Common Phrases and Expressions in English
Common Phrases and
Expressions in English
Here are a few common
phrases and expressions used by native speakers of English in their
everyday speech. To suggest another or ask a language related questions..
Word/Expression: to wolf
something down
Quick translation: to eat something quickly
Example: "I wolfed down that sandwich so quickly."
My interpretation: Wolves are known for eating their food quickly, for
fear that another wolf will get to it before them. So to "wolf
something down" is to eat as quickly as a wolf does.
Word/Expression: gotta
Quick translation: to have to/to need to
Example: "I gotta leave now."
Word/Expression: to go (expression used where food is sold)
Quick translation: to carry out/to take out with you
Example: a waiter or salesperson may ask "Would you like (your
food) to go?"
Word/Expression: sick (when used to describe a person's mind or
an event)
Quick translation: strange or perverted
Example: "That person is sick!" or "What he did to her
is sick!"
Word/Expression: What's up?
Quick translation: a very casual way to say "Hi" or
"How are you?" or "What is happening here?"
Word/Expression: handy
Quick translation: very useful, very industrious, or able to
fix things themself
Example: "Her husband is very handy around the house."
Word/Expression: to catch a taxi / cab
to hail a cab/taxi
Quick translation: to get a taxi / cab
Example: "Let's catch a taxi to the restaurant."
Word/Expression: to catch a TV show/newstory/conversation
Quick translation: to hear or see something
Example: "Did you catch the news last night?"
Word/Expression: to have time
Quick translation: to have sufficient available time
Example: "If we have time, we can stay at the bar until 11:00 p.m."
Word/Expression: to threaten to kill someone
Quick translation: to be very mad with someone
Example: "I'm going to kill her when I see her."
Word/Expression: "Whatever floats your boat."
Quick translation: whatever pleases you
Example: "I'd prefer to go on Sunday." Response: "OK,
whatever floats your boat."
Word/Expression: shaky/sketchy
Quick translation: unsafe, unclear, not a good idea
Examples: "I'm not sure what my boss wants me to do. His
directions were a bit sketchy." OR "Should you go there?
Isn't that neighborhood a bit shaky/sketchy?"
Word/Expression: "I'm outta here" (I am out of here)
Quick translation: I am leaving now
Word/Expression: guy/guys
Quick translation: a man/a group of men or a group of men AND
women.
Examples: "Hi guys (men and/OR women)... what's up?" "That
guy (man only) is strange." "Those guys (men, or group of
men and women) are also coming with us."
Further clarification: Guy (singular) can only refer to a MAN. Guys (plural)
can apply to a group of men and/or women.
Word/Expression: to double-check
Quick translation: to re-check or verify
Example: "You should double-check our bank account balance before
we plan our vacation trip."
Word/Expression: "You gotta be kidding me."
Quick translation: "You must be joking." OR "What
you are saying cannot be true."
Word/Expression: gonna (pronounced like "gunna")
Quick translation: going to ....
Example: "I'm gonna clean the bathroom today."