English phrases that native speakers often use

1. Tell me about it!

"Tell me about it!" literally means "tell me more about it", but is often used figuratively by native speakers to express that they have had the same unpleasant (unpleasant) experience as the person just mentioned.

- "A: Being a single mom is a very hard job". (Being a single mother is hard.).

- "B: Tell me about it!". (I understand - I've been through it).

- "A: He’s always complaining about his boss". (He is always complaining about his boss.).

- "B: Tell me about it!". (I very much understand what you mean).

2. Under the weather

If you hear someone say "I'm a bit under the weather today" don't think they want to borrow an umbrella. What they mean is "I'm a bit ill today".

- "A: I don’t think I can come to the office today. I’m a bit under the weather". (I don't think I can go to the office today. I'm a bit unwell).

- "B: Aw... I hope you feel better soon". (Hope you get well soon).

3. Don’t worry

You will say "don't worry" or "don't worry about it" when you want to comfort or help others relieve stress and worry about a problem.

- "Don’t worry about the exams, you’ll be absolutely fine". (Don't worry about the exam, you will definitely be fine).

- "Don’t worry if you can’t come to the party. I know you’re very busy these days". (Don't worry if you can't make it to the party. I understand you are very busy).

Additionally, you can also say "Don't worry" to tell someone not to do something because you will do it.

- "Don’t worry about dinner. I’ll make it when I get back". (Don't worry about dinner, I'll cook when I get back).

- "Don't worry. I'll do the laundry tonight". (Don't worry. I will do laundry tonight).

4. Let me check

This phrase means you are not sure about your answer, need to double check or find out more information about something.

- "I’m not sure about that. Let me check with my supervisors". (I'm not clear about that issue. Let me ask my instructor again).

- "I don’t remember all the details. Let me check with my colleagues". (I don't remember all the details. Let me check with my colleagues first).

5. I couldn’t agree more

You will use this sentence pattern when you want to emphasize that you completely agree on something (I completely share your opinion/ I agree 100%).

- "A: A lot of kids are addicted to smartphones these days. I think it’s a serious problem". (Nowadays many kids are addicted to their phones. I think it is a serious problem.).

- "B: I couldn’t agree more". (I completely agree).

6. Let me think about it

When you are hesitant about a problem and need more time to think before giving an answer or decision, say "let me think about it".

- "A: Do you want to go to the movies tonight? (Do you want to go see a movie tonight?)

- "B: Let me think about it". (Let me think more).

- "Son: Mum, can I have a sleepover at Rachel’s house this Sunday?" (Mom, can I sleep at Rachel's house this Sunday?).

- "Mum: Let me think about it". (Let me think more).

7. Sorry to bother you

This phrase is often used when you feel like you are bothering or wasting someone's time. It is a polite way to say it, especially if you want to ask someone for a favor.

- "Sorry to bother you, but would you mind telling me where the kitchen is?". (Sorry to bother you, but can you tell me where the kitchen is?).

- "Sorry to bother you, but please could you move your bag?". (Sorry to bother you, but could you move the bag a bit?).

- "A: Do you know where the nearest train station is?". (Do you know which train station is closest?).

- "B: Oh sorry, I'm not from around here". (Oh sorry, I'm not from here).

- "A: That’s alright. Sorry to bother you". (It's OK. Sorry to bother you).

8. Give me a hand

When you want to ask someone for help, you can use the phrase "give me a hand" (meaning "help me"). Alternatively, you can also say "Can you help me out" or "Can I get your help on this".

- "Can you give me a hand cleaning the house?" (Can you help me clean the house?).

- "Can you give me a hand carrying these bags?". (Can you help me carry these bags?).

9. I have no idea

This phrase means "I don't know", used to emphasize that you are completely unclear or do not understand something.

- "A: Is Lee joining us today?". (Is Lee joining us today?).

- "B: I have no idea. Ask Michelle, I think she’ll know". (I do not know. You ask Michelle, I think she knows).

10. I reallly appreciate it

"I really appreciate it" is a polite way of saying when you want to express appreciation or gratitude for something.

- "Thanks so much for keeping an eye on the kids. I really appreciate it". (Thank you so much for looking out for the kids. I'm very grateful).

- "Thank you for helping me with the presentation today. I really appreciate it". (Thank you for helping me with today's presentation. I'm very grateful).

11. What have you been up to?(These days you do?)

"What have you been doing?" or "What has been up to?" is a quite common question, used to ask about the other person's status or recent activities after a period of not seeing each other.

- “A: Hi Chloe, long time no see. What have you been up to?" (Hello Chloe, long time no see. These days you do?)

- "B: I’ve been working a lot these days" (These days I work a lot).

- “A: Lan, what have you been doing?" (Lan, what have you been doing lately?)

- "B: Ah, the same old. Super busy" (Ah, still the same. Extremely busy).

Additionally, you can use other sentences with similar meanings, such as "How’s it going?" or "How are you doing?" which means "How are you?" or "How's it going?"

- “A: Hey Lee. How's it going?" (Hi Lee. Are you okay, how are you?) "

- “B: Not so bad. I’ve got a super busy day. How are you doing?" (Not bad. I have a very busy day. How about you?)

