Ways to Say

Contents

Beginner Phrases

10 Ways to Say Hello and Goodbye

10 Informal Ways to Say Yes and No

10 Ways to Ask How Someone Is

10 Ways to Say How You Are

10 Ways to Say “Thank You”

10 Ways to Respond to “Thank You”

5 Phrases for Apologizing

• Ways to Respond to an Apology
• 10 Phrases for Introductions
• Ways to Show Interest

5 Ways to End a Conversation Politely

10 Phrases for Telephone Calls

10 Phrases for Asking for Information

5 Ways to Say “I don’t know”

10 Phrases for Asking for Someone’s Opinion & Giving Your Opinion

5 Phrases for Not Having an Opinion

10 Phrases for Agreeing

10 Phrases for Disagreeing

5 Phrases for Responding to Good News 5 Phrases for Responding to Bad News 10 Phrases for Invitations

5 Ways to Make & Respond to an Offer 6 Phrases for Talking About Future Plans 10 Ways to Talk about Likes & Dislikes

5 Ways to Make a Suggestion

10 Phrases for Asking/Talking about Jobs 10 Phrases for Describing Relationships

Intermediate Phrases

5 Ways to Ask for Clarification

 

 

5 Ways to Check if the Other Person Understands You 5 Ways to Ask for Help

5 Ways to Ask Someone Else to Do Something 5 Ways to Interrupt Someone

10 Ways to Encourage Someone 5 Phrases for Complaining

10 Phrases for Remembering, Reminding, & Forgetting 10 Phrases for Saying Something is Easy & Difficult

10 Expressions about Age 10 Phrases for Shopping

10 Phrases for Talking about Food 10 Phrases for Talking About TV

10 Phrases You’ll Hear in the Airport

10 Ways to Talk About Price 5 Phrases for Hot Weather 5 Phrases for Cold Weather

5 Phrases for Talking about Rain

10 Ways to Say You’re Tired

5 Phrases for Promises & Resolutions 10 Excuses for Being Late

5 Ways to Say Someone is Correct 5 Ways to Say Someone is Wrong 5 Ways to Say Someone is Smart 5 Ways to Say Someone is Stupid

Advanced Phrases

10 Ways to Avoid Answering a Question 15 Phrases for Being Rich & Poor

10 Phrases for Talking about Statistics

10 Ways to Say Someone’s Talented

10 Phrases for Telling Someone to Wait 10 Phrases for Estimating & Guessing 10 Phrases for Decisions

10 Phrases for Good Luck & Bad Luck

 

 

10 Phrases for Worries & Relief

10 Phrases for Talking about the Future 10 Phrases for Compliments

15 Phrases for Certainty & Probability

10 Ways to Say Something is Interesting/Boring 7 Phrases for Disappointment

10 Ways to Say You Don’t Believe Someone

10 Expressions for Bad People

10 Words for Describing Speaking 10 Phrases for Facial Expressions

10 Phrases to Describe Offending or Upsetting People 10 Phrases for Bad Travel Experiences

10 Phrases for Drinking (Alcohol) 15 Comparative Idioms

 

Beginner Phrases

 

10 Ways to Say Hello and 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’?

 

 

1. How are things?
2. How’s life?
3. How have you been?
4. How’s your family?
5. What’s up?
6. What’s new?
7. What have you been up to lately?

 

 

 

10 Ways to Say How You Are

1. I’m fine, thanks. How about you?
2. Pretty
3. Not
4. Great!
5. Couldn’t be better!
6. Can’t complain.
7. I’ve been
8. Same as
9. Not so
10. Could be

Note: The way to respond to “What’s up?” and “What’s new?” is typically “Not much.”

 

 

 

10 Ways to Say “Thank You”

1.  
2. Thanks a
3. Thank you so
4. Thanks a million!
5. Thanks for your help. / Thanks for helping
6. I really appreciate
7. I’m really
8. That’s so kind of
9. I can’t thank you

(for extremely important things)

1. I owe you

(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
2. No
3. No
4. Don’t mention it.
5. My
6.  
7. It was the least I could
8. Glad to help.
9. Sure!
10. Thank

(use this when you ALSO have something to thank the other person for)

 

 

 

5 Phrases for Apologizing

1. I’m sorry that… [ex. I was so rude yesterday]
2. It’s my fault.

(= I am taking responsibility for the problem)

1. Oops, sorry.

(for very small problems)

1. I should have… [ex. called you and told you I’d be late]
2. (formal) I apologize for… [ex. the delay]

 

 

 

 

5 Ways to Respond to an Apology

1. That’s
2. It
3. No
4. Don’t worry about
5. I forgive

(for serious problems)

 

 

 

 

 

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
8. It’s a pleasure to meet
9.  
10. And you.

