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