In everyday conversation, native English speakers frequently employ informal vocabulary! The capacity to get the picture of what is being said in a casual conversation is something that many advanced learners lack, despite having an island of knowledge in formal English. This is due to the significant distinctions between formal and colloquial English. So the ability to grasp a language in both formal and informal contexts is crucial for a learner to acquire a strong command of fluent English.
Here we’ve put up a collection of crucial informal phrases to assist you.
This phrase is actually an encouragement to persevere or maintain composure in a trying circumstance. The phrase “hang in there” encourages someone going through a rough patch to keep trying, not give up, and have patience since things will eventually turn around. Even if something is challenging, you motivate them to keep going.
E.g. I know you are tensed, but hang in there, buddy—the doctor, is on the way.
“I’ll never get a job.” Hey, just hang in there, I tell you. You’ll get
something better soon, I have no doubt.
This is an incredibly informal and casual way to say that we find someone or something to be fantastic and lovely. It can be used to express gratitude for anything. It can also be used as a general compliment for someone or something.
E.g. Avatar 2 film rocks!
My new job rocks!
You rock!
When you say something “blows you away” or “if it blows you away,” you are expressing your admiration for it.
E.g. The show of support from Indian people just blew me away.
I was blown away by the thrilling nature of that ride!
Fair enough is a phrase used to express that something is acceptable or fair and to respect the motivation behind someone’s actions.
E.g. “I’ll clean our kitchen today, and you can clean it tomorrow.” “Fair enough.”
“He needs more time to finish her homework.” “Fair enough, but we don’t have much time
When you say that someone has missed the boat, you are referring to a chance they may not get it again.
E.g. I’m afraid you’ve missed the boat — all the tickets for that great finale have been sold.
When someone begins a new situation poorly, this phrase is used. When a relationship or endeavor has a rocky beginning, the phrase “off on the wrong foot” is used to describe it.
E.g. my colleague got off on the wrong foot with the new boss.
It means great excitement, shock, fear, delight, despair, etc., to lose or cause to lose emotional control.
E.g. I was afraid you were going to freak out on me
I freaked out when I saw a snake under my car seat
This expression denotes an instance in which you act badly or make a significant error:
E.g. Just don’t screw up this time in your exam
He screwed up and bought an android phone instead of an iPhone.”
To fully unwind or to refrain from allowing anything to distress you.
E.g. We’ll find out if something major occurs, so let’s chill out and focus on getting the job done.
Hey buddy, just chillax. The train doesn’t leave for another 3 hours
Having lost agility or alertness; out of practice. You once possessed good abilities or skills, but it’s been a while since you engaged in that activity. Due to lack of practice, you aren’t as good at it now.
E.g. I’m a bit rusty at golf now.
I haven’t played guitar for a long time. I’m rusty
The phrase “up in the air” refers to a problem or choice that has not yet been resolved or planned in full. “It’s still up in the air whether or not to build a football stadium near the sea.” This metaphor equates an uncertain topic to something that is floating in the air.
E.g. The whole future of this biological project is still up in the air
To pitch in is to join an effort and provide assistance with something, typically a project that involves many people.
E.g. Our boss wants everyone to pitch in this weekend and help clear the backlog.
The phrase I’m beat used to express weariness, exhaustion, or just for fun. Hit the sack is a slang word to go to bed.
E.g. Aww man, I’m so beat, I’m gonna hit the sack.
Making a joke about something or tricking someone or oneself with untrue statements.
E.g. Me: “The gallon price of gas has increased by 20 cents.” “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Mom exclaimed.
You have it now! Here are some informal phrases to make you sound native! How do you feel? Are you going to use these in your upcoming English conversation? You will undoubtedly hear some slang and some of these everyday colloquialisms if you spend time with North Americans. The next time you watch a movie or TV show, try to pay attention to these terms as well to improve your English fluency! Want to learn more English online? Get in touch with English With Janet. In our English conversation course, you can learn even more phrasal verbs, and within a few daily minutes with us, you can quickly master spoken English!
