You've probably heard these English expressions before.
"Break a leg!"
"Knock on wood"
"Burning the midnight oil"
Whether it was from watching English movies, a podcast, or your English speaking friend. Expressions and idioms are what make up the uniqueness of each language. It's almost like an insider club, because only those that speak the language understand it.Why? Because these phrases don't translate directly, and you're required to learn them one by one.
For instance, whoever tells you to 'break a leg' doesn't actually want you to break a leg. It means the opposite, because it's a way to express good luck to you. Strange right?
Well, you're about to find out 19 other English expressions that are not only useful, but it'll help you sound like a native speaker.
19 English Expressions For ESL Students to Sound Fluent
We can't promise that you'll suddenly talk like a native English speaker after learning these, but it's a shortcut to getting there. More importantly, it will help you sound confident when you speak English.
1. Hit the sack
Meaning: Going to bed
When to use it: This expression is just another way to tell someone that you're going to bed. Usually it's a way to share that you're pretty tired and you're ready to 'hit the sack.' Another word that's commonly used in replacement of 'sack' is 'hay'.
2. Piece of cake
Meaning: Easy!
When to use it: English speakers love their cakes, and taking a piece of one is a no-brainer. Although let's face it, you don't have to speak English for this. When a task you've completed was incredibly easy, you can say 'piece of cake!'
3. Feeling under the weather
Meaning: Not feeling good
When to use it: When you're sick or feeling ill for whatever reason. It's a generalized and politer way to express that you're sick, because you won't have to go into detail of why you or someone else is sick.
When someone asks: 'Hey, how come Jim couldn't make it to class today?', instead of being descriptive with 'Jim had a stomachache', you can be more general and say, 'Jim's feeling under the weather today.'
Most people understand what that means and would be respectful to not ask further, unless you volunteer more information.
4. Cross that bridge when I get to it
Meaning: We'll wait until we get there to solve the issue
When to use it: Say you foresee any issue or potential problem down the road, but you don't want to (or don't think it's worth it to) solve it now. Using this expression is a way to share that you'll solve it in the future when it comes up. Sure, it's a bit of a lazier approach to solving issues, but we can't resolve everything we want right?
5. Your guess is as good as mine
Meaning: I have no idea
When to use it: Usually when someone asks you a question, it implies that they don't know the answer. By letting someone know that their guess is good as yours, it says that you also don't know the answer. Perhaps it's not as blatant as saying 'I don't know' and adds some color to your lack of knowledge!
6. Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours
Meaning: Do this for me, and I'll help you out too
When to use it: No, this doesn't involve a massage or actually scratching anyone's back. But if we were to visualize, you can imagine what this means right? The way to use this expression is normally when you're trying to convince someone to do you a favor. By them helping you with something, you're letting them know that you'll do something for them in return.
Everyone needs to be convinced of doing something right?
7. Cat got your tongue?
Meaning: Are you speechless?
When to use it: We have no idea why the cat is being used here, as most cats are very loving. Technically we could replace cat with nearly any animal and it would mean the same thing.Say you're watching your friend approach a very beautiful girl, but he completely freezes up. When he returns to your group, you can tease him by asking if the cat got his tongue.
8. Hold your horses!
Meaning: Hold up!
When to use it: You'd think this expression was created way back in the day when people rode horses instead of vehicles. Visually speaking, this is a far more illustrative way to tell someone to slow down.
9. Like a million bucks!
Meaning: Feeling amazing!
When to use it: The most common way to tell someone you feel like a million bucks is when they ask you how you're feeling. If you're feeling better than you've ever felt, this is a hyperbolic way to express that.
10. Don't judge a book by its cover
Meaning: Don't make judgements by what you see
When to use it: Let's face it. Most of us will buy or read a book based on how the cover looks. The same analogy applies to the cover image of a movie or TV show on Netflix, which is why the streaming service experiments so much with it. In English, this means not to assume anything based on what's on the outside. It could be referring to a:
- Person who looks a certain way (poor clothing with holes), but they may actually be wealthy
- Restaurant that looks dirty, but they may serve the most authentic food in the market
- Product that has very nice packaging, but it may lack functionality compared to others
11. Call it a day
Meaning: I'm done for today
When to use it: Similar to 'hitting the sack', when you're done working, you can tell someone that you're 'calling it a day'. Ironic, because usually it'll be evening or night time by the time you're using this.
12. As cool as cucumber
Meaning: Calm and collected
When to use it: I guess since cucumbers are usually cool and kept in the refrigerator this is an analogy that makes sense. To stay cool as a cucumber means that under a serious or surprising situation, you remain calm and 'cool'.
13. You can say that again
Meaning: I agree
When to use it: This expression is normally a response to someone when you agree with what they're saying. It's sort of like saying 'I double that' or 'Ditto', a short statement to show someone that you're on the same page with them. And it's something fairly obvious that you say in passing.
14. Pull someone's leg
Meaning: To joke with someone
When to use it: Another direct translation that makes zero sense, similar to break a leg. To pull someone's leg means that you're joking around with them. Say you play a prank on someone, and they react way too seriously. You can say 'dude, relax! I'm just pulling your leg.'
15. To make a long story short
Meaning: In short
When to use it: No one likes a babbler that tells long stories without a punchline or worse yet, without any build up. If you want to avoid people yawning in front of your face, let them know the point of your story. Rule of thumb, it's always a good idea in our short-attention span age to keep your point short and sweet.
16. Dip my toe into the pool
Meaning: To try it out
When to use it: When you're trying to tell someone that you'll try it out, with no expectations of continuing. For example, your friend is trying to convince you to join this class online, but you don't think it's a good fit for you. Instead of hurting their feelings, you can let them know that you'll dip your toe into the pool, before joining full-time.To really give you a visual image to remember, here's Megan Fox dipping her toe in a pool.
17. Out of my hands
Meaning: Out of control
When to use it: When you're in a situation that's out of your hands, it's a way of saying that you're no longer in control. In some ways, it's used to put less pressure on yourself when someone is asking for a personal favor.
18. On the ball
Meaning: You're in control
When to use it: The opposite of something 'out of your hands' is when you're 'on the ball'. It means you've got things in control, and you're on it.
19. Go Dutch
Meaning: Split the bill
When to use it: This may not be the best advice when you're on a date, especially a first one. However, if you're with a friend where the situation is appropriate, you can let them know that you want to go dutch. Most people will understand what this means, which is splitting the cost 50/50 if you're with another person, or by 1/3 if you're 3 people.
Put these English Expressions to the test!
Now that you've learned these most common English expressions, it's time to use it in real life. Find an English speaking friend and invite them to dinner or coffee, and see how many of these you can fit in.Better yet, work with a professional teacher on Rype that you can learn from.
They'll put you in a safe environment where you can get immediate feedback and instructions on how to improve your English in every way.
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