phrase expressions Flashcards
How are you getting on?
just another way of saying ‘how are you?’
You doing OK?
asked when the person has had some tough experience recently and you want to ask politely if they’re OK.
Hi, …! What’s new?
this is a very informal way of greeting a close friend or anyone who you see on a regular basis and you want to ask has anything happened since you last met.
Hi, …! What’s up?
the same as above with a difference that you’re probably not that interested in what news the other person might have.
Hi, …! Long time no see!
used when you haven’t seen the person for a long period of time and you want to state that fact in the greeting.
Hi, …! Have you been keeping busy?
just a standard enquiry with little or no direct meaning.
Do you mind me asking…?
a typical way of asking something that might be a slightly personal question.
OK, here’s the thing …
a very handy way to start making your point if you’re not sure how to begin the sentence.
Thanks, I’ve been keeping busy
– just a standard response to a standard greeting with little or no direct meaning.
Thanks for asking, I’m fine, how are you?
a typical response and counter-question to a greeting phrase ‘how are you?’
Hi, how you’re doing! It’s good to see you!
a typical response to a greeting from someone you haven’t seen for a while.
Can’t complain
a response to a standard greeting like ‘How are you?’ It’s not as exciting phrase as ‘Thanks, I’m great!’ but it doesn’t mean you’re having some problems in your life.
Can you say it again, please?
a request to repeat the question if you didn’t understand what was said. This can also be used when the native speaking person speaks a bit too fast – they should get the hint and slow down a bit. But if they don’t, you can ask a more direct question:
Can you slow it down a bit, please?
a request to repeat the question if you didn’t understand what was said. This can also be used when the native speaking person speaks a bit too fast – they should get the hint and slow down a bit. But if they don’t, you can ask a more direct question:
And how about you?
a typical response when you’re not sure what to ask next so you’re asking the other person the same think they asked you. You can respond with this counter-greeting on nearly all standard greetings.
To the best of my knowledge …
when you’re 99% sure about the statement you’re making. Also a good start of a response you want to take a bit more time to consider what you’re going to say.
As far as I know …
when you’re 99% sure about the statement you’re making. Also a good start of a response you want to take a bit more time to consider what you’re going to say.
Good for you!
a response to someone telling you about their success in something or some good news that they’re happy about.
Can’t argue with that
used when you agree with the statement of the other person.
How do you know?
a counter-question you can ask when someone surprises you with a question about something they’re not really expected to know.
That’s a good one!
a surprise response to funny or surprising news from your chat partner.
Really? Tell me more about it!
used when you want your chat partner to tell me about what he/she just said.
Frankly speaking, …
just a way to start your response. It indicates that you’re about to open up and be very honest with your chat partner. A great way of establishing an immediate trust.
Well, to be honest with you, …
just a way to start your response. It indicates that you’re about to open up and be very honest with your chat partner. A great way of establishing an immediate trust.
No problem
a typical response to a small request you’re happy to do. This one is especially used when responding to superiors’ requests and it sounds more enthusiastic than if you simply say ‘sure’ or ‘OK’.
Never mind, it’s fine!
this phrase is used when the person offers to do a favour for you but it’s not really necessary.
Never mind, forget what I just said
this phrase is to be used when you said something that wasn’t important at all but your chat partner wants you to repeat it. You can also use this phrase if you feel that he/she might be slightly annoyed or offended by your question or comment so you want to end it there.
You got me there
this can be said instead of ‘I don’t’ know’ – it will sound more casual and not as defensive as the old ‘I don’t know’!
You got me there. I don’t know.
You got me there. I have no idea what the answer is.
You’ve got to be kidding me!
said when someone tells you something that borders on the unbelievable and you want to express your surprise.
That’s a good question.
a phrase used when you want to take your time to think over the question. This is an ideal phrase to use when you’re stuck but instead of remaining silent you can start your response with this phrase.
Well, how to put it in the right words.
a phrase used when you want to take your time to think over the question. This is an ideal phrase to use when you’re stuck but instead of remaining silent you can start your response with this phrase.
That would be great!
a response to an offer that you’re really happy about.
… you know what I mean?
this is quite an overused phrase but you can definitely use it at the end of a sentence if you want to emphasize what you just said.
You see, the thing is that …
this is how you begin a sentence when you’re asked to explain something.
I’d better be going
followed by a simple phrase like ‘it’s too late’, or ‘have lots to do’ – and indicator you’d like to walk off and finish the conversation.
OK, I’m sorry but I have to leave now!
used when your chat partner has clear intentions of continuing the conversation but you just need to go so you’re making it clear that you need to go.