12. You’d better believe it!(Make sure that!)

"You'd better believe it!" means "You can absolutely be sure", used when you want to confirm that something is completely true, and want to convince the other person to believe it too.

- “A: Oh Gosh, she’s going to study abroad next month? Really? She’s got a very good job here" (Oh my God, she's going to study abroad next month? Really? She has a great job here..)

- “B: Yep, you’d better believe it!" (Yes, definitely!)

Besides, you can use the sentence "You bet your ass" to affirm something, similar to "You'd better believe it!".

- “A: Linda, are you coming to my party?" (Linda, will you come to my party?)

- “B: You bet your ass that I'll be there" (I will definitely come).

13. Got a minute?(Are you free?)

You can use this sentence when you want to ask or invite someone to do something, often used in intimate conversations.

- “A: Got a minute, Mike?" (Mike, are you free?)

- “B: Sure. How can I help?" (Have. How can I help?)

In addition to this sentence, two other sentences with similar meanings are "Are you free for one minute?'' and "Are you available for one minute?''.

- “A: Quynh, are you free for one minute? I want to ask you some questions" (Quynh, are you free? I want to ask you a few questions).

- “B: Sure. Go ahead" (Sure. You ask).

14. What a shame!(Unfortunately!)

"What a shame", "That’s a shame" or "What a pity!" is used to express regret because something has not been done or did not happen as expected.

- “A: That purse is really important to me. And I've lost it" (That wallet is very important to me. And I've lost it!)

- “B: What a shame!" (Oh, what a pity!)

- “A: The tickets have sold out already" (Tickets are sold out.).

- “B: That’s a shame. I really wanted to watch that movie" (That's a pity. I really enjoyed watching that movie.)

- “A: It’s raining heavily. I’m afraid that we cannot go to town in the afternoon" (It's raining heavily. I'm afraid we can't go into town in the afternoon)

- “B: What a pity!" (Unfortunately!)

15. Good job! / Well done!(Good job!)

"Good job! / Well done!" Often used to praise and compliment others. At the same time, this sentence is also used to encourage and cheer them up.

- "This is all good stuff. Well done!" (Everything is very fine. Good job!)

- "Well done! Your group did great" (Great. Your team did a great job).

- "Your work is fabulous. Good job!" (Your article is excellent. Good job!)

- "You’ve done a very good job. Keep up the good work!" (You are doing well. Try your best!)

16. Enjoy your meal!(Enjoy your meal!)

"Enjoy your meal!" Used to wish someone a delicious meal, it is also a polite way of speaking and creating a good impression on the other person.

- "Here's your pizza. Enjoy your meal!" (This is my pizza. Wishing you a delicious meal!)

- “A: Can you call me again later? I’m having dinner with my family" (Call me later, okay? I'm having dinner with my family.)

- “B: Sure, enjoy your meal! Will call you back in the afternoon" (Okay, enjoy your meal! I'll call you back in the afternoon.).

17. Try your best!(Try your best!)

"Try your best!" or "Do you best!" Used to motivate and encourage someone to do their best.

- “A: I’ll have a speaking test tomorrow. I'm afraid I won’t do it well" (I have a speaking test tomorrow. I'm afraid that I can't do well).

- “B: Try your best! You can do it!" (Try your best! You can do it).

- “A: I’m not sure if I can do it. I haven’t written anything for a very long time" (I'm not sure I can do it. I haven't written anything for a long time).

- “B: Do your best! You should be absolutely fine" (Try your best! Everything will definitely be fine!)

18. The more, the merrier! (The more the merrier!)

When you want to invite a lot of people to attend an event to make it more fun and exciting, you can use the phrase "The more, the merrier!".

- “A: Mom, could I invite my all friends to my birthday party this weekend?" (Mom, can I invite all my friends to my birthday party this weekend?)

- “B: Sure, darling. The more, the merrier!" (Okay, honey. The more the merrier!)

- “A: Can I bring my flatmate to your party? She’ll be at home alone that day" (Can I bring my roommate to your party? She will be home alone that day)

- “B: Absolutely! The more, the merrier!" (Sure! The more the merrier!)

19. It’s none of your business(It's none of your business)

When you don't want someone to ask about something personal or interfere with an issue you don't want to mention, you can say "It’s none of your business" or "that’s none of your business".

- “A: Hey dude. Did you vote for Trump" (Hey you. Did you vote for Trump?)

- “B: It’s none of your business!" (It's none of your business).

- “A: Why did you break up with Alex? He’s such a good guy" (Why did you break up with Alex? He's good.)

- “B: That’s none of your business. Leave me alone!" (It's not your business. Leave me alone!)

20. That’s enough!(That's enough!)

"That's enough!" means "No more!" or "Stop that!", used when you ask someone to stop their action because it makes you feel uncomfortable or unhappy.

- "That’s enough! I don’t want to hear any more complaints today" (That's enough! I don't want to hear any more complaints today).

- “A: I don’t wanna go home yet. I still need to buy more clothes and shoes" (I don't want to go home yet. I want to buy more clothes and shoes).

- “B: That’s enough! You’ve bought a lot of stuff today" (That's enough! You bought a lot of things today).