Colloquial phrases and

sentences of English
Saying hello and goodby
- Have a good one (when leaving)
- Take care
- Catch you later
- Gotta dash (Ive gotta go)
- Im off out for the evening (going out for the evening)
Asking how someone is
How are things?
How have you been?
Whats up (answer: nothing much)
What have you been up to lately? (answer: nothing much)
Where are you off to? (answer where you are going)
What are you up today? (answer: not much)

Saying how you are

- Cant complain.
- Same as always.

Saying thank you

Thanks a million
I cant thank you enough
I owe you one (when you want to do something in return)
Cheers!
Nice one! (for instance when door is held open)

Responding to thank you

Dont mention it
My pleasure
Anytime
Sure!
No worries
Glad to help

Introductions

- Like wise (response to nice to meet you/its a pleasure to meet you)

- And you (response to nice to meet you/its a pleasure to meet you)

Ending a conversation

I should get going

Im sorry to cut you off, but
Talk to you later.
The phone is cutting out (bad connection)

Saying I dont know

- I cant help you there

- Beats me (informal)

Asking for someones opinion and giving your opinion

How do you feel about?

Id say
If you ask me,
The way I see it,
As far as I can see,
You can take it from me that = je kan van me aannemen dat
As I see it,
Let me put it this/another way,
Personally speaking,
It seems to me that
There can be no doubt that
The point that Im trying to make is,

Giving your opinion

- By the looks of it, (from what I can see)

- Ive had it up to here with (Im completely fed up with)

Not having an opinion

Ive never given it too much thought

I dont have strong feelings either way
I have no opinion on the matter
Whatever (informal)
I dont mind

Agreeing

I couldnt agree with you more

Tell me about it! (informal)
Youre telling me! (informal)
Ill say! (informal)
I suppose so (reluctant agreement)
How very true
Thats just it
Youve got a good point there
Marvellous
Im all in favour of what youve been saying.

Qualified agreement

Yes, perhaps, but

I agree up to a certain point but
I dont think its as simple as that
You might be right there
Yes, possibly, although
Yes, up to a point / in a way
Theres another aspect to consider

Disagreeing

- On the contrary
- No way (informal)

Commenting on what other people say

- You must be joking (=absolutely not)

- Speak for yourself (it might be true for you, but not for me)
- Look whos talking (Youre criticising something that you do yourself)

Asking someone to hurry up

- Look lively = hurry up

- Chop chop
- Get a move on!

Responding to bad news

- Poor you

Inviting

- Are you free?

- Are you doing anything?
- Id love to, but I have another commitment

Talking about future plans

- I hope to

Talking about likes and dislikes

I live for
is my thing
Im crazy about.
I dont really care for

Describing relationships

- Im windowed.
- Im not quite over my ex.

Asking for clarification

- Im not sure I follow you

- I didnt quite get that
-

Checking if the other person understands you

- Are you with me so far?

Asking for help

Could you give me a hand?

Could you spare a couple minutes?
Would you like a hand with that?
Are you all right with that (= do you need help) (answer: Im fine, yes please)
Have you got a on you? (do you have a )

Asking someone else to do something

- Id appreciate if you could

Interrupting someone

- Could I jump in here?

- May I have a word (formal)?

Encouraging someone

Youve almost got it.

Youre on the right track
That was a nice try (good effort, but failed)
Hang in there (=dont give up)
Give it your best shot (= best try)

Remembering, Reminding, Forgetting

Ill always remember / Ill never forget

As far as I can recall
I have a vague recollection of
Its on the tip of my tongue
My mind went blank
It completely slipped my mind (forgot)

Saying something is easy or difficult

Its a cinch
Its a breeze
Anyone can do it
Theres nothing to it
Its a bit tricky
Its really tough
Its not a walk in the park
Its very demanding

Talking about age

Shes in her early twenties / late thirties

Act your age (when an adult is being immature)
Hes wise beyond his years (someone is young, but has the wisdom of an older person)
Im having a senior moment (being forgetful)

Shopping

Im just browsing = looking casually.

Is this on sale?
Can I try it on?
Ill take it
Do you take credits cards?
Id like to return / exchange this.
Im looking for a sweater in size medium
Id rather have it in blue
Were running low on (= we dont have much of [milk])
Keep the change!

Talking about work

- Im up to my ears in it = Im really busy

- Im a bit tied up at the moment [with] (= busy at the moment)
- Ive got my hands full [with] (= busy at the moment)
-

Cinema

- Would you mind moving over one, so my friend and I can sit together.

