. WHAT DO YOU DO?

This question means “What is your job/profession?”

I’m a student.
I work in a bank.
I’m unemployed at the moment.
I run my own business.
The word “run” means you are the primary person responsible for operating the business.
I’m retired now. I used to be an engineer.
“Retired” means you have stopped working (usually after you are 60 or 65 years old).
2. ARE YOU MARRIED?
Yes, I’ve been married for two years now.
I’m divorced.
I’m engaged – we’re getting married next year.
No, but I’m in a relationship.
Nope, I’m single.
“Nope” is an informal way to say “No.”
3. WHY ARE YOU STUDYING ENGLISH?
For work.
So I can communicate when I travel.
I love learning new languages.
Because I’d like to immigrate to the U.S.
I’m thinking of studying in England.
The correct way is “thinking of studying” and not “thinking to study.”
4. WHERE/HOW DID YOU LEARN ENGLISH?
I took classes for three years.
I did an intensive course.
I’ve been studying on my own.
You can also say “studying by myself.”
I picked it up from movies and songs.
In this context, “picked it up” means “learned it casually.”
My girlfriend taught me.
5. WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I don’t have any free time!
I usually hang out with friends.
“Hang out” means to spend time in an informal way.
I go running a lot.
I do volunteer work.
I like reading and relaxing at home.
6. WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE? / HOW’S THE WEATHER?
Hot and humid.
“Humid” means there is a lot of water vapor in the air.
It’s pouring – take an umbrella.
“Pouring” means raining very heavily.
A little chilly – you might wanna bring a jacket.
“Chilly” means a little bit cold.
Gorgeous – a perfect summer day!
It’s quite cold – make sure to bundle up.
“Bundle up” means to wear warm clothing for protection against the cold.
7. WHAT TIME IS IT? / DO YOU HAVE THE TIME?
It’s ten o’clock.
It’s half past four.
This means “4:30”
It’s a quarter to twelve.
“A quarter” is 15 minutes – so this means “11:45”
Let me check my phone.
Sorry, I don’t know.
Shopping & Social Questions
8. CAN I HELP YOU? / DO YOU NEED ANY HELP?
This is a question that you might hear from an employee or salesperson in a store.
No thanks, I’m just browsing.
“Browsing” means looking casually at the items.
Yes – do you have this in a larger size?
Yes – where are the try-on rooms?
“Try-on rooms” means the place where you can put on the clothes to see if they are the right size and if
you like them.
Yeah, can you tell me how much this is?
Yeah, I’m looking for something under $30.
9. HOW’S IT GOING?
Great! Couldn’t be better!
This means that everything is excellent.
Fine. How are things with you?
Not bad.
This means that things are OK.
I can’t complain.
Do you really wanna know?
Normally when people ask “how’s it going?” they expect a positive response like “fine” or “good.” If you
say “Do you really wanna know?” it means that things are going badly, but you are not sure if the other
person wants to listen to your problems or not.
10. HOW ARE YOU FEELING?
Great! Never better.
I’m all right.
Like I need a vacation.
A little depressed.
Really awful.
You can say you’re feeling “awful” for both physical and emotional pain.
11. HOW WAS YOUR DAY?
Really good!
Pretty uneventful.
This means that nothing particularly special or interesting happened during the day.
Very productive.
Super busy.
A total nightmare.
A “nightmare” is a terrible, scary dream. Describing an experience as a “nightmare” means it was
horrible.
12. DID YOU LIKE THE MOVIE?
 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.

Guessing & Estimating

#1 – OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I THINK IT’S $200.
“Off the top of my head” means you are making an estimate in that moment, without checking
the information to make sure it’s completely accurate.
#2 – KNOWING HIM, HE’LL BE LATE.
Use the phrase “Knowing _______, _______ will…” to make an educated guess about
something that will probably happen based on what you already know about the person, place, or
thing.
#3 – IF I HAD TO TAKE A GUESS, I’D SAY SHE’S 35.
Use the phrase “I’d say” to give your opinion/estimate.

#4 – IT’S DIFFICULT TO SAY, BUT I THINK…

Use this phrase to emphasize that the guess is difficult to make accurately.
#5 – I WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED IF…
Use this phrase to say that something is possible or probable: “My sister has been complaining a
lot about her job lately. I wouldn’t be surprised if she decided to quit soon.”
#6 – I BET…
Use this phrase when you have more certainty about something happening. Example: “I knew
all the answers to the English test. I bet I got a good grade.”
#7 – WE’RE TALKING MAYBE 40 PEOPLE.
The phrase “we’re talking maybe” is an informal way to give a general estimate.

#8 – IT’S ABOUT/AROUND TEN MILES.

