Impress English Natives with these 40 Terms
Already speak some English and want to impress the native speakers with your
knowledge? We've gone to the trouble of creating this list of everyday words and
expressions that will finally help you achieve native-level fluency in your
conversational English. So say "see you later" to "hello" and "yes", and say "'sup?" to "hey" and "yeah". Alright, time to "knock it off" and stop "faffing around".
a rip-off / to get ripped off
chill / chill out
A rip-off is something that is very
While “chill” can be used similarly
overpriced, for example a fake
to “hang out”, but not necessarily
Rolex watch being sold at the
requiring company, “chill”, “chill
price of a real one despite being
out” and “calm down” can also
of inferior quality. If someone
mean to relax after feeling upset,
bought the fake Rolex, only later
angry or excited. They are often
to realise that it was fake, they
used in the imperative, when
could say, “Oh no, I got ripped
someone thinks someone is
off!”.
overreacting.
I better...
easy-going / laid back
This is another way to say “I
Two phrases used to describe
should…” E.g. “I better go buy
people who are relaxed and
food before the shop closes”.
tolerant.
coulda / shoulda / woulda
Don't worry about it / No worries
Short for “could have” / “should
These are informal ways to say
have” / “would have”.
“You’re welcome”.
Dunno
H
Short for "don't know".
This phrase simply means “wait”.
ang on
can't make it
Down to earth
This phrase simply means “can’t
This is a phrase used to describe
attend”. E.g. “ I can’t make it to
people who are practical,
the football match. I’ve already
realistic and not arrogant or
made other plans”.
overly dramatic.
not my thing
No way!
Used to express that something
This is also an exclamation of
is not what you like or are
surprise, but is common among
interested in.
all English speakers.
What's up? / How you doing?
may as well / might as well
English speakers rarely say
These phrases are used to agree to
“hello”, and it’s far more common
do something reluctantly when no
to hear them use one of these
better option seems available or
greetings in informal situations.
when the something is seen as an
The question greetings normally
inevitability.
function more as greetings than
E.g. 1: “I know he’s not our best friend,
questions, but it is just as
but there’s nothing else going on
acceptable to answer the
tonight. Shall we just go to his party?”
question as to simply greet the
Response: “Yeah, might as well”.
person in response:
E.g. 2: “As it’s raining, shall we just
E.g. 1: “How’s it going?”.
clean the house now so we don’t
Response: “Hey. What’s up?”
have to do it when the weather is
E.g. 2: “How’s it going?”.
nice?” Response: “Yeah, might as
Response: “Good thanks. You?”
well”.
fair enough
What are you up to?
This is an informal phrase used
This phrase simply means “What
to express that something you
are you doing?”, and is mainly
have been told is acceptable or
used in informal situations.
understandable
to be free
Whatshisface / Whatsherface
While being free means being
These are very useful terms for
able to do what you want or that
when you want to mention
an item costs nothing, it is also
someone but you can’t
often used to mean having time
remember their name. If it’s a
to do something.
male, simply use “whatshisface”
E.g. “Hi dude, are you free
in place of his name, and if it’s a
tomorrow? Want to play
female use “whatsherface”.
football?”
easy-going / laid back
Gotcha
Two phrases used to describe
This is short for "I've got you" and
people who are relaxed and
is an informal way to say “I
tolerant.
understand".
How come?
I'm afraid...
This question often confuses
Although afraid normally means
non-native speakers when they
the same as “scared”, it is often
are first asked it, but it is simply
also used to mean “I’m sorry
another way of asking “why?“.
but…”. E.g. “I’m afraid the tickets
Keep it in mind though, as
are already sold out for the show
English speakers use it very
today. You will have to try again
often.
tomorrow”.
cheesy / corny
couldn't care less
This is used to describe things
You can probably work out the
that are overused, unoriginal and
meaning of this one. If you really
obviously sentimental, especially
don’t care about a topic and
certain films, music and chat-up
someone asks your opinion, this
lines.
is the right phrase for you.
"Yeah" instead of "Yes"
Whatever
This one is very important.
Whatever has a few different
Although yes is the word most
meanings:
people are taught in their English
- It can be used in the same way as
lessons, outside a few formal
“any” or “no matter what”. E.g. “I’m
situations it is almost always
going to go to the park whatever the
more appropriate to say “yeah”
weather”
as “yes” makes you sound more
- You’re probably more likely to hear
irritable. Therefore, “yes” is
it used as a response to express
mostly used when someone
that you don’t fully believe what
feels impatient, sad, angry,
someone has just told you. E.g. “I
argumentative or generally in a
promise, it wasn’t me who broke
bad mood.
your CD”. Response: “Whatever”.
Speak of the devil!
To be up for...
When people are talking about
Very common phrase when
someone else, and the person
organising plans in your spare
who is being talked about
time. Being up for something
arrives, one of those talking can
simply means wanting to do
say “speak of the devil” to
something. E.g. “Hi James, are
express that the person who just
you up for playing football today”.
arrived was just the subject of
Response: “Yeah, I’m up for that”.
their conversation.
to grab...
What do you do?
Although “grab” often means
This is short for “What do you do
“hold”, people often use it
for a living?”, which simply means
informally to mean “get”.
“What is your job?”. This is a very
E.g. “Hey man, want to grab a
important one to remember, as
coffee?”. This person is asking
native English speakers often
their friend if they want to go out
ask this question the first time
to get a coffee together.
they meet somebody.
dude / man
Take care / Take it easy
These are informal ways to refer
to your friend, especially if male
These are both friendly and
informal ways to say “good bye”.
Long time, no see
to hang out
This is what you say to someone
when you see them for the first
time after having not seen them
for a long time (i.e. at least a few
weeks)
This means to spend time
enjoying yourself with other
people in your spare time. E.g.
“Mum, I’m going to hang out with
my friends today”.
doesn't matter / don't mind
It's up to you
These phrases can be used
when you have been asked for
your preference between
different options, but you really
have no preference. They are
short for, “I don’t mind”, “I don’t
care” and “It doesn’t matter”.
E.g. “Do you want to watch an
action movie or a romantic
movie?” Response: “Don’t mind”.
When you are with someone else
and you or they have a decision
to make, and you want to
express that they can make the
decision, just say “It’s up to you”.
E.g. “Shall we order Chinese or
Indian food tonight?” Response:
“It’s up to you”.
I get it
My bad
This simply means “I understand”.
This means “my mistake”.
Make yourself at home
G
phrase used when welcoming
people into your home and trying
to make them feel comfortable.
This is an informal phrase used
when giving someone
permission to do something.
A
o ahead / Go for it