180+ Common English Phrases & Idioms for Intermediate

In English, when conversing, communicating, or expressing a certain issue, native speakers add English phrases & idioms, and proverbs to spice up the story or protect their ideas. This is a pretty cool way to speak English better and become more likable with native speakers.

Therefore, today's English tivi introduces 180+ Common English Phrases & Idioms for Intermediate by topic to help you be more confident in communicating.

10 Phrases for Describing Relationships

1. I’m single.
2. I have a boyfriend/girlfriend.
3. We’re engaged. (= going to get married)
4. We’re getting married in June.
5. I’m married.
6. I’ve been married for… [10 years].
7. I’m divorced.
8. I’m widowed. (= my husband/wife has died)
9. I’m not looking for anything serious.
10. I’m not quite over my ex. (= I still have feelings for my ex-boyfriend/girlfriend or ex-husband/wife)

5 Ways to Ask for Clarification

1. Pardon? (if you didn’t hear or understand what the person said)
2. Would you mind repeating that?
3. What do you mean? (asking for more information)
4. I’m not sure I follow you. (= I don’t understand)
5. Could you explain… ?

5 Ways to Check if the Other Person Understands You

1. Do you understand what I’m saying?
2. Does that make sense?
3. Do you know what I mean?
4. Are you with me so far? (often used in the middle of a long explanation or instructions)
5. Is that clear? (often used after giving orders, or expressing disapproval or another negative attitude)

5 Ways to Ask for Help

1. I need a little help.
2. Could you help me out?
3. Could you give me a hand? (usually used for physical tasks)
4. Could you spare a couple minutes?
5. Could you do me a favor?

5 Ways to Ask Someone Else to Do Something

1. (more formal) Would you mind…[opening the window]?
2. Could you please… [turn off the lights]?
3. (informal) Can you…[pass me the chicken]?
4. Please… [send me the information].
5. I’d appreciate it if you could… [wash the dishes].

5 Ways to Interrupt Someone

1. Sorry to interrupt, but…
2. Excuse me – could I talk to you for a minute? / do you have a minute? (when interrupting a conversation between two other people, to talk to one of them)
3. Could I jump in here? (use this when interrupting a discussion among many people)
4. Sorry – I just want to say that…
5. (formal) May I have a word?

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10 Ways to Encourage Someone

1. Keep up the good work!
2. That was a nice try. (say this after someone made a good effort but failed)
3. That’s a real improvement.
4. You’re on the right track.
5. You’ve almost got it.
6. You’re doing great.
7. Don’t give up! / Hang in there! (when someone is currently having difficulties)
8. You can do it!
9. Give it your best shot. (best shot = best try, best effort)
10. Nice job! / You did great! (after the person has done something good)

5 Phrases for Complaining

1. I’m not happy about this.
2. I am sorry, but this is unacceptable.
3. I’m not very satisfied with… [ex. this product / this situation]
4. (informal) I can’t stand it when… [ex. the internet is slow]
5. (informal) This sucks.

10 Phrases for Remembering, Reminding, & Forgetting

1. I’ll always remember… / I’ll never forget…
2. If I remember correctly… / As far as I can recall…
3. I have a vague recollection of…
4. It’s on the tip of my tongue. (=I’m trying to remember, but I can’t quite remember)
5. My mind went blank. (= I couldn’t remember/think of anything)
6. It doesn’t ring a bell. (=it doesn’t sound familiar)
7. Please remember to… / Please don’t forget to…
8. I’d like to remind you about…
9. You haven’t forgotten to/about… have you?
10. It completely slipped my mind! (= I completely forgot about it!)

10 Phrases for Saying Something is Easy & Difficult

1. It’s a piece of cake.
2. It is a cinch.
3. It’s a breeze.
4. Anyone can do it.
5. There’s nothing to it.
6. It’s hard.
7. It’s a bit tricky.
8. It is really tough.
9. It’s not a walk in the park.
10. It’s very demanding. (= it takes a lot of time and energy)

10 Expressions about Age

1. She’s in her early twenties. (=20-23 years old)
2. He’s in his late thirties. (=37-39 years old)
3. She just turned six.
4. Act your age! (use this when an adult is being immature, acting like a child)
5. I’m not as young as I used to be.
6. I’m not over the hill yet! (over the hill = an informal expression to say “old”)
7. He’s no spring chicken. (= he’s not young)
8. She’s wise beyond her years. (she is young, but she has the wisdom of an older person)
9. I’m having a senior moment. (= I’m being forgetful)
10. He lived to a ripe old age. (= a very old age)

10 Phrases for Shopping

1. Do you have… ?
2. Where can I find… ?
3. I’m just browsing. (browsing = looking casually)
4. I’m looking for…
5. How much is this?
6. Is this on sale?
7. Can I try it on? (use this to ask if you can put on clothing to see if it’s the right size)
8. I’ll take it!
9. Do you take credit cards?
10. I’d like to return/exchange this.

