Speak English Like Native Speakers - 50+ Native Expressions

49 Native English Expressions  

Here are 49 native English expressions, idioms, phrases and proverbs that will help you sound more like native speakers of English. 

In this article, we've covered English phrases with meanings such as British, American and Austrian English expressions, idioms, phrases and proverbs with their clear meanings, definitions and easy example sentences.

Using these native expressions and idioms and phrases will immediately make you sound fluent, natural and native. So, go through the entire article, note down all the phrases, idioms, expressions and proverbs and start them in your everyday English conversation.

Let's jump into the topic without any further delay!

1: You're minging

Let's say, it's winter and your friend has not taken a shower since the last week. As a result, his body is smelling unpleasantly.

In this situation, native speakers of British English say "You're minging. Go and take a shower.".

Thus, "minging" means "bad-smelling".

2: It's dench

You have seen a video that has caught your attention and impressed you greatly.

In this situation, you're going to say "Wow, it's awesome.", but native speakers of British English will say "It's dench.". Thus, "dench" means "Awesome, cool or beautiful".

3: To bodge something

Your boss has given you a presentation to prepare. As a fresher, you could not do it properly.

In this situation, native speakers use the phrase "Oh, You have bodged the presentation." Which means you have not been able to produce the presentation as expected. Thus, "to bodge something" means "to repair or do something badly".

4: Bob's your uncle

You are guiding someone to the process of making tea. And you want to express the fact that making is very easy. 

In this situation, native speakers of British English use "Bob's your uncle." to express the "effortlessness" of something.

Example: To make tea, just add milk and sugar to hot water, and Bob's your uncle, it's ready.

5: Just popping out

Let's say, you are with your friends in a meeting and you want to go to take tea or coffee. What phrases will you use in this situation? 

In this situation, native speakers of British English will say "Just popping out to take tea." Thus, popping out means "to go out to do something and return quickly.".

6: Let's catch up

This is also commonly used by native speakers of English. This expression is the alternative for "let's meet.". So use this phrase when you want to say "let's meet.".

Example: John, I've not covered the entire syllabus. Let's catch up today for a group discussion over the prescribed topics.

7. To sit on the fence

This phrase means to remain neutral, to refuse to take sides in as dispute. It's used in a derogatory way about someone who lacks courage to decide.

Example: Don't sit on the fence. Either support or oppose.

Thus, "sitting on the fence" means not taking sides due to lack of courage.

8. When pigs fly

The phrase "when pigs fly" is used as part of a sentence to mean that something is very unlikely to ever happen.

Example: You say you'll wake up at 6 in the morning. It will happen only when pigs fly.

Thus, "when pigs fly" means that something is most probably not going to take place.

9. Shoot from the hip

This is a very informal expression often used by native speakers. The phrase "shoot from the hip" means to react to some situation without thinking carefully about it.

Example: John often shoots from the hip without knowing all the facts.

Thus, "shoot from the hip" means to act or react recklessly.

10. Once in a blue moon

The phrase "once in a blue moon" means "not very often or very rarely" and is used as part of a sentence. This is one of the most frequently used expressions in English. 

Example: Nowadays, she is busy with her preparation. I only see her once in a blue moon.

Thus, "once in a blue moon" implies that something takes place very rarely.

11. To make a long story short

The phrase "to make a long story short" means to describe what happened briefly in a few words, leaving each and every detail. If you say "to make a long story short", you mean that you are only going to describe the main points.

Example: To make the long story short: I sold my old laptop.

Thus, "to make a long story short" suggests that you don't want to go into details while describing something.

12. To leave no stone unturned

The expression "to leave no stone unturned" means to try each and every possible way to achieve some target. If you leave no stone unturned, you make an onerous effort to achieve some goal trying out every possible way.

Example: I left no stone unturned to clear the entrance test.

Thus, "to leave no stone unturned" suggests that you try very hard to achieve your goal.

13. To hit the books

The phrase "to hit the books" is one of the most common expressions among students. This phrase means to study very very very hard. If you hit the books, you begin to study in a serious and determined way.

Example: I have 4 exams this week - I have to hit the books.

So, "hit the books" means to study hard in a serious and determined to pass the exams.

14. Don't judge a book by its cover

The idiom "don't judge a book by its cover" means that you should not judge someone or something solely based on their appearance without knowing the full situation.

Example: John is the most knowledgeable person. Don't judge a book by its cover saying he doesn't know anything.

15. To let the cat out of the bag

The phrase "to let the cat out of the bag" means to reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake. If you let the cat out of the bag, you tell of the secret mistakenly.

Example: Finally, I had no other option than letting the cat out of the bag. 

16. To pass an exam/test with flying colors

The phrase "to pass an exam or test with flying colors" means to pass or clear the exam or test very easily and successfully.

