Common Phrases and Idioms
Phrases and idioms make speech more colorful and natural. Learning them is key to understanding everyday English.
What are Phrases?
A phrase is a group of words that work together as a unit but do not form a complete sentence. They are the building blocks of natural conversation.
Example: "on the way," "at home," "in a hurry."
What are Idioms?
An idiom is a phrase where the meaning is different from the literal words. They are figurative expressions that add personality to the language.
Example: "Break the ice" means to start a conversation, not to physically break ice.
Common Beginner-Friendly Phrases
These phrases are essential for basic conversations and social situations.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| How are you? | To ask about someone’s well-being. |
| I’m fine, thank you. | A polite reply to “How are you?” |
| What’s your name? | To ask someone’s name. |
| Nice to meet you. | A polite phrase used after being introduced. |
| I don’t understand. | Use this when something is unclear. |
| Can you help me? | A useful phrase in daily situations. |
| I’m sorry. | Used to apologize. |
| Thank you very much. | A polite way to express gratitude. |
| Excuse me. | To get attention or ask to pass. |
| See you later! | A casual way to say goodbye. |
Easy Idioms Every Beginner Should Know
Start with these simple idioms to sound more like a native speaker.
| Idiom | Meaning & Example |
|---|---|
| Break the ice | Start a conversation. e.g., "He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting." |
| Piece of cake | Very easy. e.g., "That test was a piece of cake!" |
| Under the weather | Feeling sick. e.g., "She’s a bit under the weather today." |
| A lot on my plate | Busy or having too much to do. e.g., "I can’t join, I’ve got a lot on my plate." |
| Hit the books | To study. e.g., "Exams are coming, it’s time to hit the books." |
| Spill the beans | Reveal a secret. e.g., "Don’t spill the beans about the surprise party!" |
| Call it a day | Stop working. e.g., "It’s 6 PM, let’s call it a day." |
| In hot water | In trouble. e.g., "He was in hot water for missing the deadline." |
| Cost an arm and a leg | Very expensive. e.g., "That new phone costs an arm and a leg." |
| Once in a blue moon | Very rarely. e.g., "We go out for dinner once in a blue moon." |
Tips to Learn Phrases & Idioms
- Use new phrases and idioms in sentences to remember their context.
- Practice speaking them aloud with friends or in front of a mirror.
- Watch English shows or movies to see how they are used naturally.
- Don’t try to memorize too many at once—start with 5–10 and use them daily.