Common English Phrases_Slangs and Idioms

Fluent English
American English Channel
FLUENT ENGLISH

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he main purpose of this E-Book is to teach you and show you the common English American phrases,
slangs and idioms most used by native American speakers and the various situations of their usages.
I hope you enjoy reading this book.
he main purpose of this E-Book is to teach you and show you the common
English American phrases, slangs and idioms most used by native American
speakers and the various situations of their usages.
I hope you enjoy reading this book.

10 Ways to Say Hello & Goodbye
1. Hello
2. Hi
3. (informal) Hey
4. Hi there
5. (informal) Howdy
6. Bye
7. Bye-bye
8. (informal) See ya later
9. Take care
10. Have a good one
10 Informal Ways to Say Yes and No
1. Yeah
2. Yup
3. Mm-hmm!
4. Uh-huh!
5. Sure!
6. Nope
7. Nah
8. Mm-mm
9. Uh-uh
10. No way!

10 Ways to Ask How Someone Is
1. How are you?
2. How’s it going?
3. How ya doin’?
4. How are things?
5. How’s life?
6. How have you been?
7. How’s your family?
8. What’s up?
9. What’s new?
10. What have you been up to lately?
10 Ways to Say How You Are
1. I’m fine, thanks. How about you?
2. Pretty good.
3. Not bad.
4. Great!
5. Couldn’t be better!
6. Can’t complain.
7. I’ve been busy.
8. Same as always.
9. Not so great.
10. Could be better.
Note: The way to respond to “What’s up?” and “What’s new?” is typically “Not much.”
10 Ways to Say Thank You
1. Thanks.
2. Thanks a lot.
3. Thank you so much.
4. Thanks a million!
5. Thanks for your help. / Thanks for helping me6. I really appreciate it.
7. I’m really grateful.
8. That’s so kind of you.
9. I can’t thank you enough. (for extremely important things)
10. I owe you one. (this means you want/need to do a favor for the other person in the future)

10 Ways to Respond to “Thank You”
1. You’re welcome.
2. No problem.
3. No worries.
4. Don’t mention it.
5. My pleasure.
6. Anytime.
7. It was the least I could do.
8. Glad to help.
9. Sure!
10. Thank you. (use this when you ALSO have something to thank the other person for
10 Phrases for Introductions
1. I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m… [your name]
2. I don’t think we’ve met before. My name’s… [your name]
3. This is…
4. I’d like you to meet…
5. Have you met… ?
6. I’d like to introduce you to…
7. Nice to meet you.
8. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
9. Likewise.
10. And you.
10 Phrases for Telephone Calls
1. Hi, this is Jane.
2. (formal) May I speak with John Smith?
3. (informal) Is John there?
4. I’m calling about…
5. I’m returning your call.
6. (formal) One moment, please.
7. (informal) Hang on a sec.
8. He’s not here. Would you like to leave a message?
9. Could you ask him to call me back?
10. Thanks for calling.

10 Phrases for Asking for Information
1. Can you tell me...?
2. Could you tell me...?
3. I'd like to know...
4. Do you know...
5. Do you have any idea...?
6. Could anyone tell me...? (use this phrase when asking a group of people)
7. Would you happen to know...?
8. I don't suppose you (would) know...?
9. I was wondering…
10. I’m calling to find out… (use this phrase on the telephone)
10 Phrases for Asking for Someone’s
Opinion & Giving Your Opinion
1. What do you think about...?
2. How do you feel about…?
3. What's your opinion of...?
4. What are your views on...?
5. In my opinion…
6. I'd say...
7. Personally, I think/believe...
8. If you ask me...
9. The way I see it...
10. From my point of view…
10 Phrases for Agreeing
1. Exactly.
2. Absolutely.
3. That’s so true.
4. That’s for sure.
5. I agree 100%
6. I couldn’t agree with you more.
7. That’s exactly what I think. / That’s exactly how I feel.
8. (informal) Tell me about it! / You’re telling me!
9. (informal) I’ll say!
10. I suppose so. (use this phrase for weak agreement – you agree, but reluctantly)