#1 and #2 are used to introduce yourself; #3-#6 are used to introduce someone else.

#9 and #10 can be used as a response to #7 and #8.

 

 

 

6 Ways to Show Interest

1. Really?
2. That’s
3. Uh-huh.
4.  
5.  
6.  

You can use these phrases to show the other person that you are listening.

 

 

 

 

5 Ways to End a Conversation Politely

1. It was nice chatting with
2. Well, it’s getting
3. Anyway, I should get
4. (formal) Sorry, but I’m afraid I need to…

 

 

1. I’m sorry to cut you off, but I actually gotta

(cut you off = interrupt you)

 

 

 

10 Phrases for Telephone Calls

1. Hi, this is
2. (formal) May I speak with John Smith?
3. (informal) Is John there?
4. I’m calling about…
5. I’m returning your
6. (formal) One moment,
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

 

 

 

 

10 Phrases for Asking for Information

1. Can you tell ..?
2. Could you tell ..?
3. I'd like to know...
4. Do you ..
5. Do you have any ..?
6. Could anyone tell ..?

(use this phrase when asking a group of people)

1. Would you happen to ..?
2. I don't suppose you (would) ..?
3. I was wondering…

 

 

1. I’m calling to find out…

(use this phrase on the telephone)

Use #4, #5, #7, and #8 when you’re not sure if the other person has the information.

 

 

 

5 Ways to Say “I don’t know”

1. I have no idea/clue.
2. I can’t help you
3. (informal) Beats
4. I’m not really
5. I’ve been wondering that, too.

 

 

 

10 Phrases for Asking for Someone’s Opinion

& Giving Your Opinion

1. What do you think ..?
2. How do you feel about…?
3. What's your opinion ..?
4. What are your views on...?
5. In my opinion…
6. I'd say...
7. Personally, I think/believe...
8. If you ask ..
9. The way I see ..
10. From my point of view…

 

 

 

5 Phrases for Not Having an Opinion

1. I’ve never given it much
2. I don’t have strong feelings either
3. It doesn’t make any difference to
4. I have no opinion on the
5. (very informal)

 

 

 

 

 

10 Phrases for Agreeing

1.  
2.  
3. That’s so
4. That’s for
5. I agree 100%
6. I couldn’t agree with you
7. That’s exactly what I think. / That’s exactly how I
8. (informal) Tell me about it! / You’re telling me!
9. (informal) I’ll say!
10. I suppose

(use this phrase for weak agreement – you agree, but reluctantly)

Note: Avoid the common error of saying “I’m agree” – the correct phrase is “I agree” or “I’m in agreement” – the second one is more formal.

 

 

10 Phrases for Disagreeing

1. I don’t think
2. I beg to
3. I’m afraid I don’t
4. I’m not so sure about
5. That’s not how I see
6. Not
7. Yes, but… [say your opinion]
8. On the
9. (very informal) No way!
10. (very strong) I totally

 

 

 

5 Phrases for Responding to Good News

1. Congratulations!
2. That’s great!
3. How wonderful!

 

 

1. Awesome!
2. I’m so happy for you!

 

 

 

5 Phrases for Responding to Bad News

1. Oh no…
2. That’s
3. Poor

(Use this to respond to bad situations that are not too serious)

1. I’m so sorry to hear
2. I’m sorry for your

(Use this only if someone has died)

 

 

 

10 Phrases for Invitations

1. Are you free… [Saturday night?]
2. Are you doing anything… [Saturday night?]
3. Let me check my
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
9. I don’t think I
10. Maybe another

 

 

 

5       Ways to Make & Respond to an Offer

1. (more formal) Would you like a drink?
2. (informal) Do you want some water?
3. Can I get you something to eat?
4. That’d be great, thanks.

