Learn natural casual expressions in English and sound more natural when speaking English.
This lesson is perfect for intermediate and advanced learners who want to feel more confident in real-life situations. If you often stop or hesitate when you can’t find the right word, this lesson will help. Build fluency. Speak more easily. Understand native speakers better.
Listen to the podcast Speak Better English with Harry or watch it on YouTube at Learn English with Harry. englishclass101
List of English Expressions
Natural Casual Expressions in English
Harry
When native speakers forget a word or want to avoid giving a direct answer, they don’t stop — they use natural casual expressions. These short, everyday phrases help you keep the conversation going without sounding unsure.
In this post, you’ll learn how to use some of the most common vague expressions that English speakers use in daily life. They’re especially helpful for non-native speakers who want to sound fluent, even when the exact word doesn’t come to mind.
improve english on a budget
Online English Courses from €7.99
give or take
Use it when you want to show an estimate or an approximate amount
Examples:
I’d probably be finished in a few hours, give or take a few minutes.
The dinner will be ready in a couple of hours, give or take a few minutes.
I’ll be ready in 20 minutes, give or take.
I’ll come to your party, of course. I’ll be there around 9:00, give or take a few minutes.
stuff (like that)
Use it when you’re talking about things in general and don’t want to name everything
Examples:
Mum, he touched my stuff. I told him to leave it alone.
I donated a few old jackets, a couple of books, an old lamp, stuff like that. Just things I wasn’t using anymore.
Natural Casual Expressions in English
something like that
Use it when you’re not sure of the exact thing or want to speak generally
Examples:
Can you prepare a quick update for the meeting? Projections, sales figures, something like that.
I’m not sure yet. Might throw together a pasta, or maybe some rice and veg. Something like that.
-ish (suffix)
(for example blackish, fortyish, dampish)
Use it when you want to be vague or non-specific about colour, age, or condition
Examples:
I don’t remember the exact colour. I think it was blackish.
I saw a coat here last week. It was sort of blackish, maybe dark grey.
He looked like he was in his 40-ish. It’s hard to be specific, but somewhere around that.
It’s not properly raining, just dampish. You need to have a jacket because it feels a bit chilly out.
The place looked fine, but it felt a bit dampish. I couldn’t see any signs on the walls or anything, but I’m not so sure.
-y (suffix)
Use it when you want to make a word more informal, often to describe colour, texture, or a general feeling
Examples:
The walls were a kind of yellowy cream colour. Not too bright.
She was wearing an orangey scarf. Sort of between orange and red.
✅ bluey, yellowy, orangey
❌ blacky, whitey
sort of / kind of
Use it when you want to soften what you’re saying or express uncertainty
Example:
He looked kind of old, sort of heavy, and a bit old-fashioned. Maybe the way he walked or the clothes he was wearing.
book your trial English Lesson
somewhere in the region of
Use it when you want to give a rough estimate, especially with numbers
Examples:
We’re looking for a house somewhere in the region of 220,000. Three bedrooms would be ideal.
Somewhere in the region of 30,000 euros to start off with, and hopefully I’ll be able to get some increase over time.
There were somewhere in the region of 20,000 people at the concert. It was absolutely packed.
Somewhere in the region of 200,000 people were on the streets demonstrating against the the government’s recent plan.
something along those lines
Use it when you’re giving a general idea rather than exact words or actions
Examples:
Just explain it in your own way. Say we’re expanding, there’s a new partnership, something along those lines.
They asked what the project was about. I said improving efficiency, cutting costs, something along those lines.
this and that / this, that and the other
Use it when you mean a few random or unimportant things
Examples:
I didn’t do much today, just this and that around the house.
We talked about this and that over lunch.
He was sorting through some papers and this and that in the attic.
She’s been busy with work, family, and this, that and the other.
Natural Casual Expressions in English
whatsername/whatsisname
Use it when you’ve forgotten someone’s name but think the listener will know who you mean
Example:
You know whatsername, the one in admin on the fourth floor? She’s always really helpful if you’ve got a problem.
I ran into whatsisname the other day. You know, the guy from accounts.
bits and pieces
Use it when you’re talking about small, mixed items — nothing important on its own
Examples:
I’m just doing a bit of a spring clean. Getting rid of a few bits and pieces I don’t really need anymore.
I packed most of the big stuff yesterday. Just got a few bits and pieces left to sort out today.
I donated a few bits and pieces to the charity shop. Old kitchen stuff, some clothes, that sort of thing.
I went through the cupboards and gave away some bits and pieces I hadn’t used in years.
thingy
Use it when you can’t remember or don’t want to name an object directly
Examples:
Could you pass me that thingy we use for opening the wine?
Could you pass me that thingy for the shelf? The bit that fixes it to the wall.
Where’s that thingy that measures stuff? You know, the tape measure.
yoke 🇮🇪
Use it when you want to refer to an object or thing whose name you either don’t know, can’t remember, or don’t think is important
Examples:
He was carrying some yoke under his arm. I’ve no idea what it was for.
She bought this fancy yoke for making coffee. Cost a fortune, whatever it does.
Learning natural casual expressions in English can make a real difference to your fluency. These everyday phrases help you speak more easily, especially when you’re not sure of the exact word.
Try adding a few of these into your conversations. They’ll help you sound more relaxed, more fluent, and more confident.
Thanks for watching and listening. If you need help, contact me at englishlessonviaskype.com See you in the next lesson!
speak better English with Harry podcast- episode 534
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