See you later!
used when you know that you’ll be seeing each other again sometime.
See you around!
used when you know that you’ll be seeing each other again sometime.
Keep in touch!
a good-bye phrase meaning you want the other person to get in touch with you every now and then and that you’ve the same intentions.
It was nice seeing you, take care!
a good-buy phrase used when you know that you won’t see the person for a while.
It’s been good talking to you!
a good-buy phrase used when you know that you won’t see the person for a while.
Hope to see you again!
you can use this phrase when finishing a conversation with someone you’ve just met.
Say hello to …!
a short and handy way of saying to remind someone from you.
See you later!
used when you know that you’ll be seeing each other again sometime.
See you around!
used when you know that you’ll be seeing each other again sometime.
Keep in touch!
a good-bye phrase meaning you want the other person to get in touch with you every now and then and that you’ve the same intentions.
It was nice seeing you, take care!
a good-buy phrase used when you know that you won’t see the person for a while.
It’s been good talking to you!
a good-buy phrase used when you know that you won’t see the person for a while.
Hope to see you again!
you can use this phrase when finishing a conversation with someone you’ve just met.
Say hello to …!
a short and handy way of saying to remind someone from you.
How are you getting on?
just another way of saying ‘how are you?’
give weight to something
Fig. to attach importance to something. I give a lot of weight to your opinion. Kelly gave no weight at all to the comments by Betty.
as opposed to something
in comparison with something — I like pro basketball, as opposed to the college game.
jet lag
I get jet lag for a week after traveling overseas.
Any plan this weekend?
:)
meet the requirements
:)
I can’t help myself
I can’t do anything about that
Don’t take it personally.
:)
hard work and effort
“Hard work” and “effort” are very similar in meaning, but we often use them together anyway. They’re usually said or written in this order, not as “effort and hard work”.
the lack of service
I want to complain about the lack of service I received.
monetary support
You can give monetary support, which means that you will pay for someone to live or do business.
emotional support
Another kind of support is emotional support, which means that you listen to someone’s problems and give helpful advice.
run a business
All the unsuccessful businesses she’s started in the past have taught her a lot about running a business.
have a detrimental effect on
I also know it too well that being an excellent writer can actually have a detrimental effect on your spoken English.
dwell on
I can’t dwell upon this subject anymore.
a complacent attitude
a complacent attitude towards the problem
reality check
It’s time for a reality check. The Bears aren’t as good a team as you think.
a vague idea
The students only had a vague idea of what they were suppos42ed to do.
an average Joe
“Who’s that?”
“Eh, just an average Joe.”
Do you have a pen on you?
:)
(something) is coming up for (something)
My car is up for inspection.
(someone) is being (___ed)
Are you being treated well?
It looks like (something is happening)
Sorry, it looks like we had to reject your loan application.
a quiet little (place)
We found a quiet little street with some cute bookstores and cafés.
(a time) outside (somewhere)
It’s 30 minutes outside of Chicago.
(someone) is talking up a storm
You should have seen him at the wedding. He was dancing up a storm!
eagerly awaiting
I’m a huge fan of Mythbusters and I’m eagerly awaiting every new episode of their show.
hold true
Does this rule hold true all the time? Yes, it holds true no matter what.
pan out
For instance, in one of the episodes they’re testing an English idiom “a bull in a china shop” to see how the situation pans out in real life.
over a longer period of time
I warmly suggest you start doing it! Especially considering how fast your spoken English is going to improve if you keep watching it over a longer period of time!
in store
you can watch the episodes even with not so huge English vocabulary in store
in store (for somebody/something)
We have a big surprise in store for you.
by far
Watching sport was by far the most popular activity on Saturday afternoons.
In so many ways
In so many ways Adam are just like any other guy
run into somebody
I ran into Mike on Seventh Avenue.
when it comes to something
When it comes to fishing, John is an expert. When it comes to trouble, Mary really knows how to cause it.
makes a big difference
that’s something that makes a big difference when it comes to English fluency.
Let’s see how it stacks up!
informal COMPARE used to talk about how good something is compared with something elsestack up against
Take Your Design To The Next Level With CSS3
Ben :)
many a something （many a time = often）
I’ve mentioned this on my blog many a time
make up
phrasal verbs along idiomatic expressions make up a significant part of spoken English
Crank up the volume
to make the sound of something, especially music, louder:
Let’s step it up a gear
to start to work or play more effectively or quickly than before
I think we should scale it up
to increase the amount or size of something:
come in handy
I have to tell you that they’ve come in handy countless times in my English conversations at work.
jot them down
And again – don’t forget to jot them down within a context
make out
you wouldn’t enjoy the Mythbusters show if you couldn’t make out what they’re saying half of the time.
