10 Informal Phrases Used by Native English Speakers

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Everyday English Speaking Course

#1 – “Hang in there.”

If someone is having difficulties or experiencing a bad situation, telling them to hang in there means “keep trying; don’t give up; be patient and things will eventually get better.”

10 Informal Phrases Used by Native English Speakers Espresso English

“Hang in there!” (Image source)

#2 – “My new job rocks! / rules!”

Saying something rocks or rules means it’s really great, awesome, wonderful.

#3 – “The new technology blew me away.”

If something blows you away, it means it completely amazed you. Another way to say it is “I was blown away by the new technology.”

10 Informal Phrases Used by Native English Speakers Espresso English

“I was blown away.” (Picture: BNPS)

#4 – “I missed the boat on that one.”

If you miss the boat, it means you are too late to get an opportunity, so you lose the chance to participate.

#5 – “We got off on the wrong foot.”

To get off on the wrong foot means to start something in a bad way. It is often used when two people meet for the first time and have some sort of misunderstanding or disagreement, or their first impression of each other was not a nice one.

10 Informal Phrases Used by Native English Speakers Espresso English

“We got off on the wrong foot.” (Image source)

#6 – “Everybody was freaking out.”

To freak out means to panic or become very upset or agitated.

#7 – “I haven’t done this in a long time. I’m rusty.”

You can say you’re rusty when you used to have good skills or ability to do something, but you haven’t done this activity in a long time. Now you’re not as good at it, because you are out of practice.

10 Informal Phrases Used by Native English Speakers Espresso English

“I’m rusty.” (Image source)

#8 – “Things are still up in the air.”

The expression up in the air means that plans are still undecided or uncertain; nothing is confirmed.

10 Informal Phrases Used by Native English Speakers Espresso English

“Things are still up in the air.” (Image source)

#9 – “We all have to pitch in.”

To pitch in means to join an effort and help with something, usually a project that has multiple people working on it.

#10 – “I’m beat. Time to hit the sack.”

Saying you are beat is a slang way to say you’re tired, and hit the sack means to go to bed.

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10 Informal Phrases Used by Native English Speakers Espresso English

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