(= yes)

1. No, thanks. I’m

(= no)

 

 

 

 

 

6       Phrases for Talking About Future Plans

1. I’m going to…
2. I’m planning to…
3. I hope to…
4. I’d like to…
5. I might… / I may…

Click here for the difference between may and might

1. I’m thinking about…

 Click here for t he differen t pre po sit ion s t o u se aft er “t hink”

 

 

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
5. I’m crazy about… [soccer]
6. I’m not a huge fan of… [modern art]
7. [Modern art] isn’t my cup of
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)

 

 

 

5 Ways to Make a Suggestion

1. How about… [ex. trying something new]?
2. Why don’t you… [ex. talk to your boss]?
3. Maybe we should… [ex. do more research].
4. I’d recommend… [ex. going to the doctor].
5. Have you thought about… [ex. buying a new computer]?

 

 

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
6. I’m looking for
7. I’m a stay-at-home mom/dad.
8. I run my own
9. I’m a freelance… [writer/designer/etc.]
10. I’m

 

 

 

10 Phrases for Describing Relationships

1. I’m
2. I have a boyfriend/girlfriend.
3. We’re engaged.

(= going to get married)

1. We’re getting married in
2. I’m
3. I’ve been married for… [10 years].
4. I’m
5. I’m

(= my husband/wife has died)

1. I’m not looking for anything
2. I’m not quite over my

(= I still have feelings for my ex-boyfriend/girlfriend or ex-husband/wife)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intermediate Phrases

 

5 Ways to Ask for Clarification

1. Pardon?

(if you didn’t hear or understand what the person said)

1. Would you mind repeating that?
2. What do you mean?

(asking for more information)

1. I’m not sure I follow

(= I don’t understand)

1. Could you explain… ?

 

 

 

5 Ways to Check if the Other Person Understands You

1. Do you understand what I’m saying?
2. Does that make sense?
3. Do you know what I mean?
4. Are you with me so far?

(often used in the middle of a long explanation or instructions)

1. Is that clear?

(often used after giving orders, or expressing disapproval or another negative attitude)

 

 

5 Ways to Ask for Help

1. I need a little
2. Could you help me out?
3. Could you give me a hand?

(usually used for physical tasks)

1. Could you spare a couple minutes?
2. Could you do me a favor?

 

 

 

5 Ways to Ask Someone Else to Do Something

1. (more formal) Would you mind… [opening the window]?
2. Could you please… [turn off the lights]?
3. (informal) Can you… [pass me the chicken]?
4. Please… [send me the information].
5. I’d appreciate it if you could… [wash the dishes].

 

 

 

5 Ways to Interrupt Someone

1. Sorry to interrupt, but…
2. Excuse me – could I talk to you for a minute? / do you have a minute?

(when interrupting a conversation between two other people, to talk to one of them)

1. Could I jump in here?

(use this when interrupting a discussion among many people)

1. Sorry – I just want to say that…
2. (formal) May I have a word?

 

 

 

10 Ways to Encourage Someone

1. Keep up the good work!
2. That was a nice

(say this after someone made a good effort but failed)

1. That’s a real
2. You’re on the right

 

 

1. You’ve almost got
2. You’re doing
3. Don’t give up! / Hang in there!

(when someone is currently having difficulties)

1. You can do it!
2. Give it your best

(best shot = best try, best effort)

1. Nice job! / You did great!

(after the person has done something good)

 

 

 

5 Phrases for Complaining

1. I’m not happy about
2. I’m sorry, but this is
3. I’m not very satisfied with... [ex. this product / this situation]
4. (informal) I can’t stand it when… [ex. the internet is slow]
5. (informal) This

 

 

 

10 Phrases for Remembering, Reminding, & Forgetting

1. I’ll always remember… / I’ll never forget…
2. If I remember correctly… / As far as I can recall…
3. I have a vague recollection of…
4. It’s on the tip of my

(=I’m trying to remember, but I can’t quite remember)

1. My mind went

(= I couldn’t remember/think of anything)

1. It doesn’t ring a

(=it doesn’t sound familiar)

1. Please remember to… / Please don’t forget to…
2. I’d like to remind you about…
3. You haven’t forgotten to/about… have you?

 

 

1. It completely slipped my mind!

(= I completely forgot about it!)

