Impress English Natives with these 40 Terms

Already speak some English and want to impress the native speakers with your
knowledge? We've gone to the trouble of creating this list of everyday words and
expressions that will finally help you achieve native-level fluency in your
conversational English. So say "see you later" to "hello" and "yes", and say "'sup?"

to "hey" and "yeah". Alright, time to "knock it off" and stop "faffing around".

a rip-off / to get ripped off chill / chill out

A rip-off is something that is very While “chill” can be used similarly

overpriced, for example a fake
Rolex watch being sold at the
price of a real one despite being
of inferior quality. If someone
bought the fake Rolex, only later
to realise that it was fake, they
could say, “Oh no, I got ripped
off!”.
to “hang out”, but not necessarily
requiring company, “chill”, “chill
out” and “calm down” can also
mean to relax after feeling upset,
angry or excited. They are often
used in the imperative, when
someone thinks someone is
overreacting.

I better... easy-going / laid back

This is another way to say “I Two phrases used to describe

should…” E.g. “I better go buy people who are relaxed and
food before the shop closes”. tolerant.

coulda / shoulda / woulda Don't worry about it / No worries

Short for “could have” / “should These are informal ways to say
have” / “would have”. “You’re welcome”.

Dunno H ang on

Short for "don't know". This phrase simply means “wait”.

can't make it Down to earth

This phrase simply means “can’t This is a phrase used to describe

attend”. E.g. “ I can’t make it to people who are practical,

the football match. I’ve already realistic and not arrogant or

made other plans”. overly dramatic.

not my thing No way!

Used to express that something This is also an exclamation of

is not what you like or are surprise, but is common among

interested in. all English speakers.

What's up? / How you doing? may as well / might as well

English speakers rarely say These phrases are used to agree to

“hello”, and it’s far more common do something reluctantly when no

to hear them use one of these better option seems available or

greetings in informal situations. when the something is seen as an

The question greetings normally inevitability.

function more as greetings than E.g. 1: “I know he’s not our best friend,

questions, but it is just as but there’s nothing else going on

acceptable to answer the tonight. Shall we just go to his party?”

question as to simply greet the Response: “Yeah, might as well”.

person in response:
E.g. 2: “As it’s raining, shall we just

E.g. 1: “How’s it going?”. clean the house now so we don’t

Response: “Hey. What’s up?”

have to do it when the weather is

E.g. 2: “How’s it going?”. nice?” Response: “Yeah, might as

Response: “Good thanks. You?” well”.

fair enough What are you up to?

This is an informal phrase used This phrase simply means “What

to express that something you are you doing?”, and is mainly

have been told is acceptable or used in informal situations.

understandable
to be free Whatshisface / Whatsherface

While being free means being These are very useful terms for

able to do what you want or that when you want to mention

an item costs nothing, it is also someone but you can’t

often used to mean having time remember their name. If it’s a

to do something.
male, simply use “whatshisface”

E.g. “Hi dude, are you free in place of his name, and if it’s a

tomorrow? Want to play female use “whatsherface”.

football?”

easy-going / laid back Gotcha

Two phrases used to describe This is short for "I've got you" and

people who are relaxed and is an informal way to say “I

tolerant. understand".

How come? I'm afraid...

This question often confuses Although afraid normally means

non-native speakers when they the same as “scared”, it is often

are first asked it, but it is simply also used to mean “I’m sorry

another way of asking “why?“. but…”. E.g. “I’m afraid the tickets

Keep it in mind though, as are already sold out for the show

English speakers use it very today. You will have to try again

often. tomorrow”.

cheesy / corny couldn't care less

This is used to describe things You can probably work out the

that are overused, unoriginal and meaning of this one. If you really

obviously sentimental, especially don’t care about a topic and

certain films, music and chat-up someone asks your opinion, this

lines. is the right phrase for you.

"Yeah" instead of "Yes" Whatever

This one is very important. Whatever has a few different

Although yes is the word most meanings:

people are taught in their English - It can be used in the same way as

lessons, outside a few formal “any” or “no matter what”. E.g. “I’m

situations it is almost always going to go to the park whatever the

more appropriate to say “yeah” weather”

as “yes” makes you sound more - You’re probably more likely to hear

irritable. Therefore, “yes” is it used as a response to express

mostly used when someone that you don’t fully believe what

feels impatient, sad, angry, someone has just told you. E.g. “I

argumentative or generally in a promise, it wasn’t me who broke

bad mood. your CD”. Response: “Whatever”.

Speak of the devil! To be up for...

When people are talking about Very common phrase when

someone else, and the person organising plans in your spare

who is being talked about time. Being up for something

arrives, one of those talking can simply means wanting to do

say “speak of the devil” to something. E.g. “Hi James, are

express that the person who just you up for playing football today”.

arrived was just the subject of Response: “Yeah, I’m up for that”.

their conversation.

to grab... What do you do?

Although “grab” often means This is short for “What do you do

“hold”, people often use it for a living?”, which simply means

informally to mean “get”.

“What is your job?”. This is a very

E.g. “Hey man, want to grab a important one to remember, as

coffee?”. This person is asking native English speakers often

their friend if they want to go out ask this question the first time

to get a coffee together. they meet somebody.

dude / man
These are informal ways to refer
to your friend, especially if male
Long time, no see
This is what you say to someone
when you see them for the first
time after having not seen them
for a long time (i.e. at least a few
weeks)
doesn't matter / don't mind
These phrases can be used
when you have been asked for
your preference between
different options, but you really
have no preference. They are
short for, “I don’t mind”, “I don’t
care” and “It doesn’t matter”.
Indian food tonight?” Response:
E.g. “Do you want to watch an
action movie or a romantic
movie?” Response: “Don’t mind”.
I get it
This simply means “I understand”.
Make yourself at home
A phrase used when welcoming
people into your home and trying
to make them feel comfortable.
Take care / Take it easy
These are both friendly and
informal ways to say “good bye”.
to hang out
This means to spend time
enjoying yourself with other
people in your spare time. E.g.
“Mum, I’m going to hang out with
my friends today”.
It's up to you
When you are with someone else
and you or they have a decision
to make, and you want to
express that they can make the
decision, just say “It’s up to you”.
E.g. “Shall we order Chinese or
“It’s up to you”.
My bad
This means “my mistake”.
G o ahead / Go for it
This is an informal phrase used
when giving someone
permission to do something.