As far as I can make out
As far as I can make out, he has never been married.
at any given time/moment
Unlike listening to music or watching action movies, you have to be quite focused on what’s going on in the show at any given time.
on a regular basis.
you’ll definitely acquire significant relevant vocabulary if you watch Mythbusters on a regular basis.
if you’re anything like me
And if you’re anything like me, you’ll simply enjoy the ability to speak about a wide range of topics and use specific terms to tell your story.
Now it’s time to crunch the numbers
(A typical English collocation meaning to sum up figures).
“Let’s rig up the frame first and then we can see how much more timber we need.”
(A very practical phrasal verb meaning to set up, to erect, to build something).
a whole lot more
Personally I’ve learnt all these and a whole lot more new English words thanks to the Mythbusters show and it has enabled me to talk about technical matters more fluently.
top of everything else (or “on top of it all”)
“I had a very bad day at work. First, I spilled coffee all over my boss. Then, my computer crashed very badly. And after lunch, on top of everything else (or “on top of it all”), my girlfriend called to my office and broke up with me. Can you believe it?”
cheer you up
They’ll cheer you up, and you’ll find it much easier to forget yourself while watching their show which is going to help you ignore the bad emotions within.
right off the bat
When he was learning to ride a bicycle, he fell on his head right off the bat.
Heated debates have sparked
Heated debates have sparked on language learning blogs about efficiency of using flashcards
in terms of something
I don’t know what to do in terms of John’s problem.
it’s got something to do with
It’s actually quite clear from the context alone what the word “to apprehend” means. Apparently it’s got something to do with arresting people, right?
whichever suits you best!
you can also use a piece of software, whichever suits you best!
a good few times
it’s necessary to repeat new words and expressions a good few times before they become part of one’s vocabulary.
lost on you
The joke was completely lost on Chris.
go about
The villagers were going about their business as usual.
most/very likely
I’d very likely have done the same thing in your situation.
something is not to be sniffed at
An 8% salary increase is not to be sniffed at.
bear (something) in mind
Bear in mind that some children will need help.
pick someone or something out
I picked out several large potatoes for the stew.
go the (full) distance
It’s a really tough course - I’m just worried that I won’t be able to go the distance.
reminisce about someone or something
They were reminiscing about their old friends.
burn something into something
Since she already knows she’s getting a ring, there’s wore pressure to surprise her so that moment is burned into her memory forever.
all-inclusive
An all-inclusive vacation cruise
pop the question
So we were having dinner in this Italian restaurant and that’s when he popped the question.
have your eye on something
I’ve got my eye on a really nice sofa - I just hope we can afford it.
A while back
He called me a while back.
where somebody is coming from
At the time, I didn’t really understand where she was coming from, and her poems just seemed odd.
every now and again/then
Every now and then I go to town and spend loads of money.
jump the gun
He shouted at me before I had time to explain, but later he apologised for jumping the gun.
it’s just that
No, I do like Chinese food. It’s just that I’m not hungry.
in the first place
Why did you agree to meet her in the first place?
it is not uncommon for somebody to do something
It is not uncommon for students to have bank loans.
the most likely outcome
Hey Jeffrey, what do you think is the most likely outcome of tonight’s game?
pay closer attention to
If you pay closer attention to other people’s conversations, I’m sure you’ll notice this sort of thing happening all the time, and it’s nothing weird.
delve upon the matter
Repeating the initial question gives them more time to delve upon the matter and come up with an answer;
gain/gather/build up momentum
The show gathered momentum over the next few months and became a huge hit.
it’s no big deal
For a native English speaker it’s no big deal; for us, foreigners, it should serve as an effective tool of learning naturally occurring English speech patterns.
get across
As a coach, I have to get across to the players what I want from them.
to some extent
I can help you understand this to some extent.
(something) is acting up
A: Argh!
B: What’s wrong?
A: My computer is acting up again.
If you could (do something), (which/what/when/etc.) would (clause)
If you could have dinner with anyone throughout history, who would it be?
take off
Nibble-icious trend takes off
get your money’s worth (spoken)
When I see how much I spend on repairs, I wonder if I got my money’s worth with this car.
shed pounds
a diet to help you shed pounds
roll out something
The provider plans to roll out its new Internet access service next month.
have legs
This latest scandal has legs - you’ll probably still be reading about it in a year’s time.
