Speaking: Vocabulary for Speaking B2 - Lesson 2: Idiomatic Expressions & Common Colloquialisms 🗣️🧩😉
Objective: To understand what idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms are, learn common examples, and practice using them appropriately to make spoken English sound more natural and fluent.
- Define and differentiate between idioms and colloquialisms.
- Learn the meaning and usage of a range of common English idioms.
- Learn common colloquial terms and phrases used in everyday conversation.
- Understand the importance of context when using informal language.
- Practice incorporating these expressions into spoken English appropriately.
Beyond standard vocabulary and grammar, fluent English speakers often use idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms. Idioms are phrases whose meanings cannot be understood from the literal meanings of their individual words (e.g., "it's raining cats and dogs"). Colloquialisms are informal words or phrases used in everyday conversation (e.g., "What's up?"). Understanding and, when appropriate, using these can make your English sound more natural and help you better understand native and fluent speakers.
Understanding Idiomatic Expressions
Idioms are fixed phrases with a figurative meaning. They can be fun to use but need to be used correctly.
Common Idioms:
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Break a leg! Meaning: Good luck! (Often said to performers) Example: "You have an exam tomorrow? Break a leg!"
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Hit the books Meaning: To study hard. Example: "I can't go out tonight, I need to hit the books for my test."
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Spill the beans Meaning: To reveal a secret. Example: "Don't spill the beans about the surprise party for Sreyneath!"
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A piece of cake Meaning: Something very easy to do. Example: "The first part of the exam was a piece of cake."
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Cost an arm and a leg Meaning: To be very expensive. Example: "I'd love to buy that new phone, but it costs an arm and a leg."
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Under the weather Meaning: Feeling slightly unwell. Example: "I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, so I might stay home."
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Once in a blue moon Meaning: Very rarely. Example: "We only go to expensive restaurants once in a blue moon."
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See eye to eye Meaning: To agree with someone. Example: "My brother and I don't always see eye to eye on politics."
Understanding Common Colloquialisms
Colloquialisms are informal words and phrases used in everyday conversation. They make speech sound more relaxed and friendly.
Common Colloquialisms & Reductions:
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Wanna (Want to), Gonna (Going to), Gotta (Got to/Got a) Informal contractions/reductions. Example: "I wanna grab some lunch. Are you gonna join? I gotta finish this first."
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What's up? / How's it going? / What's new? Informal greetings, meaning "How are you?" or "What's happening?" Example: "Hey Dara, what's up?"
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No worries / No problem / You're good. Informal ways to say "You're welcome" or "It's okay." Example: "Thanks for your help!" - "No worries!"
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Hang out Meaning: To spend time together relaxing or socializing. Example: "Do you want to hang out at the cafe near the riverside this weekend?"
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My bad. Meaning: My mistake; I apologize. Example: "Oops, I forgot to send the email. My bad."
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Awesome! / Cool! / Sweet! Meaning: Great, fantastic, excellent. Example: "I passed my exam!" - "Awesome!"
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Chill out / Chill Meaning: To relax, calm down. Example: "You seem stressed. You need to chill out for a bit."
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Catch up Meaning: To talk to someone you haven't seen for a while and find out their news. Example: "It was great to catch up with you after so long."
Using Idioms & Colloquialisms Appropriately
- Context is key: These expressions are generally for informal situations with friends, family, or people you know well. Avoid them in very formal settings like important business meetings, academic presentations, or formal writing unless you are very confident.
- Don't overuse them: Too many idioms or colloquialisms can make your speech sound unnatural or even confusing if the listener isn't familiar with them.
- Be aware of your audience: Will they understand the expression? Some idioms are more common in certain English-speaking regions than others.
- When in doubt, use standard English: If you're unsure if an idiom or colloquialism is appropriate, it's safer to use more standard language.
Practice Activities
Activity 1: Match the Meaning
Match the idiom/colloquialism on the left with its meaning on the right. (This would be an interactive quiz on your platform.)
| Idiom/Colloquialism | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. Break a leg | A. Very expensive |
| 2. Spill the beans | B. Good luck |
| 3. Cost an arm and a leg | C. Relax |
| 4. Chill out | D. Reveal a secret |
| 5. What's up? | E. How are you? / What's new? |
Answers:
Activity 2: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with an appropriate idiom or colloquialism from the lesson. Click the button to hear a sample answer.
- I was so nervous before my presentation, I thought I might ________.
- "Can you help me with this heavy bag?" - "Sure, ________!"
- That exam was surprisingly easy! It was a real ________.
Activity 3: Mini-Dialogues
With a partner, create short dialogues for the following situations, trying to include at least one idiom or colloquialism naturally.
- You meet a friend you haven't seen in a long time. (Try to use "catch up" or "What's new?")
- Your friend tells you they got a new job. (Try to use "Awesome!" or "Break a leg!" for their first day.)
- You accidentally bump into someone. (Try to use "My bad.")
- Learn them in context: Don't just memorize lists. Pay attention to how they are used in movies, TV shows, songs, and by native/fluent speakers.
- Focus on common ones first: Start with idioms and colloquialisms that are widely understood.
- Don't try to use too many at once: A few well-placed expressions are better than many forced ones.
- Ask for clarification: If you hear an expression you don't understand, ask what it means.
- Keep a notebook: Write down new expressions you encounter with their meaning and an example sentence.
- Remember that understanding them is often more important than using them all yourself, especially in more formal contexts.
Summary: Understanding and appropriately using idiomatic expressions and common colloquialisms can make your English sound more natural and fluent, and help you connect better with other speakers. While they add color and personality to language, it's important to use them in the right context and be mindful of your audience. Keep listening, learning, and practicing!