The words “about” and “around” show that the number is an estimate, NOT a perfectly exact
number
 #9 – IT’S SOMEWHERE IN THE BALLPARK OF $1.5 MILLION.
This idiomatic expression indicates that the real number is in the same general area as the guess.
This phrase is most often used with money.
#10 – YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE.
This phrase means “I have no idea” – so any guess is equally likely to be correct or incorrect.

For Describing Speaking

1. He yelled.
2. She screamed.
3. I whispered.
(= spoke in an extremely quiet voice)
4. We chatted.
(= had an informal conversation)
5. He mumbled.
(= spoke in a low voice, not clearly, without opening his mouth much)
6. My kids whined.
(= complained)
7. He rambled. / He went on and on.
(= talked too much without stopping)
8. She stammered.
9. I snapped at my husband.
(= said a quick and angry remark)
10. He muttered.
(= spoke in a low voice, usually making complaints or negative comments)

For Talking About Price

1 – THAT’S A BIT STEEP / PRICEY.
Use these phrases to say that something is a little bit expensive.
#2 – IT COST A FORTUNE / AN ARM AND A LEG.
Use these phrases to say that something was VERY expensive.
#3 – I’M PAYING THROUGH THE NOSE.
This is an idiomatic expression that means you’re paying too much for something, and it’s
painful. For example – “I’m paying through the nose to park my car in a private garage in New
York City – it’s $600 a month!”
#4 – THAT’S A LITTLE OUTSIDE MY BUDGET. / I CAN’T
AFFORD IT.
Use these phrases to say that you don’t have enough money to buy something.
#5 – THAT’S QUITE REASONABLE.
If you describe a price as “reasonable,” it means that you think it’s a fair price for what you will
receive.
#6 – IT’S 20% OFF.
The word “off” in the context of price means it’s a discount.
#7 – I GOT TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE. / IT WAS BUY ONE,
GET ONE FREE.
Both the expressions “two for the price of one” and “buy one, get one free” are common phrases
used to describe a special offer when you buy one product at normal price, and get another one
of the same product for free.

#8 – IT WAS A REAL BARGAIN.

You can use this phrase to describe something that was a VERY good price for the value; like
you can’t believe you received so much for the price you paid. This expression can be used for
any amount – for example, buying a $50,000 car for $10,000 is “a real bargain,” and buying a
$100 shirt for $10 is also “a real bargain.”
#9 – I GOT IT FOR A SONG.
This is an idiomatic expression that means you bought something for a very low price.
#10 – IT’S DIRT CHEAP.
Use this phrase to say that something is extremely inexpensive. For example, if you can buy
lunch for $1, that is dirt cheap!
A FRESH START
“A fresh start” means a new opportunity with no mistakes/bad things in it yet. We often use this
phrase after leaving a bad situation and beginning something new.

After a bad breakup, he decided to move to another city and look for a fresh start.
BE/GET OFF TO A RUNNING START
When something “is off to a running start” or “gets off to a running start,” it means it has a good,
fast beginning with a lot of speed and power.

The presidential candidate’s campaign is off to a running start, with a huge rally in the capital city.

Image source
START OUT / START OFF
Both start out and start off are simply informal ways to say “start.” There is no
significant difference between them. Here are some examples:
Let’s start off the project by organizing the tasks.
I had very little experience when I first started out in this job.
START OFF/GET OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT
If you “start off / get off on the wrong foot,” it means you make a bad impression or begin a
relationship with a conflict or misunderstanding.

During my job interview, I started off on the wrong foot by calling the manager by the wrong name.

Image source
A STARTUP
In the world of business, a “startup” is a company that has just begun operating. Startups are
usually innovative companies that are trying to do new things, and receive money from private
investors to fund their operations.

I like working for a startup because the team is small enough that I can have input into major decisions.
A HEAD START
Getting “a head start” means to get ahead of schedule or to start before other people.

The report isn’t due until next Friday, but I’m going to get a head start on it by doing some research over
the weekend.
START A CAR
To “start a car” means to turn on the engine/motor. We often use this in the negative, when
there’s a problem with the engine/motor and the car won’t function.

My car wouldn’t start this morning, so I had to take a taxi to work.

JUMP-START / KICK-START
To “jump-start a car” means to connect the car to another car’s batteries using cables, in order
to give a sudden, strong burst of power to the car that is not operating.
 Image source
More generally, jump-starting or kick-starting a project or progress means to put things in motion
when they were previously stopped or slow.

Few people were buying the product, so we put a big advertisement in the newspaper to try to jump-
start sales.
START A FAMILY
When native English speakers use the expression “start a family,” it means when two people
who are in a romantic relationship (usually married) begin to have children for the first time.

