Speaking: Vocabulary for Speaking B2 - Lesson 2: Idiomatic Expressions & Common Colloquialisms
Welcome back! One of the biggest differences between textbook English and real-world English is the use of informal language. To sound more natural and to better understand native speakers, it's essential to learn some common idiomatic expressions1 and colloquialisms2.
Common Idiomatic Expressions
Idioms are phrases with a figurative3 meaning that is different from the literal4 meaning of the words. Here are a few common ones.
- to get the hang of something
- Meaning: To learn how to do a task or activity.
- Example: "Driving a car with a manual gearbox is difficult at first, but you'll get the hang of it."
- to be on the fence
- Meaning: To be undecided or unable to make a choice.
- Example: "I'm on the fence about whether to travel during Pchum Ben or just stay in Phnom Penh."
- to go the extra mile
- Meaning: To make a special effort or do more than is expected.
- Example: "She's a great team member; she always goes the extra mile to make sure the project is perfect."
- a blessing in disguise
- Meaning: Something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but results in something good later.
- Example: "Getting stuck in traffic was a blessing in disguise, because I missed the beginning of the terrible movie!"
Common Colloquialisms (Informal Speech)
Colloquialisms are the informal words and phrases we use in relaxed, everyday conversation. Using them correctly will make you sound more like a native speaker.
- `gonna` / `wanna` / `gotta`
These are the spoken forms of "going to", "want to", and "(have) got to".
"I'm gonna call him later. Do you wanna come? I've gotta leave soon." - to hang out
To spend time relaxing or socializing.
"We're just going to hang out at the cafe this afternoon." - What's up?
A very common, informal greeting meaning "How are you?" or "What's new?".
A: "Hey, Dara! What's up?" B: "Not much, just heading to work." - No worries / No problem
A casual way to say "You're welcome" or "It's okay".
A: "Thank you so much for your help!" B: "No worries!"
Scenario: A Casual Conversation
Listen to this chat between two university friends. Notice how they use informal language to make the conversation sound natural and friendly.
Piseth: "Hey Sreylin, what's up?"
Sreylin: "Not much. I'm trying to learn this new software for my design class, but it's so complicated."
Piseth: "Oh yeah, I used that last year. It's tough at first, but you'll get the hang of it soon. Don't worry."
Sreylin: "I hope so. Anyway, are you busy? Do you wanna hang out later this afternoon?"
Piseth: "I can't. I've gotta help my parents at their shop. But thanks for the invitation!"
Sreylin: "Ah, okay. No worries!"
How to Use Idioms Correctly
1. They are fixed phrases. You cannot change the words in an idiom. For example, you must say "go the extra mile," not "go the extra kilometer."
2. Know the context. Most idioms and colloquialisms are informal. It's great to use them with friends, but you might want to use more formal language in a job interview or a university essay.
3. Don't overuse them. Using too many idioms can make your speech sound unnatural or strange. A good strategy is to focus on understanding them first. Then, choose a few common ones that you like and practice using them in the right situations.
Practice Quiz: Match the Meaning
Choose the best definition for the idiom or colloquialism.
1. Your friend is "on the fence" about a decision. This means she is...
A) angry.
B) excited.
C) undecided.
→ Answer: C. To be "on the fence" means you haven't decided which side to choose.
2. If a colleague "goes the extra mile", they...
A) do more work than is expected.
B) take a long time to travel to work.
C) talk too much.
→ Answer: A. They make a special effort to do a great job.
Your Mission: The Idiom Detective
Your mission is to find these expressions in the real world.
- Watch a short clip (2-3 minutes) from a modern TV show or movie with native English speakers.
- Listen carefully for informal language. Your goal is to find and write down one idiom or colloquialism that you hear.
- If you don't know what it means, look it up online. For example, you can search "What does the idiom 'bite the bullet' mean?".
- Try to write your own sentence using the expression. This process of active listening and practice is the best way to start building your own bank of natural, everyday English.
Vocabulary Glossary
- Idiomatic Expression: (Noun Phrase) - កន្សោមពាក្យ - A phrase with a meaning that cannot be predicted from the usual meanings of its individual words. ↩
- Colloquialism: (Noun) - ភាសានិយាយ - An informal word or phrase used in everyday conversation. ↩
- Figurative: (Adjective) - ជាការប្រៀបធៀប - Used with a meaning that is different from the basic meaning of a word. ↩
- Literal: (Adjective) - តាមន័យត្រង់ - The most usual or basic meaning of a word or phrase. ↩
- To hang out: (Colloquial Verb) - ដើរលេង - To spend time relaxing or enjoying oneself informally. ↩