Talking about food

Im starving
Lets grab a bite to eat
How about eating out tonight? = going to a restaurant
Could I have another helping of (potatoes)? Another helping = another portion.
Ill have (ordering in a restaurant)
Could we get the check, please?
Im full /Im satisfied.
Im stuffed (I ate a lot, too much)
Im ready to order
Im good, thanks (No, thanks)

Calling for help

- That car just ran a red light.

Cooking

The recipe calls for flour, sugar and butter.

You can find it in the refrigerated section in the store.
Theyre in aisle 10
Lets meet at the checkout

Postoffice

- Id like to sent it priority

- Your total comes to (amount).

Talking about TV

Wheres the remote?

Is there anything good on?
Can I change the channel?
This is a rerun (= old episode)
Stop channel-surfing (= changing the channel quickly)

Airport

Do you have any bags to check?

This one, is there a fee?
Im taking the red eye
Youll be at gate 23
Would you like a window seat or an aisle seat?
Your flight
- leaves from gate 15.
- is now boarding

has been delayed

has been canceled
My flight was overbooked
I was jet-lagged
My hotel was in a seedy area (unsafe)
I was mugged (robbed on the street)
I got the runs (diarrhoea).
The place was a tourist trap.

Talking about price

It costs a fortune
It costs an arm and a leg
Thats a rip-off (over-priced)
Thats a bit pricey.
Thats reasonable.
It was a real bargain
It was dirt cheap (extremely cheap)

Talking about hot weather

Its nice and warm today

Its absolutely boiling!
The sun is strong today
Its hot and humid.

Talking about cold weather

Its a little chilly

The temperature is dropping
Make sure to bundle up (= put on warm clothes)
Were expecting some winter weather.
I thought this cold front was supposed to pass. (cold front = large mass of cold air)
I guess the wind chill is driving down the temperature (driving down = bringing down)
I feel the chill
My toes are starting to go numb

Talking about rain

Its drizzling (raining lightly)

Its pouring (raining heavily)
I got caught in a downpour
I think the rains letting up = getting lighter and stopping.

Saying youre tired

Im dead tired.
Im pooped.
Im spent
Im beat.
Im running on empty.
I can hardly keep my eyes open.
Im off to bed.
Im gonna hit the sack (hit the sack = go to bed)
Its bedtime for me.

Excuses for being late

I overslept.
My alarm didnt go off.
I had to wait ages for a bus
I couldnt find a parking spot
I was tied up in a meeting (tied up = occupied, impossible to escape)
I just lost track of time

Saying someone is correct

- Thats spot on
- Youve nailed it!
- I suppose so.

Saying someone is wrong

Im afraid thats not quite right.

Youre mistaken
Youve got it wrong
No, thats all wrong
Baloney / bullshit (informal - rude)

Saying someone is smart

- Shes really sharp

- Shes very bright
- hes a smart cookie

Avoiding to answer a question

No comment
Im not at liberty to say.
Wait and see.
Let me get back to you
Im sorry, thats confidential/personal
Id rather not talk about it

Saying youre rich or poor

Im short on cash
My bank account is overdrawn.
Theyre just scraping by (barely surviving on little money)
He makes a minimum wage (minimum salary)
Hes quite well off
Shes making a killing

Talking about statistics

the rate rose / went up / dropped
There was a sharp increase in crime / decrease
There was a spike in crime = sudden increase and then decrase
There was a gradual rise in crime
The crime rate plummeted (decreased a lot, quickly)

Saying someone is talented

- She was born to
- Hes a natural
- He knows it inside and out.

- I know London like the back of my hand.

Telling someone to wait
Hang on a sec.
hold on..
bear with me.
let me get back to you
Ill be with you in a tick

Time phrases
- Have you got the time?
- Its just gone (its just past) for instance: its just gone five thirty.
Asking someone to be quiet
- Put a sock in it
- Shut it = shut up

Estimating and guessing

If I had to take a guess, Id say
Off the top of my head, Id say (= what I remember without checking the statistics).
Theres a good change that
I have a feeling/hunch (=instinctive feeling)
I bet
your guess is a s good as mine (I dont know)

Decisions
Im debating between.
I cant make up my mind
Im on the fence (Im in the middle)
Ill take that into consideration
Im having second thoughts (reconsidering my decision).
Looking back

Good luck and bad luck

Better luck next time.
Just my luck (sarcastic meaning that something unlucky happened)
Some people have all the luck
As luck would have it. (by chance)
Hes down on his luck (long period of bad luck or difficulty)
No such luck (something good could have happened, didnt happen)
What rotten luck!

Worries and relief

I cant help thinking that
Its been keeping me up at night
What if
Thank goodness
You had me worried for a moment
Thats a huge load off my mind.