We want to buy a bigger house because we’re thinking of starting a family soon.
START OVER
If you “start over,” it means you begin again – usually because the work you did before failed or
had a mistake in it.

Oh no, I put salt instead of sugar into the cake. I’ll have to throw it away and start over.
2. I’m Sorry For… / I’m Sorry That… / I Apologize For…
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Say these phrases to apologize for specific bad things you did. The last one is more formal.

“I’m sorry that I yelled at you last night.”

3. It Was My Fault.
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Say this phrase to accept your responsibility for the mistake.

4. I’m So Sorry. / I’m Really Sorry.

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These phrases express stronger regret for a more serious mistake.

5. I Should Have… / I Shouldn’t Have…

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Use these phrases to say what you wish you had done differently in the past.

“I’m sorry – I should have called and told you I’d be late.”

6. We Deeply Regret / Please Accept Our Apologies

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These phrases are more formal, and are typically used in business letters.

“Please accept our apologies for the delay in delivering your order.”

You Can Use To Impress Your

Colleagues And Friends
1. THERE’S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT
Use this expression if you have a plan to do something, or there is an item on your ‘to do’ list,
and you want to tell everyone that the best time to do it is NOW, not later. You would use this
expression to recommend to other people that you would like to start now.
John: When shall we start this project?
Jane: No time like the present!
2. GIVE ME A HAND
A very popular expression that you can use in lots of different situations. It is simply used to ask
someone for help. Maybe physical help (you are carrying something too heavy) or another kind (
You have an essay to write and you need some ideas). Either way, it sounds good and more
importantly, it sounds native.

Brian: How is your revision going?

Joe: Not very well, I am struggling. Can you give me a hand?
3. TO BE WORN OUT
This simply means you are tired and do not have any more energy, usually after spending all
your energy on an activity. Again, the beauty of this is it is something we all say, all the time! In
your books you may have learned the expression to use is very tired, or even exhausted – but
many native English speakers use the expression “worn out” instead.

Chris: It was so busy at the shop today, I am absolutely worn out!

4. NOT AT ALL
This expression is extremely popular in the UK. We use it in response to someone thanking us.
It is used in the same way as saying, ‘it is no problem’.

Jimmy: I’m sorry I’m late. Thanks for waiting.

Ankit: Not at all.
5. NEVER BETTER
This is a response to people asking you how you are. Instead of saying the usual responses:
‘fine, thank you’, or ‘very well, thanks’, we can use this reply to say that we are feeling very
good.

Anna: Good to see you Robbie, how are you?

Robbie: Never better, what about you?
ENGLISH PHRASES FOR GOOD LUCK
GOOD LUCK! / BEST OF LUCK!
Say these when you want to wish/desire someone good luck, good results; you hope they will
succeed.

“I’m taking my driving test tomorrow.”

“Good luck!”
“I’m starting my own company.”
“Wow! Best of luck with that!”
Note: You can also use “Good luck” in a sarcastic way to mean that something is difficult or
almost impossible:
“I’m hoping for a quick response about my visa application.”
“Good luck. Those things sometimes take months to process.”
BEGINNER’S LUCK
When a new or inexperienced person has a great success, you can say it’s “beginner’s luck” –
the success happened by chance, not because of the person’s skill.

YOU’RE IN LUCK!
Use this phrase when you are announcing a good/fortunate situation for the other person:

(At a store): “Do you have these shoes available in size 8?”
“You’re in luck! This is the last pair in the store.”
ENGLISH PHRASES FOR BAD LUCK
BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME
Use this phrase after someone tried to do something, but was unsuccessful. Used only for minor
failures.

“I tried to win the video game, but I couldn’t get past Level 1.”
“Oh well. Better luck next time.”
DOWN ON YOUR LUCK
When someone is having a long period of difficulty, problems, or bad luck.

“He’s been down on his luck lately – right after buying a house, he lost his job and has been struggling to
make the payments.”
JUST MY LUCK!
A sarcastic phrase to say that something was very unlucky.
“I took a week off from work to go to the beach – and just my luck, it rained the entire time.”
NO SUCH LUCK
When a situation did not have the positive result you hoped for.

“I was hoping to leave work by 5:00, but no such luck – the meeting ran until 6:30.”
WHAT ROTTEN LUCK!
This is a sympathetic phrase for commenting on bad luck:

“The athlete got injured one day before the championship. What rotten luck!“
TOUGH LUCK
This phrase is typically used to say you are NOT sympathetic to someone’s problems or
complaints:

“If you don’t like the way we run things in this company, tough luck. You’re free to leave.”
(= we will not change the way we manage the company; you must accept it or else leave)
 ENGLISH PHRASES FOR CHANCE
AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT
This phrase means “by chance.” It can be used for both lucky things or unlucky things.

