Speak English With Vanessa

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Common English Slang Phrases
Dear English Learner,

Get ready to speak confidently with these English slang expressions. I recommend reading these
sample sentences out loud and using the blank space on the last page to answer my challenge
question using the vocabulary. Thanks so much for learning English with me!

Your teacher,
Vanessa

English Slang Expressions

​Buck: a dollar
​
​ As a waitress, I made 100 bucks a night sometimes.
​
​ It’s not very expensive, just a buck or two.
​
​
​ ketchy: something/someone that is suspicious, untrustworthy, or risky in appearance
S
or action
​
Hitch-hiking has gotten a lot more sketchy in the last decade.
​
​I walked on the other side of the road because that guy looked sketchy.

​They decided not to cross the sketchy-looking bridge.

​
​
Out There: something or someone that is extreme or very unusual; strange, weird
​
​ This dress is really out there. It’s not my style.
​
​ Bob is pretty out there, but he has a kind heart.

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​To Be Cool With Something: to allow or accept something to happen without strong
disapproval

​ My teacher was cool with me using the classroom for evening study sessions.
​
​ You still cool with coming over this afternoon?
​ -Yeah, I’m cool with it.

​
​All I Know: used to indicate limited knowledge

​ ll I knew as a child was my small town. I had never visited a big city.
A
​
I don’t know Sarah very well... for all I know she’s a tennis champion!

​
​Chitchat: inconsequential conversation or small talk

​ It was nice to run into her at the store. We got to chit chat a bit.

​The teacher told them to cut the chit chat and get back to studying.

​
​ ll Sorts of: various kinds, many different things
A

​ We do all sorts of stuff when we go to the beach.

Oh yeah, I love all sorts of movies. Drama, comedy, even horror!

​To Come in Handy: to be useful, especially in a sudden or unexpected situation

Meditation techniques come in handy when you’re feeling stressed.

I figured my pocket-knife would come in handy during my travels.

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The Last _____ : a very unexpected or unlikely occurrence

​ The last place I was expecting to meet my future husband was at a bar.
​
​ The last person we expected to score a goal was Sam.

​That’s Just How it Goes: used to show acceptance of an unfair situation

​
​My husband is a qualified doctor, but that wasn’t recognized in this country.
That’s just how it goes.
​
​My coworker called off sick, so I had to work overtime this week. That’s just how
it goes sometimes.

​Fair Shake: a fair opportunity or treatment

​
​My mom never gave me a fair shake. She always blamed me instead of my little
sister.
​
​ I feel like I didn’t get a fair shake with my volleyball team.

​To Fight the Man / The Man: to act in opposition of authority’s desired behavior
​
​My coworkers all wear suits, but I wear a t-shirt and jeans. It’s allowed, and it’s
my way of fighting the man.
​
​My friends and I said we were fighting the man when we graffitied the building,
but really we just wanted to look cool.

​Solid: good, dependable

​
​ The door is made of solid wood.
​
​ A Honda is just a good, solid car.
​
​ Starbucks is a solid company to work for.

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 Vanessa’s Challenge Question
Use the space below to write a few sentences answering this question: Are you cool
with spending 100 bucks on a shirt? What would you spend 100 bucks on with no
problem?

Sample answer: I really can’t think of any situation where I would be cool with spending
100 bucks on a shirt. Plus, for all I know, that shirt was made in the same factory as a
cheap shirt. It’s hard to imagine that even a good, solid shirt would cost that much. But
on the other hand, if I had 100 bucks to spend, I would rather buy a fancy meal with my
husband. We could eat all sorts of exciting food and make good memories, too.

Want to continue becoming a confident English speaker?

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