Talking about the future

Itll happen any time now.
Its around the corner
in the near future
Its a sign / taste of things to come.

Im counting down the days until

Its bound to happen eventually.
Ill get around to it (I will do it in the future, dont know when)
Ill do it right away = Ill get right on it
Time will tell

Certainty and probability

Im positive that
I have no doubt that
Chances are that (will probably happen)
Odds are that (will probably happen)
I seriously doubt it
Its not very likely.
Theres not much chance of that
I wouldnt bet on it.

Saying something is boring or interesting

I couldnt put it down (for an interesting book)
I was so into it, I lost track of time.
It does nothing to me
I was bored to tears /death
I was dying of boredom

Cheering someone up
Whats the matter?
You look a little bit down.
Cheer up / chin up!
Look on the bright side
its not the end of the world.

Expressing disappointment
What a shame.
How disappointing
Bummer.
it was a real letdown.
It didnt live up to my expectations.

Saying you dont believe someone

- Youre kidding
- Youre pulling my leg
- Thats a bit of an exaggeration
- Hes stretching the truth.
- Shes being economical with the truth.
- His story is fishy.
- Thats an outright lie.
- Thats a pack of lies.
Expressions for bad people

- Hes a pervert (sexual tendencies)

- Hes a sicko
- Hes a scumbag
Describing speaking

- He mumbled (not clearly speaking)

- My kids whined (complained)
- He rambled / He went on and on (talked too much without stopping)
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- He muttered (low voice, complaings/negative comments)

Facial expressions
She was beaming (big smile)
He looked puzzled (confused)
She grinned (Small smile)
He winced when the doctor gave him an injection (quick expression of pain)
she gave me a dirty look (looking angrily)
She blushed (face turned red)
Why the long face? = someone looks upset or sad.
Her expression was unreadable = dont know what someone is feeling).

Offending or upsetting people

- He dissed her

Drinking (alcohol)
Its on me.
Heres to (a toast here).
Another round of drinks, please.
Put it on my tab = bill to pay later
Hes a bit tipsy (a little bit drunk)
Hes completely sloshed/wasted/plastered) (completely drunk)
Shes trying to drown her sorrows.
Im the designated driver (not driving because you will drive others home later)
I had a hangover / I was hung over

General
by any chance.
Rush hour.
What a coincidence.
driving down = forcing to be lower
Sure thing = Okay.
Tie the know = get married
Stick with = blijven bij
Im having a blast.
join
Could you? Answer: will do
You might as well
Good call! Ill try that.
Im crazy about (= I love)
Ok, youre all set
heads or tails (head is face side)

Asking for a haircut

- How much are we taking off today?

- Lets give it a wash first.
Bumping into someone one the street

- I didnt expect to run into you.

- Where are you headed?
- Im off to (=Im going to)

At the doctors office

- Ill write you a referral for a physical therapist to get it checked out.

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Giving directions

- Walk down these stairs / head down these stairs

- go around the corner
Saying yes / hospitality

- Be my guest (of course - you can do something) for instance when asked if he/she can take the
newspaper

- help yourself (= Take one)

- Make yourself at home
Buying things:
Packet / bag of crisps
Whole-weat loaf = volkoren brood
fifty p = fifty pence = cent
underground / tube = metro
wait your turn = wacht op je beurt
straight ahead= straight on
walk along this street = loop door deze straat
turn left into street.
referee = scheidsrechter
goggles = zwembril
stand still = sta still
What happened to you over the holidays? = Wat is er met je gebeurd tijdens de vakantie?
catch up with = inhalen
wheat = tarwe
is she hurt?
Shes got spots = ze heeft puistjes
Ive just got a rash = ik heb gewoon uitslag
Ive got a bruise = ik heb een blauwe plek
He couldnt wiggle his toes
you must take these tablets
It will be hot and sunny on the coast = aan de kust
there is a good chance that
leren fewer/less /few
organ donors
it will get out of hand = uit de hand lopen
it looks like those trains are going to crash into each other = tegen elkaar botsen
Since when have they known how to drive? = sinds wanneer kunnen ze autorijden?
Ive fallen from my bike
arguing = ruziemaken
my car is wrecked = kapot
smoking is not permitted in this building / allowed
at weekends I go shopping/bowling
for a change = voor de verandering
I sure would = dat zou ik zeker
Ive already eaten
Michael Jackson sounds smashing! = geweldig
She sings extremely beautifully
So can her sister = haar zus ook.
So did he hij ook
Neither does her brother = haar broer ook niet
It hasnt always been popular. Nor has jump style. = Jump style ook niet.
wanneer nor en neither
this radio station is not on air tonight = wordt niet uitgezonden
which one do you like best?

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