 

 

10 Phrases for Saying Something is Easy & Difficult

1. It’s a piece of
2. It’s a
3. It’s a
4. Anyone can do
5. There’s nothing to
6. It’s hard.
7. It’s a bit
8. It’s really
9. It’s not a walk in the
10. It’s very

(= it takes a lot of time and energy)

 

 

 

10 Expressions about Age

1. She’s in her early

(=20-23 years old)

1. He’s in his late

(=37-39 years old)

1. She just turned six.
2. Act your age!

(use this when an adult is being immature, acting like a child)

1. I’m not as young as I used to be.
2. I’m not over the hill yet!

(over the hill = an informal expression to say “old”)

1. He’s no spring

(= he’s not young)

1. She’s wise beyond her

(she is young, but she has the wisdom of an older person)

1. I’m having a senior

(= I’m being forgetful)

 

 

1. He lived to a ripe old age.

(= a very old age)

 

 

 

10 Phrases for Shopping

1. Do you have… ?
2. Where can I find… ?
3. I’m just

(browsing = looking casually)

1. I’m looking for…
2. How much is this?
3. Is this on sale?
4. Can I try it on?

(use this to ask if you can put on clothing to see if it’s the right size)

1. I’ll take it!
2. Do you take credit cards?
3. I’d like to return/exchange

 

 

 

10 Phrases for Talking about Food

1. I’m starving!

(= I’m very hungry)

1. Let’s grab a bite to
2. How about eating out tonight?

(eat out = eat at a restaurant)

1. I brought some
2. This soup is delicious!
3. Could I have another helping of… [potatoes]?

(another helping = another portion)

1. I’ll have…

(use this phrase for ordering in a restaurant)

1. Could we get the check, please?
2. I’m

(= I’m satisfied)

1. I’m

(= I ate a LOT, maybe too much!)

 

 

 

 

 

10 Phrases for Talking About TV

1. Where’s the remote?

(remote = remote control)

1. Is there anything good on?
2. Can I change the channel?
3. I’ve already seen this
4. This is a

(rerun = an old episode that was already shown on TV previously)

1. I love this show!
2. There are too many
3. Stop channel-surfing.

(channel-surfing = changing the channel quickly)

1. Check the TV

(the TV guide has the information about the TV programming and schedule)

1. It’s the season finale!

(= the final episode of the season)

 

 

 

10 Phrases You’ll Hear in the Airport

1. Do you have any bags to check?
2. Would you like a window seat or an aisle seat?

(aisle = corridor)

1. Here’s your boarding

(boarding pass = the paper that permits you to enter the plane)

1. Your flight leaves from gate
2. Your seat number is
3. Flight 800 is now

(boarding = passengers can enter the plane)

1. Your flight has been
2. Your flight has been
3. This is the final call for flight
4. What is the purpose of your trip?

 

10 Ways to Talk About Price

1. It cost a
2. It cost an arm and a
3. That’s a rip-off.

(= overpriced; far more expensive than it should be)

1. I can’t afford

(= I don’t have enough money to buy it)

1. That’s a bit
2. That’s quite

(= it’s a good price)

1. It’s 20%

(= there’s a 20% discount)

1. That’s a good

(= a good value for the amount of money)

1. It was a real
2. It was dirt

(= extremely inexpensive)

 

 

5 Phrases for Hot Weather

1. It’s nice and warm
2. It’s absolutely boiling!

(boiling = extremely hot)

1. We’re having a real heat

(heat wave = many consecutive days of hot weather)

1. The sun’s really strong
2. It’s hot and

 

 

5 Phrases for Cold Weather

1. It’s a little
2. It’s

(= extremely cold)

1. The temperature’s
2. Make sure to bundle

(bundle up = put on warm clothes for protection against the cold)

1. We’re expecting some winter

(winter weather = snow, hail, sleet, ice, etc.)

 

 

5 Phrases for Talking about Rain

1. It’s

(= raining lightly)

1. It’s

(= raining heavily)

1. It’s raining cats and

(= raining heavily)

1. I got caught in a
2. I think the rain’s letting

(letting up = getting lighter and stopping)

 

 10 Ways to Say You’re Tired

1. I’m
2. I’m dead
3. I’m
4. I’m
5. I’m
6. I’m running on fumes. / I’m running on
7. I can hardly keep my eyes
8. I’m off to
9. I’m gonna hit the

(hit the sack = go to bed)

1. It’s bedtime for

 

5 Phrases for Promises & Resolutions

1. I really should…
2. I promise that I’ll…
3. I swear I’ll / I won’t…

(a very strong promise)

1. No matter what happens, I’m going to…
2. Come hell or high water, I’ll…

#4 and #5 express your determination to do something, even if obstacles appear.