10 Phrases for Talking about Food

1. I’m starving! (= I’m very hungry)
2. Let’s grab a bite to eat.
3. How about eating out tonight? (eat out = eat at a restaurant)
4. I brought some snacks.
5. This soup is delicious!
6. Could I have another helping of… [potatoes]? (another helping = another portion)
7. I’ll have… (use this phrase for ordering in a restaurant)
8. Could we get the check, please?
9. I’m full. (= I’m satisfied)
10. I’m stuffed. (= I ate a LOT, maybe too much!)

10 Phrases for Talking About TV

1. Where’s the remote? (remote = remote control)
2. Is there anything good on?
3. Can I change the channel?
4. I’ve already seen this episode.
5. This is a rerun. (rerun = an old episode that was already shown on TV previously)
6. I love this show!
7. There are too many commercials.
8. Stop channel-surfing. (channel-surfing = changing the channel quickly)
9. Check the TV guide. (the TV guide has the information about the TV programming and schedule)
10. It’s the season finale! (= the final episode of the season)

10 Phrases You’ll Hear in the Airport

1. Do you have any bags to check?
2. Would you like a window seat or an aisle seat? (aisle = corridor)
3. Here’s your boarding pass. (boarding pass = the paper that permits you to enter the plane)
4. Your flight leaves from gate 15.
5. Your seat number is 8F.
6. Flight 800 is now boarding. (boarding = passengers can enter the plane)
7. Your flight has been delayed.
8. Your flight has been canceled.
9. This is the final call for flight 800.
10. What is the purpose of your trip?

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10 Ways to Talk About Price

1. It cost a fortune.
2. It cost an arm and a leg.
3. That’s a rip-off. (= overpriced; far more expensive than it should be)
4. I can’t afford it. (= I don’t have enough money to buy it)
5. That’s a bit pricey.
6. That’s quite reasonable. (= it’s a good price)
7. It’s 20% off. (= there’s a 20% discount)
8. That’s a good deal. (= a good value for the amount of money)
9. It was a real bargain.
10. It was dirt cheap. (= extremely inexpensive)

5 Phrases for Hot Weather

1. It’s nice and warm today.
2. It’s absolutely boiling! (boiling = extremely hot)
3. We’re having a real heat wave. (heat wave = many consecutive days of hot weather)
4. The sun’s really strong today.
5. It’s hot and humid.

5 Phrases for Cold Weather

1. It’s a little chilly.
2. It’s freezing. (= extremely cold)
3. The temperature’s dropping.
4. Make sure to bundle up. (bundle up = put on warm clothes for protection against the cold)
5. We’re expecting some winter weather.(winter weather = snow, hail, sleet, ice, etc.)

5 Phrases for Talking about Rain

1. It’s drizzling. (= raining lightly)
2. It’s pouring. (= raining heavily)
3. It’s raining cats and dogs. (= raining heavily)
4. I got caught in a downpour.
5. I think the rain’s letting up. (letting up = getting lighter and stopping)

10 Ways to Say You’re Tired

1. I’m exhausted.
2. I’m dead tired.
3. I am pooped.
4. I’m spent.
5. I am beat.
6. I’m running on fumes. / I’m running on empty.
7. I can hardly keep my eyes open.
8. I’m off to bed.
9. I’m gonna hit the sack. (hit the sack = go to bed)
10. It’s bedtime for me.

5 Phrases for Promises & Resolutions

1. I really should…
2. I swear I’ll / I won’t… (a very strong promise)
3. No matter what happens, I’m going to…
4. I promise that I’ll…
5. Come hell or high water, I’ll…

#4 and #5 express your determination to do something, even if obstacles appear.

10 Excuses for Being Late

1. Sorry I’m late.
2. I overslept. (= I slept longer than I should have)
3. My alarm didn’t go off.
4. I had to wait ages for a bus. (ages = a very long time)
5. The bus was late.
6. I got lost coming here.
7. The traffic was terrible.
8. I couldn’t find a parking spot.
9. I was tied up in a meeting. (tied up = occupied, impossible to escape)
10. I just lost track of time.(= I didn’t notice what time it was)

5 Ways to Say Someone is Correct

1. That’s right.
2. That’s spot on.
3. You’ve hit the nail on the head. / You’ve nailed it.
4. I suppose so. (use this when you agree, but you are not completely convinced)
5. I’m afraid you’re right. (use this in response to bad news, to say the bad news is correct)

5 Ways to Say Someone is Wrong

1. I’m afraid that’s not quite right.
2. I’m afraid you’re mistaken.
3. No, you’ve got it wrong.
4. No, that’s all wrong.
5. (informal – rude) Baloney. / Bullshit.

5 Ways to Say Someone is Smart

1. He’s really sharp.
2. She’s brilliant.
3. He’s very bright.
4. She’s a genius.
5. He’s a smart cookie.

5 Ways to Say Someone is Stupid

1. He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.
2. She’s a few cards short of a deck.
3. He’s a bit slow.
4. She’s a complete idiot.
5. He’s really dumb.

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Conclusion

Above is a summary of common English Phrases & Idioms for Intermediate. Hopefully, we have contributed to help you learn English in general, become more accessible and more interesting. Good luck with your studies and soon!

In addition, you can refer to many other basic English test preparation materials, such as English stories, words, grammar, sentences, … are constantly update on English tivi.

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