10 Phrases for Disagreeing
1. I don’t think so.
2. I beg to differ.
3. I’m afraid I don’t agree.
4. I’m not so sure about that.
5. That’s not how I see it.
6. Not necessarily.
7. Yes, but… [say your opinion]
8. On the contrary.
9. (very informal) No way!
10. (very strong) I totally disagree.
10 Phrases for Invitations
1. Are you free… [Saturday night?]
2. Are you doing anything… [Saturday night?]
3. Let me check my calendar.
4. (informal) Do you wanna… [see a movie?]
5. (formal) Would you like to… [join me for dinner?]
6. I’d love to!
7. Sounds great!
8. I’d love to, but I have another commitment.
9. I don’t think I can.
10. Maybe another time.
10 Ways to Talk about Likes & Dislikes
1. I love… [soccer]
2. I’m really into… [soccer]
3. I live for… [soccer]
4. [soccer] is my thing.
5. I’m crazy about… [soccer]
6. I’m not a huge fan of… [modern art]
7. [Modern art] isn’t my cup of tea.
8. I don’t really care for… [modern art]
9. I’m not into… [modern art]
10. I can’t stand… [modern art] (this phrase expresses strong dislike)

10 Phrases for Asking/Talking about Jobs
1. Where do you work?
2. What do you do? / What do you do for a living?
3. I work at… [Microsoft].
4. I’m a/an… [accountant].
5. I’m unemployed. / I’m between jobs at the moment.
6. I’m looking for work.
7. I’m a stay-at-home mom/dad.
8. I run my own business.
9. I’m a freelance… [writer/designer/etc.]
10. I’m retired.
10 Phrases for Describing Relationships
1. I’m single.
2. I have a boyfriend/girlfriend.
3. We’re engaged. (= going to get married)
4. We’re getting married in June.
5. I’m married.
6. I’ve been married for… [10 years].
7. I’m divorced.
8. I’m widowed. (= my husband/wife has died)
9. I’m not looking for anything serious.
10. I’m not quite over my ex. (= I still have feelings for my ex-boyfriend/girlfriend or ex-husband/wife)
10 Ways to Encourage Someone
1. Keep up the good work!
2. That was a nice try. (say this after someone made a good effort but failed)
3. That’s a real improvement.
4. You’re on the right track.
5. You’ve almost got it.
6. You’re doing great.
7. Don’t give up! / Hang in there!
(when someone is currently having difficulties)
8. You can do it!
9. Give it your best shot. (best shot = best try, best effort)
10. Nice job! / You did great!

10 Phrases for Saying Something is Easy
& Difficult
1. It’s a piece of cake.
2. It’s a cinch.
3. It’s a breeze.
4. Anyone can do it.
5. There’s nothing to it.
6. It’s hard.
7. It’s a bit tricky.
8. It’s really tough.
9. It’s not a walk in the park.
10. It’s very demanding. (= it takes a lot of time and energy)
10 Phrases for Cheering Someone Up
1. What’s the matter?
2. What’s wrong?
3. Are you all right?
4. You look a bit down. (= a little sad)
5. Is there anything I can do to help?
6. Cheer up! / Chin up!
7. It’s not so bad.
8. Everything will be OK.
9. Look on the bright side. (= consider the positive aspects)
10. It’s not the end of the world. (this phrase is used when someone is upset about something small
and trivial)
10 Ways to Say You Don’t Believe Someone
1. Yeah, right.
2. You're kidding.
3. You're pulling my leg.
4. That's a bit of an exaggeration.
5. He’s stretching the truth.
6. He’s not telling the whole truth.
7. She’s being economical with the truth. (= she’s lying or not telling the entire truth)
8. His story is fishy.
9. That's an outright lie.
10. That's a pack of lies.

1. A hot potato
Meaning: Something that is difficult or dangerous to deal with.
Example: Terrorism is a political hot potato in Afghanistan.
2. A penny for your thoughts
Meaning: Way of asking what someone is thinking.
Example: After several minutes of silence he finally looked at her and said, “A penny
for your thoughts, Lily.”
3. Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: What you do is more significant than what you say.
Example: He: I am sorry. I’ll try to be a better person henceforth.
She: Actions speak louder than words.
4. Add insult to injury
Meaning: To make a bad situation worse.
Example: Their basement was flooded, and then, to add insult to injury, a pipe burst in
the kitchen.
5. An arm and a leg
Meaning: A lot of money.
Example: It’s the best cruise in the world, but it will cost you an arm and a leg.
6. At the drop of a hat
Meaning: Immediately; without any hesitation
Example: Ellie was always ready to go shopping at the drop of a hat.
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7. Back to the drawing board
Meaning: Start something all over again.
Example: I failed this semester, but now I am back to the drawing board.
8. Ball is in your court.
Meaning: It is up to you to take the next step
Example: I’ve made my decision, now the ball is in your court.
9. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Looking in the wrong place; accusing the wrong person.
Example: He did not commit the crime, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
10. Be glad to see the back of
Meaning: Be glad to see someone leave.
Example: I never liked her. I’ll be glad to see the back of her.