 

 10 Excuses for Being Late

1. Sorry I’m
2. I

(= I slept longer than I should have)

1. My alarm didn’t go
2. I had to wait ages for a

(ages = a very long time)

1. The bus was
2. The traffic was
3. I couldn’t find a parking
4. I got lost coming
5. I was tied up in a

(tied up = occupied, impossible to escape)

1. I just lost track of

(= I didn’t notice what time it was)

 

5 Ways to Say Someone is Correct

1. That’s
2. That’s spot
3. You’ve hit the nail on the head. / You’ve nailed
4. I suppose

(use this when you agree, but you are not completely convinced)

 

 I’m afraid you’re

(use this in response to bad news, to say the bad news is correct)

 

 5 Ways to Say Someone is Wrong

1. I’m afraid that’s not quite
2. I’m afraid you’re
3. No, you’ve got it
4. No, that’s all
5. (informal – rude) / Bullshit.

 

5 Ways to Say Someone is Smart

1. He’s really
2. She’s brilliant.
3. He’s very
4. She’s a genius.
5. He’s a smart

5 Ways to Say Someone is Stupid

1. He’s not the sharpest tool in the
2. She’s a few cards short of a
3. He’s a bit
4. She’s a complete
5. He’s really

 

Advanced Phrases

 

10 Ways to Avoid Answering a Question

1. No
2. I’m not at liberty to

(= I don’t have permission to give the information)

1. Wait and

(= you will discover the answer later)

1. Let me get back to

(= I will give you the answer later)

1. I’m sorry, that’s
2. I’m sorry, that’s
3. I’d rather not talk about
4. It’s none of your
5. Mind your own
6. Why do you want to know?

#8 and #9 are rather rude – telling the other person to stop inquiring about your life

 

 15 Phrases for Being Rich & Poor

1. He’s short on
2. He’s

(= he has no money)

1. His bank account is
2. He’s just scraping

(= he is just barely surviving on little money)

1. He makes minimum

(= he earns the minimum salary)

1. He’s pinching
2. He’s scrimping and
3. She’s very
4. She’s quite well-off.
5. She’s
6. She’s filthy
7. She inherited a
8. She’s making a
9. She’s raking in the
10. She’s rolling in

#6 and #7 express the idea that the person is trying to conserve money, when they have very little money.

 

 

10 Phrases for Talking about Statistics

1. The crime rate
2. The crime rate went
3. There was a sharp increase in

(sharp = sudden and large)

1. There was a gradual rise in
2. There was a spike in

(spike = a sudden increase and then decrease)

1. The crime rate reached its

(peak = the highest point)

1. The crime rate

(plateaued = stayed at the same level)

1. There was a slight decrease in
2. The crime rate
3. The crime rate

(= decreased a lot, very quickly)

 

 10 Ways to Say Someone’s Talented

1. She was born to… [dance].
2. He’s a natural.
3. She could do it in her
4. He knows it inside
5. She knows [New York] like the back of her
6. She’s a walking encyclopedia of… [philosophy].
7. He’s in a class of his

 

 

1. He’s the best in the
2. She’s very
3. He’s a [chemistry]

 

 

 

10 Phrases for Telling Someone to Wait

1. Could you give me a minute?
2. (informal) Hang on a sec / Just a
3. Hold ..
4. Let me see/think…
5. I'll be right with
6. Bear with
7. That’ll have to
8. Be
9. Not so fast!
10. Hold your horses!

#9 and #10 are used for cautioning someone to wait and not make a bad decision or take reckless action.

 

 

10 Phrases for Estimating & Guessing

1. If I had to take a guess, I’d say… [she’s about 35 years old].
2. It’s difficult to say, but I think… [our customers are more satisfied].
3. Off the top of my head, I’d say… [the company has 500 employees].

(= what I remember/estimate, without checking the actual statistics)

1. It’s about… [10 miles away].
2. It’s around… [three hours long].
3. I wouldn’t be surprised if… [Peter asks Jill to marry him].
4. There’s a good chance… [it’ll rain tomorrow].
5. I have a feeling/hunch… [the boss won’t be happy about this].