Hit Shelves
iPhone 5 Will Hit Shelves On October 14th In The U.S
ramp up something
They’re launching a new video game to ramp up their profits.
be twice as likely to
Teen girls are twice as likely to use cell phones while driving as teen boys
mixed mind
Nutritionists are of mixed mind.
fetches $9.99
One Cake Bite costs $2.99 and a box of four fetches $9.99
shift gears
also switch gears
I’d like to shift gears now and talk about a personal concern.
wipe someone out
The long walk wiped me out.
take the edge off something
His apology took the edge off her anger.
fool around
Stop fooling around and clean your room as I told you.
bear something out
Her story bears out exactly what you said.
prime time
a prime time entertainment program
off kilter
Sesame Street has long been slightly off kilter humor.
rule of thumb
As a general rule of thumb, children this age should not spend more than one hour on homework.
gold mine
The nightclub turned out to be a goldmine.
conventional wisdom
As traffic grew, the conventional wisdom was to widen the roads.
turn up the heat (on someone or something)
The police turned up the heat on the people who park illegally every day.
a tough decision
In the end I took the tough decision to retire early.
come across
Do you think I come across to people as kind of boring?
kind of (adjective)
I’m kind of shy when it comes to the opposite sex.
be surprised by (something)
It was surprising how easy it was.
I was surprised by how easy it was.
how (adjective) (someone) is
I can’t believe how wet it is.
one after the other
one after another
She ate one chocolate after the other until the box was empty.
by and large
I find that, by and large, people tend to do what they are told to do
without further/more ado
And so, without further ado, let me introduce you to tonight’s speaker.
strike up a conversation
It’s easy to strike up a conversation with someone when you’re traveling.
as you go along
it is possible to speak spontaneously, changing subjects constantly, and improvise as you go along
The same goes for
Close all doors and lock them when you go out. The same goes for windows.
how come
spoken
How come you got invited and I didn’t?
run the risk
when a fellow foreigner starts speaking too fast and is obviously exited about the conversation, he runs the risk of information overload
the matter in hand
Do these figures have anything to do with the matter in hand?
a clear indication of
Could you give me some clear indication as to when I am likely to receive a reply?
first and foremost
Have this in mind first and foremost: Keep smiling!
take one’s time
There is no hurry. Please take your time.
make a fool (out) of yourself
He’s always getting drunk and making a fool of himself at parties.
At the first glance
At first glance, the problem appeared quite simple. Later we learned just how complex it really was.
at least my experience tells me so
The problem – at least my experience tells me so – is…
It’s been proven many times over
It’s been proven many times over that the above statement holds true, and here’s the easiest way you can test it.
chances are
Chances are that she would have been late even if she had left on time.
at all times
When you’re in a crowd, you must watch your child at all times.
I can assure you
I can assure you – it’s not just me or you. Thousands upon thousands of other English speakers are having the same communication problem.
put something aside
Put aside your work for a minute and listen to what I have to tell you.
come up
Say, you’re having a job interview coming up.
keep something to a minimum
Do what you can to keep construction dust to a minimum.
by heart
You know the telephone number by heart, don’t you?
unexpected developments
Also do some improvising to prepare for possible unexpected developments in the interview process
be all prepped up
When the interview comes, you’ll be all prepped up
go with the flow
I don’t mind, I’ll just go with the flow.
a blessing in disguise
Losing my job was a blessing in disguise - I never would have found this one if it hadn’t happened.
You can “make a list” of something. For example:
David made the “Top 40 Influential Entrepreneurs” last year.
nothing short of something
She is nothing short of amazing in her latest movie.
make huge strides
To prepare yourself to make huge strides in a language, you absolutely must have the right mentality
a genuine desire
It’s a genuine desire to have that language completely fill up your life and even take it over.
expanding your horizons
maybe you are just very interested in languages and in expanding your horizons.
make huge strides
To prepare yourself to make huge strides in a language, you absolutely must have the right mentality
a genuine desire
It’s a genuine desire to have that language completely fill up your life and even take it over.
expanding your horizons
maybe you are just very interested in languages and in expanding your horizons.
get the gist
learn words related to the Internet so I can attend a talk on Wikipedia and get the gist of it”
a means of
That’s not a language; language is a means of communicating with people, and even if you don’t do it 100 percent perfectly at first, you can certainly still communicate.
not be all it’s cracked up to be
It’s a good restaurant, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
ace the test
I aced the history test..
aim for
We’re aiming for a big improvement
a daunting challenge
The task seemed a little daunting at first
wake-up call
any severe health scare can be a wake-up call
intensive care
He is still in intensive care in Bristol General Hospital.
reflect (think about something)
He had time to reflect on his successes and failures.