11. Beat around the bush
Meaning: Avoid answering a question; not speaking directly about the issue.
Example: Tell me what the problem is, stop beating around the bush.
12. Best of both the worlds
Meaning: Situation wherein one can enjoy two different opportunities.
Example: She had the privilege of a professor and freedom of a student. She had the
best of both worlds.
13. Best thing since sliced bread
Meaning: A good idea or plan; an excellent new invention.
Example: I love your idea. It’s the best thing since sliced bread.
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14. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: To take on a task that is way too big.
Example: Our boss bit off more than she could chew when she promised the client
we’d have the project ready by next week.
15. Blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something good that isn’t recognized at first.
Example: Ashok’s losing his job was a blessing in disguise; it gave him an opportunity
to pursue higher studies.
16. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: To stay up working, especially studying, late at night.
Example: She’s been burning the midnight oil for the last few months; her hard work
will definitely pay off in the coming exams.
17. Don’t judge a book by its cover
Meaning: Don’t judge something primarily by its appearance.
Example:
She: He doesn’t look intelligent.
He: You can’t judge a book by its cover.
18. Caught between two stools.
Meaning: When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives.
Example: He had committed to both and now he’s caught between two stools.
19. Cross that bridge when you come to it.
Meaning: Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary.
Example: He: I think I need to hire a lawyer.
She: Cross that bridge when you come to it.
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20. Cry over spilled milk
Meaning: To be unhappy about something that cannot be undone.
Example: It can’t he helped, don’t cry over spilled milk.

21. Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning: Being too curious can get you into trouble.
Example: Don’t ask about his divorce-curiosity killed the cat!
22. Cut corners
Meaning: To take shortcuts; when something is done badly to save money.
Example: They always put quality first; they won’t cut corners just to save money.
23. Cut the mustard
Meaning: Perform satisfactorily; to succeed.
Example: We need a better catcher; this one just doesn’t cut the mustard.
24. Devil’s advocate
Meaning: To present a counter argument
Example: The teacher always played devil’s advocate to provoke discussion in the
classroom.
25. Don’t count your chickens before the eggs have hatched.
Meaning: Don’t make plans for something that might not happen.
Example: You might not win the prize and you’ve already spent the money? Don’t
count your chickens before the eggs have hatched.
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26. Don’t give up the day job
Meaning: You’re not very good at something. You could definitely not do it
professionally.
Example: Why did you invest in business even after failing in it in the past? Don’t give up
the day job!
27. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: Don’t focus all of your attention on one thing or one area.
Example: I know you love Harvard, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to
other colleges too.
28. Drastic times call for drastic measures
Meaning: When you’re extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions.
Example: Yes we had to let go of five of our workers! Drastic times call for drastic
measures.
29. Elvis has left the building
Meaning: The show has come to an end. It’s all over.
Example: We waited for another performance by the band but it looked like Elvis had
left the building.
30. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.
Example: I’m sorry your business is going badly, but remember every cloud has a silver
lining.

31. Far cry from
Meaning: A thing that is very different from something else.
Example: What you did was a far cry from what you said you were going to do.
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32. Feel a bit under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick or unhealthy.
Example: I’m not coming to office today, I’m feeling a bit under the weather.
33. Give the benefit of doubt
Meaning: Believe someone’s statement without proof.
Example: I knew him since the past 5 years, so I gave him the benefit of doubt.
34. Hear through the grapevine
Meaning: To hear news from someone who heard that news from someone else
Example: I heard through the grapevine that she’s pregnant.
35. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To do or say exactly the right thing.
Example: You’ve spotted the flaw, Robert. You’ve hit the nail on the head.
36. Hit the sack/sheets/hay
Meaning: To go to bed.
Example: I’m exhausted. I think I’ll just hit the sack.
37. In the heat of the moment
Meaning: Overwhelmed by what’s happening at the moment.
Example: He doesn’t hate you. He just said that in the heat of the moment.
38. It takes two to tango
Meaning: Both people involved in a bad situation are responsible for it.
Example: He blamed her for his lack of attention; well it takes two to tango.
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39. Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning: Join a popular trend or activity.
Example: So many people are playing that game that I might as well jump on the
bandwagon and check it out.
40. Keep something at bay
Meaning: Keep something away
Example: A good way to keep your anxiety at bay is through meditation.

41. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: To solve two problems at a time with just one action
Example: John practiced his words while peeling the potatoes. He was killing two
birds with one stone.
42. Last straw
Meaning: The final problem in a series of problems
Example: This is the last straw. I’m calling the police.
43. Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning: Leave something alone if it might cause trouble.
Example: I thought I would ask him if he wanted me to pay him back right away, but
then I decided to let the sleeping dogs lie.
44. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret / To share information that was previously concealed.
Example: It’s our secret. Don’t let the cat out of the bag.
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45. Make a long story short
Meaning: Come to the point – leave out the details.
Example: And – to make the long story short – I never got back the money I lent him.
46. Method in the madness
Meaning: A purpose in what one is doing, even though it seems to be crazy.
Example: What I’m doing might seem strange, but there is method in my madness.
47. Miss the boat
Meaning: To miss out on something.
Example: Pay attention, John, or you’ll miss the boat and never learn algebra.
48. Not a spark of decency
Meaning: A person who has no manners
Example: Her brother has not a spark of decency. I don’t like the way he acts in public.
49. Not playing with the full deck
Meaning: Someone who is mentally, psychologically or intellectually deficient.
Example: He’s an intelligent guy, but with all that crazy things he does, I wonder if he’s
not playing with the full deck.
50. On the ball
Meaning: When someone understands a situation well; attentive.
Example: If you were on the ball, this wouldn’t have happened.

51. Off the record
Meaning: Not made as an official or attributable statement; unofficial; confidential
Example: He accepted his fault off the record and hence it could not be used by the
prosecutor in the court.
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52. Oldest trick in the book
Meaning: A well known and much used trick/method
Example: Oldest trick in the book to treat cold and cough is drinking turmeric milk.
53. Off the cuff
Meaning: Without preparation; spontaneous
Example: She has a reputation of handling off the cuff interviews very well.
54. Old habits die hard
Meaning: People find it difficult to change their accustomed behavior.
Example: She retired last month, but still gets up at the same time in the morning.
Old habits die hard.
55. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely
Example: Jill has a very rocky relationship with her father. She speaks to him once in a
blue moon.
56. Open the floodgates
Meaning: Release something that was previously under control
Example: Economists fear that relaxing price control will open the floodgates to
inflation.
57. Out of the blue
Meaning: Happen unexpectedly
Example: She had given up all hope when out of the blue she got a call from Harvard.
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58. Out on a limb
Meaning: Do something risky or something that others do not support (leaving the
doer in a difficult situation)
Example: She was out on a limb with her project – nobody supported her idea.
59. Over the top
Meaning: Totally excessive and not suitable for the occasion.
Example: Her sari was way over the top for a somber occasion like this.
60. Pen is mightier than the sword
Meaning: Words and communication have a greater effect than war
Example: A simple handwritten note put an end to their week long cold war – pen is
mightier than the sword.

61. Push one’s luck
Meaning: Trying to obtain more than what one has (risk spoiling the current situation)
Example: You have my permission to go to your friends’ place but don’t push your luck
by planning a night out.
62. Raining cats and dogs
Meaning: Raining heavily
Example: We’ll have to cancel the trip, it’s raining cats and dogs here.
63. Reap the harvest
Meaning: Benefit or suffer as a direct result of past actions.
Example: When he cleared IIT-JEE, he reaped the harvest of all his hard work.
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64. Roll up one’s sleeves
Meaning: Get ready for hard work
Example: My brother said he would roll up his sleeves and do whatever it takes to
support the family.
65. See eye to eye
Meaning: To be in agreement with
Example: She was glad her roommate saw eye to eye on the choice of the flat.
66. Shot in the dark
Meaning: A complete guess (may or may not be close to the truth)
Example: He didn’t know too much about programming, so answering the interviewer’s
question was merely a shot in the dark.
67. Sink your teeth into
Meaning: Do something with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
Example: Robin immediately sank his teeth into his new job.
68. Skating on thin ice
Meaning: Do or say something risky or something that could cause trouble.
Example: Don’t say anything that hurts her self esteem or you could be skating on thin ice.
69. Stand in a good stead
Meaning: To be useful or be of good service to someone.
Example: Being fluent in German will stand you in a good stead when applying for an
MS in Germany.
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70. Strike while the iron is hot
Meaning: To act at the right time
Example: The price of gold is at a 10 year low, strike while the iron is hot and invest in
it right away.

