12 Colloquial expressions in English

12 advanced English colloquial expressions

Post updated May 29th 2024

English lesson: A casual chat between colleagues

1. Listen to the conversation between Steve and Helen. (Just listen and try to catch the general meaning).

2.Listen again pausing at the gaps in the exercise below.  Fill in the missing words. 

12 colloquial phrases and slang expressions

All the missing phrases from the dialogue above are typical everyday expressions used by native speakers.

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Your turn to try out these colloquial words and slang expressions! 

What would you say? Use the phrases from above.  

Write your answers in the comments.

  1. You are feeling tired and have a lot of tension because of work. What would you say?
  2. Ask me for help.
  3. You’ve been looking for a new office chair for weeks. Finally you see one you like in a shop. What would you say?
  4. How would you ask someone a personal/delicate question?
  5. Tell a friend to look after themselves.
  6. Tell your friend you won’t tell anyone their secret.
  7. A friend says “See you at 15!” How do you respond?
  8. You need to stop the conversation because you are in a hurry. What do you say?
  9. You need to help your 12 year old niece with her maths homework, but you don’t understand it! What do you say?
  10. A colleague asks if you can switch the meeting from Monday to Thursday. That’s not a problem for you. What do you say?

24 thoughts on “12 advanced English colloquial expressions”

  1. 1 I’m a bit stressed out!
    2 Do you fancy giving me a hand?
    3 It’s just the job!
    4 Do you mind me asking?
    5 Take it easy
    6 My lips are sealed
    7 cool
    8 Must dash
    9 I can’t get my head round it
    10 No worries

  2. 1 You are feeling tired and have a lot of tension because of work. What would you say? I am stressed out
    2 Ask me for help. Do you fancy giving me a hand?
    3 You’ve been looking for a new office chair for weeks. Finally you see one you like in a shop. What would you say? It is just the job
    4 How would you ask someone a personal/delicate question? Do you mind me asking?
    5 Tell a friend to look after themselves. Take it easy
    6 Tell your friend you won’t tell anyone their secret. My lips are sealed.
    7 A friend says “See you at 15!” How do you respond? Cool
    8 You need to stop the conversation because you are in a hurry. What do you say? Must dash
    9 You need to help your 12 year old niece with her maths homework, but you don’t understand it! What do you say? I can’t get my head round it.
    10 A colleague asks if you can switch the meeting from Monday to Thursday. That’s not a problem for you. What do you say? No worries

  3. 1. I’m stressed out.
    2. Do you fancy giving me a hand?
    3. It’s just the job!
    4. Do you mind me asking?
    5. Take it easy!
    6. My lips are sealed.
    7. Cool
    8. Must dash
    9. I can’t get my head round it.
    10. No worries!

  4. 1I’ m a bit stressed
    2do you fancy giving a hand ?
    3 It is my job
    4 Can mind me asking ?
    5Take it easy
    6My lips will be sealed
    7yes see you later
    8Must dash

  5. 1. I’m a bit stressed out.
    2. Do you fancy giving me a hand?
    3. It’s just the job!
    4. Do you mind me asking?
    5. Take it easy.
    6. My lips are sealed.
    7. Cool!
    8. Must dash!
    9. I can’t get my head round it!
    10. No worries.

  6. 1. You are feeling tired and have a lot of tension because of work. What would you say? I’m a bit stressed out
    2. Ask me for help. Can you give me a hand?
    3. You’ve been looking for a new office chair for weeks. Finally you see one you like in a shop. What would you say? It’s just the job
    4. How would you ask someone a personal/delicate question? Do you mind me asking
    5. Tell a friend to look after themselves. Take it easy
    6. Tell your friend you won’t tell anyone their secret. My lips are sealed
    7. A friend says “See you at 15!” How do you respond? Are you kidding
    8. You need to stop the conversation because you are in a hurry. What do you say? must dash
    9. You need to help your 12 year old niece with her maths homework, but you don’t understand it! What do you say? l can’t get my head round it
    10. A colleague asks if you can switch the meeting from Monday to Thursday. That’s not a problem for you. What do you say? No worries

    1. Good work Enrica.
      (Better if no. 7 is ‘Cool!’. You could use Are you kidding? if you’re being sarcastic)

  7. 1. I’m so stressed out
    2. Do you fancy giving me a hand?
    3. It’s just the job
    4. Do you mind me asking?
    5. Take it easy!
    6. My lips are sealed
    7. Cool!
    8. Must dash
    9. I can’t get my head round it
    10. No worries!

  8. 1. I’m a bit stressed out.
    2. Do you fancy giving me a hand?
    3. It’s just the job!
    4. Do you mind me asking?
    5. Take it easy!
    6. My lips are sealed.
    7. Cool.
    8. Must dash.
    9. I can’t get my head round it.
    10. No worries.

  9. Gabriela Calvache

    1. Today was a heavy day.
    2. Could you help me with this?
    3. I really like this one
    4. Would you mind if I ask you?
    5.Take it easy
    6. I promise not to say anything
    7. Cool
    8.Gotta run
    9. I can’t believe it
    10. Nothing to worry about

    1. Hi Gabriela, these work well👍
      Have a look at the comments of other followers to see how they used the language from the lesson 🤗

  10. 1. I’m a bit stressed out.
    2. Do you fancy giving me a hand?
    3. It’s just the job!
    4. Do you mind me asking?
    5. Take it easy!
    6. My lips are sealed!
    7. Cool!
    8. Must dash!
    9. I can’t get my head round it!
    10. No worries!

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