How to Sound More Natural in English: Idioms & Expressions
How to Sound More Natural in English: Idioms & Expressions
If you’ve ever wondered why native English speakers seem to talk so quickly—and sometimes, what they’re saying doesn’t even make sense—you’re not alone! A big part of sounding natural in English is knowing how to use idioms and expressions. These common phrases don’t always mean what they say literally, but they add color and fluency to everyday conversation.
Why Use Idioms?
Idioms are everywhere in spoken English. Native speakers use them without thinking, especially in casual conversation. If you want to:
Sound more fluent and confident
Understand native speakers better
Add personality to your speech
...then idioms are your friend!
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words. For example:
Break the ice
Meaning: to start a conversation in a relaxed way
Example: We played a game to break the ice before the meeting started.
8 Useful Idioms to Sound More Natural
1. Hit the books
Meaning: to study hard
Example: I have a big test tomorrow, so I need to hit the books tonight.
2. Under the weather
Meaning: feeling sick
Example: I didn’t go to work today—I was feeling a bit under the weather.
3. A piece of cake
Meaning: very easy
Example: That English quiz was a piece of cake!
4. Let’s call it a day
Meaning: stop working for now
Example: We’ve done a lot today. Let’s call it a day.
5. On the same page
Meaning: agree or understand something the same way
Example: Before we start the project, let’s make sure we’re on the same page.
6. Spill the beans
Meaning: reveal a secret
Example: Come on, spill the beans! What did she say?
7. Back to square one
Meaning: start over from the beginning
Example: The design didn’t work, so now we’re back to square one.
8. Break the ice
Meaning: make people feel more comfortable
Example: We played a game to break the ice before the meeting started.
How to Practice Idioms
Keep a notebook of new idioms with example sentences.
Watch TV shows or YouTube channels and listen for idioms in context.
Practice speaking with a teacher or language partner and use new idioms naturally.
Join a conversation class or book club (like ours!) to hear idioms in real conversations.
Final Tip: Don’t Force It!
Using idioms correctly takes time. If you use too many or use them in the wrong way, it can sound awkward. Start with a few, learn how they’re used, and slowly add more to your vocabulary.
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