(To) ace (v.): To pass a test, exam, etc. really easily. "Robert aced his physics exam."
A-Game: One’s best self, often in relation to a competition. “I’ll bring my A-game”
All-ears: When someone says "I'm all ears", they are telling you that they are listening to you, that
they are giving you their undivided attention.
All-nighter (n.): A period of work or study that lasts all night. Most often used with the verb "pull"
(To pull an all-nighter) - “We pulled an all-nighter in order to finish the project."
Are you kidding me? Phrase often used rhetorically to express frustration or excitement.
Around-the-clock: 24/7, all day and night, non-stop
ASAP: stands for ‘as soon as possible’
B-Ball: often used to abbreviate basketball
Blow or Bomb: to fail or to be unsuccessful
Blue or Have the Blues: to feel depressed or sad
Bro: a friend, often used for a masculine friend
Buck: one dollar
By the skin of your teeth: just barely

Cash (n.): money
Cashback: An option available to retail consumers when, during a debit card transaction, the
customer can request to add an extra amount to the purchase price and receive the added amount
in cash. Cash back using debit provides customers a convenient method of withdrawing cash when
purchasing goods and services without having to make a separate trip to an ATM or bank.
Cheesy (adj.): Cheap, tacky. "A cheesy pick-up line", "A cheesy song", etc.
Chill: relax.
Come on: used to express frustration.
Cool (adj.): nice, great, impressive, popular, interesting "a cool dress", "a cool guy", "a cool bar"
Cop (n.): Police officer.
Couch Potato: a lazy person, one who sits on a couch and watches TV.
Cram: to study feverishly before an exam.
Crash: to go to sleep; or to show up without invitation “Can I crash here tonight?"
DC: UMass term for the dining commons
Dead: Empty; quiet (said of bars, clubs, restaurants, etc.) "It's really dead in here tonight" (It's
empty in here tonight/there are very few people here tonight).
Drive up the wall: to irritate; “He is driving me up the wall.”
Dutch or go Dutch: each person pays for his/her own meal.

FYI: acronym “for your information”
Get under one’s skin: bother
Give the cold shoulder: ignore
Hang out: to gather in a casual; and social manner.
Hip: cool, popular.
Hit the books: study.
Hit the road: to leave.
Hold your horses: Wait a minute!
Hyped (adj.): Really excited. "We're all hyped about the concert next weekend."
I feel you: I understand/empathize with you
In no time: Very soon. "Don't worry - We'll be there in no time."
It is what it is: it’s a fact that cannot be changed.
Jacked: really strong/muscular, “He’s jacked”
Jonesing: to want something badly. “I’m jonesing for a coffee”
Lemon: a bad buy or purchase.
Lighten up (v.): To relax; to not take things too seriously. "You gotta learn to lighten up a bit!"

LOL: Text acronym for ‘laugh out loud’
My Bad: my fault or my mistake.
No problem: you’re welcome, not a big deal
OMG: Text acronym for ‘oh my god’. Used to express surprise or excitement.
On the hour: an idiom for at every hour exactly; one o’clock, two o’clock, and so on. An extension of
this idiom is every hour on the hour, meaning every time the clock's big hand reaches twelve, “The
bus passes by the house every hour on the hour.”
Once in a blue moon: infrequently
Pass the buck: transfer responsibility to someone else.
Piece of cake: easy or effortless.
Put up a front: trying to act/appear tough
R.S.V.P.: Stands for a French phrase, repondez, s’il vous plait. A formal reply to an invitation, by
phone or mail.
Recap: to state something again
Ride shotgun (v.): To ride in the front passenger seat of a car. "I wanna ride shotgun!"
Rip-off: overcharge.
Score: to get something you want.
Screw up (v.): To make a mistake, do something badly/wrong “I really screwed up my audition."

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