If you could pass an exam with flying colors, it means the exam was very easy for you, and you scored well in the exam.

Example: John is very good at English. He passed the communicative paper with flying colors.

Thus, "to pass with flying colors" implies that the test was a piece of cake for you.

17. To get the head around something challenging

The phrase "to get the head around something" means to succeed in understanding something difficult. If you get your head around something, you start understanding it.

Example: It was initially difficult, but I got my head around the chapter of phrasal verb when I read it thrice.

18. To stick to guns

The phrase "to stick to guns" means to refuse to change one's mind. If you stick to your guns, you don't change your own opinion about something despite criticism.

Example: Although john was badly criticized, he stuck to his guns.

19. To cross one's mind

If some idea or thought crosses your mind, you start thinking about it for a short period of time. That is, the thought or idea occurs to your mind.

Example: It crossed my mind that I would need to release the payment for the continuation.

20. To speak one's mind

If you speak your mind, you say exactly what you think and you don't worry if your word will upset anyone.

That is, you have the courage to say what you want to say and you disregard what people will think about it.

Example: John is never afraid to speak his mind.

21. To cost an arm and a leg

You're at the market for shopping. You want to purchase a hand watch. You've asked about the price. The shopkeeper says "it will cost you 1 thousand dollars".

What will be your reaction to this? What phrases will you use in this situation? The native speakers use "It costs an arm and a leg." Thus, if something costs an arm and a leg, it is very very very expensive.

22. Make yourself at home

Some guest has arrived at your house. Now you want to comfort your guest. What phrases will you use in this situation? Or how will you comfort your guest?

Native speakers of English say in such kind of situation, "Make yourself at home." Thus, "Make yourself at home" is a phrase used to make a guest feel comfortable and behave in an informal and relaxed way.

23. Not my thing

Your friend puts forward a plan and says "Let's watch the Titanic movie this weekend.". Now you are not interested in the plan. What phrases will you use in this situation? 

Native speakers say in such kind of situation, "It's not my thing." Thus, "It's not my thing." is a phrase that's used to imply that you are not interested in it and you reject and dismiss the plan.

24. To bring up to speed

Let's say, you -two friends- were continuously discussing a lengthy topic. What happens suddenly is that another friend of yours joins the group discussion. 

Now as your friend who recently joined has no clue about the topic, you need to elucidate or explain the major points of the topic to your friend.

This is the situation when you'll use the phrase "Let me bring you up to speed.". Thus, "to bring someone up to speed" means that you provide them with all the relevant and recent details of something".

25. What are you up to?

This is one of the most commonly used expressions in English. This is a general question and alternative way of asking "what are you doing?".

Let's assume that after a short period of three days, you again meet your friend. Your friend asks you "What are you up to at the moment?". What your friend wants to know is that you tell him what you're doing nowadays. Thus, the phrase "what are you up to?" means "what are you doing?".

26. You crack me up

You have a long friend circle consisting of different personalities. Of them, John is funny, hilarious and comical by nature. What happens is that you -all friends- including John catch up and John starts cracking jokes. 

Everyone then says "John's jokes really crack us all up." Here, "to crack someone up" means to make them laugh. 

27. Let's hang out

The typical way to use this phrase is when you, for instance, start liking someone and you want to spend time with them.

In this situation, you ask for spending some time with them saying "Let's hang out." Thus, "to hang out" means to spend time with some favorite person at some favorite place. 

28. Oh, yes! I really got a kick out of it 

Let's suppose you saw an interesting movie last night which you really enjoyed watching. Now your friend asks you if you enjoyed that movie. What would be the response to this question from your side?

In this situation, you can say " I really got a kick out of it.". So, "to get a kick out of something" means that you find it very amusing and enjoyable.

 

29. Let's call it a day

After working all day, you're now completely exhausted and don't want to work anymore because you think you've done enough.

In this situation, you can the phrase "Let's call it a day.". So, this phrase means to stop working because you're very tired and run out of strength, vitality and energy. 

30. It's a long shot

The expression "it's a long shot" means that there's a small chance of succeeding, but still there's a hope to succeed. As such you want to give it a try.

Let's say, you want an overall 9 band in IELTS exam, and the condition is that you are not really that good at English. 

In this situation, you can use the phrase "it's a long shot". For example, getting an overall 9 band in IELTS is a long shot, but I'll try my best.

31. I'm broke (not having money)

Your friends propose a plan and say "Let's go to the movies this weekend." Here, on your side, the condition is that you're running out of money. In this situation, you can use the expression "I'm broke." Which means that you have no money.

32. To pull someone's leg

John, one of your friends, tells you that he has bought a Ferrari car, and the truth is that he hasn't.

