when the speaker doesn’t know, can’t remember or doesn’t need to use its exact name.
It’s regional, so people outside Ireland may not understand it in this sense.
Need help using natural English when you speak?
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In a free trial lesson, we’ll listen to your English, correct the problems that are getting in your way and show you what to work on next.
Book your free trial lesson →Related English lessons
If this lesson was useful, these will help you sound more natural and keep conversations going.
- Everyday English: Using Vague Language Naturally Use it for more ways to speak less precisely in natural English.
- Essential Phrases for Small Talk in English Use it for natural small talk with colleagues, clients and other people you meet.
- How to Ask for Clarification in English Use it when you need someone to explain or repeat something more clearly.
- 39 Natural English Phrases for Better Communication Use it for everyday phrases that help you sound more natural when speaking English.
- English Phrases for Meetings Use it for joining discussions, asking questions and speaking more clearly in meetings.