Learn 30 Most Popular English Phrases

Learn 30 most popular English phrases and idioms.

1. as easy as pie means “very easy” (same as “a piece of cake”)
   Example: He said it is a difficult problem, but I don’t agree. It seems as easy as pie to me! 
2. be sick and tired of means “I hate” (also “can’t stand”)
   Example: I’m sick and tired of doing nothing but work. Let’s go out tonight and have fun. 
3. bend over backwards means “try very hard” (maybe too much!)
   Example: He bent over backwards to please his new wife, but she never seemed satisfied. 
4. bite off more than one can chew means “take responsibility for more than one can manage”
   Example: John is so far behind in his studies. Besides classes, he plays sports and works at a part-time job. It seems he has bitten off more than he can chew. 
5. broke means “to have no money”
   Example: I have to borrow some money from my Dad. Right now, I’m broke. 
6. change one’s mind means “decide to do something different from what had been decided earlier”Example: I was planning to work late tonight, but I changed my mind. I’ll do extra work on the weekend instead. 
7. Cut it out! means “stop doing something bad”
   Example: That noise is really annoying. Cut it out! 
8. drop someone a line means “send a letter or email to someone”
   Example: It was good to meet you and I hope we can see each other again. Drop me a line when you have time. 
9. figure something out means “come to understand a problem”
   Example: I don’t understand how to do this problem. Take a look at it. Maybe you can figure it out. 
10. fill in for someone means “do their work while they are away”
    Example: While I was away from the store, my brother filled in for me. 
11. twenty-four/seven means “every minute of every day, all the time”
    Example: You can access our web site 24/7. It’s very convenient! 
12. fill in (something) means to write words in blank spaces
    Example: Please fill in this form and give it to the receptionist. 
13. find out (something) means to learn or discover something
    Example: My mother is angry at me because she found out that I had quit my French class. 
14. first of all means the very first thing
    Example: First of all we prepared the garden and then we planted the seeds. 
15. for good means permanently
    Example: The city will close the public swimming pool for good next week. 
16. for sure means without doubt, certainly, surely
    Example: I will go to the movie with you for sure next week. 
17. get back to (something) means to return to something
    Example: I was happy to get back to my work after my holiday. 
18. get into (something) means to become interested or involved in something
    Example: I do not want to get into an argument with my friend. We will get into the details of the plan tomorrow. 
19. get into (somewhere) means to enter somewhere
    Example: My friend wants to get into a good university. I bumped my head as I was getting into the car. 
20. get out of (somewhere) means to leave somewhere, to escape from somewhere
    Example: I want to hurry and get out of my house. 
21. make sure means to make certain, to establish something without a doubt
    Example: I want to make sure that my friend is going to meet me tomorrow. 
22. more or less means somewhat, to some extent
    Example: I more or less have decided to study business next year. 
23. no matter means regardless
    Example: No matter how hard that I try, my piano teacher is never satisfied. 
24. not at all means certainly not
    Example: I am not at all happy with my new computer. 
25. of course means certainly, definitely, naturally
26. Example: Of course you can use my car if you want to. 
27. on the other hand means however, in contrast, looking at the opposite side of a matter
    Example: He is very intelligent but on the other hand he is very lazy and always gets low marks at school. 
28. on time means at the scheduled time, exactly at the correct time, punctually
    Example: Our train arrived exactly on time. 
29. once again means again, one more time, once more
    Example: I tried once again to phone my boss at his home. 
30. open to (something) means to be agreeable to learn or hear about new ideas or suggestions
    Example: Most members of the class were open to the teacher’s ideas. 
31. pick up (something) means to get or receive something
    Example: I will pick up my dry cleaning tomorrow. I picked up a copy of the newspaper at the station.