Below are 10 commonly used English phrases that intermediate to advanced English learners should familiarize themselves with. Each phrase is followed by its meaning and examples of how it is used in everyday conversation.
1. “Hit the nail on the head”
- Meaning: To describe something exactly right or to be spot on.
- Example:
“When you said the project failed due to poor planning, you hit the nail on the head.”
2. “Bite the bullet”
- Meaning: To force yourself to do something unpleasant or difficult that you have been avoiding.
- Example:
“I didn’t want to go to the dentist, but I finally bit the bullet and made the appointment.”
3. “Break the ice”
- Meaning: To initiate conversation in a social setting, making people feel more comfortable.
- Example:
“He told a joke at the beginning of the meeting to break the ice.”
4. “Go the extra mile”
- Meaning: To do more than what is expected or required to achieve something.
- Example:
“She always goes the extra mile to make sure her customers are happy.”
5. “Throw in the towel”
- Meaning: To give up or surrender, especially after trying hard.
- Example:
“After months of struggling with the project, the team finally threw in the towel.”
6. “Under the weather”
- Meaning: To feel ill or unwell.
- Example:
“I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I think I’ll stay home.”
7. “Cut corners”
- Meaning: To do something in the easiest, quickest, or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality.
- Example:
“If we cut corners on this construction project, the building might not be safe.”
8. “Take it with a grain of salt”
- Meaning: To not take something too seriously or to be skeptical of certain information.
- Example:
“He says he’s an expert, but I’d take his advice with a grain of salt.”
9. “Burn the midnight oil”
- Meaning: To work late into the night, often to meet a deadline.
- Example:
“She’s been burning the midnight oil to finish her report before the deadline.”
10. “A blessing in disguise”
- Meaning: Something that seems bad at first but later turns out to be beneficial.
- Example:
“Losing that job was a blessing in disguise because it gave me the opportunity to start my own business.”
Practice Exercise:
- Try to use each of the phrases in a sentence that relates to your personal experiences or daily life.
- Identify a situation where each phrase would be appropriate in a conversation.
- Engage in a role-play with a partner using at least five of these phrases in natural dialogue.
These phrases are frequently used in everyday English conversation and can help you sound more fluent and natural when speaking.