(hunch = an instinctive feeling)

1. I bet… [he’ll be late].
2. Your guess is as good as

(= I don’t know)

 

 

10 Phrases for Decisions

1. I’m debating between… [option A and option B]
2. I can’t make up my
3. I’m on the

(= I’m in the middle, I don’t know what to decide)

1. I’ll take that into
2. On the other hand…
3. I’m having second

(= I’m reconsidering my decision)

1. I changed my
2. He convinced/persuaded me to…
3. Looking back, I know it was the right
4. It’s up to

(= You can decide)

 

10 Phrases for Good Luck & Bad Luck

1. Good luck!
2. Better luck next

(say this after someone fails, and you hope they do better next time)

1. Just my luck!

(this is a sarcastic phrase meaning that something UNLUCKY happened)

1. Lucky you!
2. That was a stroke of

(= a sudden event of good luck)

1. Some people have all the

(say this when someone else is constantly lucky, and you feel like you’re not lucky)

1. As luck would have it…

(= by chance)

1. He’s down on his

(= he’s having a long period of bad luck or difficulty)

1. No such

(= something good that could have happened, didn’t happen)

1. What rotten luck!

 

 

10 Phrases for Worries & Relief

1. I’m scared that…
2. I can’t help thinking that…

(use this for thoughts that you try to avoid, but they keep coming into your mind)

1. It’s been keeping me up at

(use this when you’re so worried about something that you can’t sleep)

1. What if… ?
2. Whew!
3. Thank goodness!
4. What a relief!
5. You had me worried for a
6. You have no idea what a relief it
7. That’s a huge load off my

 

 

10 Phrases for Talking about the Future

1. It’ll happen any day
2. It’s right around the corner.
3. …in the near
4. It will/won’t happen in our

(= in the next 40-50 years)

1. It’s a sign/taste of things to

(= it indicates how things will be in the future)

1. I’m counting down the days until…

(= I’m excited about the future event, I can’t wait for it to happen)

1. Sooner or later… / It’s bound to happen

(= it will definitely happen sometime in the future)

1. I’ll get around to

(= I’ll do it sometime in the future, but I don’t know exactly when)

1. I’ll do it right away. / I’ll get right on

(= I’ll do it immediately)

1. Time will

(in the future, we will know if something is true/false or good/bad)

#1, #2, and #3 are used to say something will happen soon.

 

 

10 Phrases for Compliments

#1-3 are used for complimenting a person’s appearance

#4-6 for complimenting a person’s cooking

#7-8 for complimenting a person’s home

#9-10 for complimenting a person’s children.

1. You look nice. / You look amazing!
2. What a beautiful [necklace/dress/etc.]!
3. I like your [shirt/shoes/haircut/etc.]
4. The lasagna is
5. You’re a fantastic
6. My compliments to the chef!
7. What a nice apartment!
8. You have a beautiful
9. He’s/She’s so cute!
10. Your kids are a lot of

 

 

15 Phrases for Certainty & Probability

1. I’m absolutely
2. I’m positive that…
3. I have no doubt that…
4. I’m a hundred percent
5. I’m convinced that…
6. Chances are that…

(= this will probably happen)

1. Odds are that…

(= this will probably happen)

1. I seriously doubt
2. I don’t think
3. Probably
4. It’s not very
5. There’s not much chance of
6. I’d be very surprised if that
7. I wouldn’t bet on

(= there’s a small chance it could happen… but it probably won’t happen)

1. That’ll never

10 Ways to Say Something is Interesting/Boring

1. It’s fascinating.
2. It’s
3. I couldn’t tear myself
4. I couldn’t put it

(this phrase is used for en extremely interesting book)

1. I was so into it, I lost track of
2. It does nothing for
3. I was bored to
4. I was bored to
5. I was dying of
6. It’s about as exciting as watching paint

(= it’s very boring)

 

 

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

(= a little sad)

1. Is there anything I can do to help?
2. Cheer up! / Chin up!
3. It’s not so
4. Everything will be
5. Look on the bright

(= consider the positive aspects)

1. It’s not the end of the

(this phrase is used when someone is upset about something small and trivial)

 

 

7 Phrases for Disappointment

1. What a pity!
2. What a
3. How
4. That’s too
5.  
6. It was a real
7. It didn’t live up to my

 