Lucky chance: “I called the doctor to make an urgent appointment and as luck would have it, he was
available to see me the very same day.”
Unlucky chance: “I called the doctor to make an urgent appointment and as luck would have it, his
schedule was completely booked for the next six months.”
(booked = reserved; there are no appointments available)
THE LUCK OF THE DRAW
This phrase means something is completely by chance or random; you cannot control it at all
(similar to winning the lottery, when they “draw” – take – the winning ticket completely at
random).
“You can’t choose who you compete against in the tournament – it’s the luck of the draw.”
PUSHING YOUR LUCK
When you have good luck or a good situation, but you try too hard to extend it or get an
even better situation, and risk having a negative result or losing what you have achieved so far.
“They offered me the job after a very competitive hiring process. I wanted to ask for a higher starting
salary, but I felt like that would be pushing my luck.”
ENGLISH PHRASES FOR ASKING FOR
SOMEONE’S 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…?
ENGLISH PHRASES FOR GIVING YOUR OPINION
1. In my opinion…
2. I’d say…
3. Personally, I think/believe…
4. If you ask me…
5. The way I see it…
6. From my point of view…
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ENGLISH PHRASES FOR NOT HAVING

AN OPINION
1. I’ve never given it much thought.
2. I don’t have strong feelings either way.
3. It doesn’t make any difference to me.
4. I have no opinion on the matter.
5. (very informal) Whatever.
It was fantastic.
It was terrible.
It wasn’t bad.
It’s one of the best I’ve ever seen.
No, I didn’t think it lived up to the hype.
This means the movie was not as good as its publicity presented.
13. HOW WAS THE PARTY?
Crazy – it was absolutely packed.
“Packed” means it was crowded; there were very many people there.
It was a good time.
Small, but fun.
There was hardly anybody there.
Boring – I couldn’t wait to get outta there.
14. CAN YOU GIVE ME A HAND?

This means “can you help me?” – often with a physical task like moving furniture or carrying a box.
Of course!
I’d be glad to.
Will it take long?
Sure – just a sec.
This means “just a second” – you need the other person to wait one moment before you can help them.
Sorry – I’m a bit busy at the moment.
15. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO LATELY?
This question means “What have you been doing recently?” – you can answer it in the present perfect
continuous.
I’ve been working a lot.
Mostly studying.
I’ve been taking it easy.
This means “relaxing, not doing anything intense or stressful.”
Planning my summer vacation.
Nothing much.
16. WHAT’S THE MATTER?
This means “What’s the problem?” – you can ask it to someone who appears sad or upset.
Oh, I’m just having a rough day.
A “rough day” means a difficult, bad day.
I’m not feeling so good.
I just found out my mother’s in the hospital.
The phrasal verb “found out” means “discovered or heard some new information.”
I’d rather not talk about it.
This means “I’d prefer not to talk about it.”
Nothing, I’m fine.
Restaurant Questions
17. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DRINK?
Iced tea, please.
Just water for me.
What do you have?
Could we see the wine list?
Nothing for me, thanks.
18. ARE YOU READY TO ORDER?
To “order” means to ask the waiter/waitress for the food you want to eat.
Not quite – I think we need a little more time.
What are the specials today?
“Specials” are featured dishes that might also have a discount.
Yes, I’ll have a Caesar salad and then the baked chicken with potatoes.
The most common way to order food is to say “I’ll have…”
Uh-huh. To start off, we’ll split an order of nachos.
“To start off” means you are ordering an appetizer (small amount of food eaten before the main meal).
“Split” means that two or more people will share/divide one order of food.
Almost – I just have a couple of questions.
19. IS EVERYTHING OK?
While you are eating, the waiter/waitress will often come to your table and ask this question to check if
you need anything.
Yes, everything’s fine, thanks.
It’s all delicious!
Could we have some more water, please?
“Could we have…” is a polite way to ask for something.
Actually, I’m still waiting for my side dish.
A “side dish” is a small portion of food that accompanies the main meal.
To be honest, my food is kinda cold. Could you heat it up?
“To be honest…” is a diplomatic way to introduce a complaint or negative comment.
20. CAN I GET YOU ANYTHING ELSE?
The waiter/waitress will probably ask you this after you have finished eating.
Two decaf coffees, please.
“Decaf coffee” is coffee with no caffeine.
Just the check, please.
The “check” is the list of items and the total price to pay.
Could I have a look at the dessert menu?
I’ll have a slice of apple pie.
A “slice” is a single piece of a pie, cake, or pizza.
No thanks – I think we’re just about done.