English Conversational Phrases and Idioms

Flashcards defining common English conversational phrases, collocations, and idiomatic expressions featured in the lecture notes.

Recipe for disaster

An idiom referring to a plan, action, or situation that is very likely to result in serious trouble, failure, or catastrophe.

Keen on

I’m keen on learning

I'm not keen on spicy food

An expression meaning very interested in, eager, or enthusiastic about an activity or subject

Out of place

A phrase describing the feeling of being awkward, uncomfortable, or not fitting into a particular environment or social situation.

Better off

you're better off taking a taxi if you have heavy bags.

An idiom indicating that one would be in a more favorable, advantageous, or improved condition by doing something.

Regret to inform

A formal and polite phrase used to introduce or deliver bad, disappointing, or negative news.

Get used to

A phrase meaning to become familiar with or accustomed to a new situation, condition, or habit over time.

Not used to

An expression meaning unfamiliar with or unaccustomed to doing a specific action or living in a particular condition.

Worth hearing

A phrase indicating that a piece of information, story, or statement is valuable, important, or interesting enough to listen to.

Barely

An adverb meaning only just, scarcely, or with great difficulty (e.g., could barely get out of bed).

I’ve been meaning to

You have intended or wanted to do something for a while

There is/are still a lot to

a large amount of work, tasks, or actions still needs to be completed

Knock down. This really knocked my confidence down

To reduce

I can’t help

I can’t help laughing

you are unable to control, stop, or avoid a specific action, feeling, or reaction

I wonder if

I wonder if he’s home

You use it when you are unsure about something, want to know the answer, or are thinking about a possible outcome

Outside of…

Outside of a few close friends, nobody came to the party.

Outside of having a lot on my plate I was also feeling very sick

Except for, aside from, or beyond. It means not including or excluding something.

There has to be

There has to be a way to fix this

Used to express that something is required, certain, or the only logical possibility in a given situation

Circle back

Let’s circle back

Let’s finish the current agenda items and then circle back to discuss the budget proposal.

to return to a conversation, topic, or task at a later time

I’m on it

you are already working on a task, handling a request, or about to start solving a problem right away

Call it a day

We’ve been studying for five hours and can’t focus anymore—let's call it a day.

to stop what you are doing because you are tired, you have finished enough work, or you do not want to continue any longer

Kill 2 birds with one stone

to achieve two different things or solve two problems at the same time with a single action

Cost an arm and a leg

something is extremely expensive

Cutting corners

to do something in the easiest, cheapest, or fastest way by skipping important steps, rules, or details

Miss the boat

to fail to take advantage of an opportunity because you acted too slowly, hesitated, or waited too long

Speak of the devil

used when the person you were just talking or thinking about suddenly appears, calls, or texts you

Hit the nail on the head

o be completely right about something or to accurately identify the core cause of a situation or problem