 

 

10 Ways to Say You Don’t Believe Someone

1. Yeah,
2. You're
3. You're pulling my
4. That's a bit of an
5. He’s stretching the
6. He’s not telling the whole
7. She’s being economical with the

(= she’s lying or not telling the entire truth)

1. His story is
2. That's an outright
3. That's a pack of

 

 

 

10 Expressions for Bad People

1. He’s a

(= unpleasant, suspicious, makes you afraid/uneasy)

1. He’s a

(= someone with disgusting sexual tendencies)

1. He’s a sicko.
2. He’s a
3. He’s an asshole.
4. He’s a
5. He’s a

 

 

1. She’s a bitch.

(= she’s irritating and unpleasant)

1. She’s a

(= crazy, irrational)

1. She’s a slut.

(= she has sex with a lot of people)

 

 

 

10 Words for Describing Speaking

1. He yelled.
2. She screamed.
3. I

(= spoke in an extremely quiet voice)

1. We

(= had an informal conversation)

1. He mumbled.

(= spoke in a low voice, not clearly, without opening his mouth much)

1. My kids

(= complained)

1. He rambled. / He went on and

(= talked too much without stopping)

1. She stammered.
2. I snapped at my

(= said a quick and angry remark)

1. He muttered.

(= spoke in a low voice, usually making complaints or negative comments)

 

 

 

10 Phrases for Facial Expressions

1. She was

(= she had a big, radiant smile)

1. The kids were smiling from ear to
2. He looked puzzled.

(= confused)

1. She grinned.

(= had a small smile)

 

 

1. He winced when the doctor gave him an

(= had a quick expression of pain)

1. She gave me a dirty

(= looked at me angrily)

1. She blushed.

(= her face turned red because she was embarrassed)

1. His eyes were glazed over.

(= he appeared

1. Why the long face?

(an informal expression to ask why someone looks sad or upset)

1. Her expression was

(= you can’t know what she is feeling)

 

 

 

10 Phrases to Describe Offending or Upsetting People

1. They got off on the wrong

(= when they first met, they didn’t get along)

1. He got on the teacher’s bad side.
2. She took offense at his
3. He has a chip on his

(= he is easily offended)

1. She got bent out of
2. He left in a
3. She got her panties in a
4. He has a short

(= he gets angry easily)

1. She dissed my

(= she insulted/disrespected my mother)

1. He got his nose out of

#5, #7, #10 all mean the person got irritated/annoyed

 

 

10 Phrases for Bad Travel Experiences

1. My flight was

(overbooked = there were too many passengers and not enough seats)

 

 

1. My flight was delayed/canceled.
2. My luggage was lost.
3. I was jet-lagged.

(= I felt tired because of the time zone difference between my origin and destination)

1. My hotel was in a seedy

(seedy = possibly unsafe)

1. I was

(= I was robbed on the street)

1. The weather was
2. I got the

(= diarrhea)

1. The place was a tourist

(= made only for tourists; not authentic)

1. I couldn’t wait to get back

 

 

10 Phrases for Drinking (Alcohol)

1. It’s on me.

(= I’ll buy you a drink)

1. I’d like to make a

(= I’d like to honor a person/event/idea)

1. Here’s to… (your health / the New Year / our success)!
2. Another round of drinks,
3. Put it on my

(tab = bill to pay later, before you leave)

1. He’s a bit

(= a little bit drunk)

1. He’s completely sloshed/wasted/plastered.

(= completely drunk)

1. She’s trying to drown her

(= drinking alcohol for relief from pain/sadness)

1. I’m the designated

(= I’m not drinking alcohol because I will drive other people home later)

1. I had a hangover. / I was hung

(= the bad feeling you have the morning after drinking too much)

 

 

15 Comparative Idioms

1. It’s as light as a
2. It’s as dry as a
3. It’s as flat as a
4. He’s as mad as a
5. It’s as old as the
6. It’s as quick as
7. She’s as sick as a
8. He’s as strong as an
9. They’re as different as night and day.
10. She’s as stubborn as a
11. He’s as proud as a
12. She’s as white as a

(usually used when someone is very afraid or very sick)

1. It’s as solid as a
2. It’s as good as

(used after something broken has been repaired)

1. It’s as clear as

(= it’s not clear at all)