Now you can say to John, "John, have you really bought a Ferrari car or are you pulling my leg?" So, "pulling someone's leg" means to tell them something that's not true as a way of joking with them.

33. I can't even 

You're so shocked, angry, happy or disappointed about a situation or event that you've become speechless and don't find words to describe it.

This is when you'll use the expression "I can't even." For example, how could you do that to me? I can't even.

34. To give the cold shoulder

After three years of breakup, you suddenly happen to meet your ex-girlfriend. As your relationship ended with a bad ending, your ex-girlfriend ignores you intentionally. Here what she is doing is giving you the cold shoulder.

So, "to give someone the cold shoulder" means to show an unfriendly attitude towards them by ignoring them.

35. To feel under the weather

You've got a slight fever. You're not feeling well. While you're experiencing fever, your friends ask you to play with them. 

This is when you'll use the phrase "feeling under the weather". You will say "I'm (feeling) under the weather.". So, "feeling under the weather" means to feel sick or unwell.

36. No big deal

Your friend's laptop has stopped working. He brings it to you and you succeed in fixing it. Your friend then says, "Wow! That's amazing.". 

Here, in this situation, you will say, "It's no big deal." Because your laptop needed only a restart. So, the phrase "It's no big deal." means that something is of little importance.

37. To catch someone's drift

Your home tutor explains the Newton's law of gravitation to you, and after finishing his lecture, he says, "Do you catch my drift?". 

What your tutor wants to ask is "Do you understand what I teach?". So, "to catch someone's drift" means to understand them.

38. I get it

The phrase "I get it." is similar to "I understand it." After or during lecture, your teacher asks your class saying, "Do you get it?" 

As a response to this question, you say, "Yes, I get it." Thus, the expression "I get it" means "I understand it."

39. Has the cat got your tongue?

Let's suppose, your friend John is talkative. But what happens is that you all friends are in a causal meeting and John goes on keeping silence. 

This is when you'll use the expression "Has the cat got your tongue?" Thus, the expression means "Why are you not speaking?"

40. How's it going or What's up?

The phrases "how's it going or what's up?" are the most common expressions in English.

You'll be using these phrases when meeting someone. Thus, these phrases mean "what are you doing or what's happening?".

41: It blew me away! 

This expression is used by native speakers when they are extremely surprised and completely amazed. Extreme surprise is expressed by this phrase. 

Use this expression when you are completely amazed and have no words to express the intensity of your emotions.

Example: John, how do you feel at the wedding party? It blows me away, jack.

42: I missed the boat! 

This phrase is used by native speakers to mean that they had an opportunity to do something but couldn't do because of some reason. So, use this expression when you had an opportunity but missed it. 

Example: John, did you participate in the poem competition? No man, I missed the boat, Jack.

43: To cut to the chase

This expression is most commonly used by North-American native speakers of English. This phrase means to come to the main point without talking around. Start using this phrase right away in your everyday English conversation.

Example: To cut to the chase, I missed today's class because I was sick.

44: To freak out

This phrase is also most frequently used by native speakers in the US. This expression means to go crazy or be upset, angry or agitated. Use this phrase in your daily English conversation in place of "go crazy".

Example: OMG! I freaked out as soon as I saw such a majestic view of the mountain.

45: To hit the sack 

This is one of the most commonly used English expressions by native speakers of English. This phrase means to go to bed in order to sleep. So, use this phrase in place of "go to bed".

Example: I'm so tired. I'm gonna hit the sack right away.

46: Let's catch up

This is also commonly used by native speakers of English. This expression is the alternative for "let's meet.". So use this expression when you want to say "let's meet.".

Example: John, I've not covered the entire syllabus. Let's catch up today for a group discussion over the prescribed topics.

47: Hang tight.

You are on the way to your friend's house. You're going to attend a wedding party. You're the special guest. Your friends are asking about when you will arrive. This is the situation when you will use the phrase "Hang tight.". 

Example: I'm just about to arrive. Hang tight.

Thus, "Hang tight" means wait patiently.

48: To get the hang of it

You are a fresh graduate, have got a job and don't know how to handle it. Your friends will comfort you in this situation. This is the situation when they'll use this phrase.

Example: Don't worry, John, you'll get the hang of it.

So, "to get the hang of it" means "to get used to it." You'll learn to do it.

49: Long time no see

Your friends have isolated themselves in the room as they're preparing for their exams. One day, they suddenly meet you. This is the situation when you'll use this phrase.

Example: Long time no see, guys.

So, "Long time no see" means "It's been a long time since we met.".

50: To break the ice.

You are going to attend a meeting and meet a new person for the first time. Your boss asks you the question, "John, how will you break the ice when you meet the new person?" The phrase, "to break the ice" means "to start a conversation".