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50 Illustrated English ExpressionsHello!The English language has a lot of informal expressions that native speakers use in daily life.These expressions can be confusing for English learners.It’s good to learn new phrases and expressions in context. This makes them much easier tounderstand and remember.That’s why I created this short e-book to illustrate 50 common expressions used by nativeEnglish speakers. It will help you learn new phrases and how to use them in various situations.(Note: each comic is separate; they are not related to each other in a single story).This e-book is a FREE gift from EspressoEnglish.net. Please read it, enjoy it, and share it!If you’d like to learn more, check out my courses and e-books.Best wishes,ShaynaTeacher at Espresso Englishwww.EspressoEnglish.net
rough day a very difficult and unpleasant day. Another similar expression is replying “That’s rough” whensomeone tells you about difficulties, obstacles, and things that are hard to endure.on the verge of ing very close to taking some action. In this case, the man is so frustrated with his jobthat he is very close to quitting (leaving his job)You’re kidding you are joking, you are not serious. We often say this in response to something that is sosurprising/shocking that we wonder if it is really true.How come? an informal way to say “Why?”Don’t get me wrong Don’t misunderstand me. We often say this informal expression when we are talking aboutsomething that could give the wrong impression, and we want to clarify things.hands-down definitely, unquestionably, without a doubtwww.EspressoEnglish.net
wrap up finish, bring to an end/completionworking behind the scenes working in roles that are helpful, but not verypublic or visiblegive them a hand clap hands for them, give them applause, inthanks/recognition for their good workwww.EspressoEnglish.net
I could use (something) thisthing would be very useful tome right nowthat's more like it thissituation is much better thanthe bad/unsatisfactorysituation beforewww.EspressoEnglish.net
packed informal way to say EXTREMELY full of activitypull that off manage to do something very difficultI was short on time I had very little timeget down to business start working seriously, without procrastinating orwasting time or effortan all-nighter a time when I stayed awake the entire nightwww.EspressoEnglish.net
worried sick extremely worried (about anything, not just medical problems)He’s stable this expression is used when someone in a hospital is in OKcondition and not having an emergency at the momentnot out of the woods yet the problems or difficult times are not yet finishedwww.EspressoEnglish.net
I learned that the hardway if you dosomething “the hardway,” it means you doit through bad/difficultexperiences.Look on the brightside consider thepositive aspect of thisbad situationwww.EspressoEnglish.net
I can’t make up my mind I can’t decidemajor in study primarily at university. Your main concentration of study iscalled your “major.” It can also be used as a verb, ex) I majored in biology.overthink think too much. The prefix over- can be used for an action that isdone to excess, more than is appropriate/necessary.go with your gut follow your intuition / deep natural feelingswww.EspressoEnglish.net
I can’t believe I’mextremely surprisedmy car died my carstopped functioning.The word “died” isused informally formachines that stopworking.tricks of the trade special skills orknowledge of aprofessionhit the road starttravelingwww.EspressoEnglish.net
What are you up to? What are youcurrently doing /planning to do?I’m game! I’mwilling to do that!You can also say “I’mdown!”at the crack of dawn very early in themorning, when thesun is beginning toriseready to roll readyto startwww.EspressoEnglish.net
for once we use this expression when someone normally does NOT do thattask. Ex) if Bob is always late, but arrives early one time, we could say “Hey,Bob came early for once” – implying that he normally is not early.doesn't lift a finger doesn’t do anything to help, usually because of lazinessI lost my cool I got very angryI don’t blame you I can understand why you did that (bad thing); it wasreasonable considering the situationwww.EspressoEnglish.net
Can I have a bite? Can I taste some ofthis food?Be my guest. Youhave permission.She could also say,“Go ahead” or“Sure.”I’m not crazy about I don’t like verymuchWhatever floatsyour boat do whatmakes you happy(even if I wouldn’tdo the same)www.EspressoEnglish.net
Where the heck adding “the heck” to questions makes them “stronger,”like you are angry or very surprised about the topic.leftover refers to food that was made previously but not eaten, and saved forlaterDon’t play dumb! Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about!Chill out, dude “Chill out” means “relax”; “dude” is a slang word for a manI swear a very strong way to say “I promise” or “I say this is true”www.EspressoEnglish.net
it was a breeze it was extremely easywinded have difficulty breathing because of intense exercise. Another way tosay this is to be “out of breath.”I bet I’m almost certainsore describes when your muscles are painful, usually because of previousexercisewww.EspressoEnglish.net
I’ll keep an eye out I’ll pay attention to potentially see (what you’re lookingfor)I’m positive I’m very certainbound to will probably/definitely happenturn up appearsooner or later in some time – maybe less time (sooner) or more time (later)www.EspressoEnglish.net
Oh my gosh an expression of surprise/shockit slipped my mind I forgot about itRSVP reply to an invitation to confirm if you will go or notable to make it able to come/attendwww.EspressoEnglish.net
comfy comfortableworking out doingexerciseI picked them up an informal way tosay “I bought them”bucks dollarsThat’s a steal! that’s an extremelygood price / verycheapwww.EspressoEnglish.net
Do you have aminute? a politeway to ask ifsomeone has time totalk to younow's not a goodtime a polite wayto say you’re notavailable at themomentI’ll drop by I’llcome for ashort/informal visitwww.EspressoEnglish.net
hitting the bar aninformal way to say“going to the bar”drown my sorrows deal with problems bydrinking lots of alcoholhit rock bottom reached the lowestpoint (in life)a wakeup call anevent that made mepay attention to thedangers/problemsturn my life around completely change mylifewww.EspressoEnglish.net
on the horizon coming soon in thefutureOops! say thiswhen there is aminor mistake orsmall accidentgrab take with yourhandI could hardly itwas difficult for metokeep a straight face avoid laughing orsmilingwww.EspressoEnglish.net
I dare you Ichallenge you to dosomething difficult /braveout of my league too high-status orbeautiful for anaverage person likemestrike up aconversation starta conversationhit it off like eachother and get alongwell immediatelywww.EspressoEnglish.net
We’d better weshould do this,otherwisesomething bad willhappenget a move on hurry, act fastrush hour time ofday when many carsare on the streetbecause people aregoing to work/homeyou never know it’s impossible to becertain aboutwww.EspressoEnglish.net
Thanks for reading!Visit EspressoEnglish.net for lessons, e-books andcourses to help you improve your English fast.www.EspressoEnglish.net
hurry, act fast rush hour time of day when many cars are on the street because people are going to work/home you never know it’s impossible to be certain about
