Everyday Native English (08): Small Talks

Small talk can be a great way to break the ice and meet new people. It can also be a way to connect with people you already know on a deeper level. By asking questions and sharing your own interests, you can build relationships and make new friends.

1. Weather: "It's a beautiful day today, isn't it?" "I can't believe how hot it is today." "I'm so glad the rain finally stopped."
2. Current events: "Did you see the news about [current event]?" "What do you think about [current event]?" "I'm really interested in learning more about [current event]."
3. Hobbies and interests: "What do you like to do for fun?" "What are you passionate about?" "Do you have any hobbies that you're really into?"
4. Food and drink: "What's your favorite food?" "Have you tried the new restaurant on [street name]?" "What's your favorite drink to order at a coffee shop?"
5. Travel: "Have you traveled anywhere interesting lately?" "Where's your dream vacation spot?" "What's your favorite place you've ever been?"
6. Work: "What do you do for a living?" "What's the best part of your job?" "What are you working on right now?"
7. School: "What are you studying?" "What's your favorite class?" "What are your plans after graduation?"
8. Sports: "Are you a fan of any sports teams?" "What's your favorite sport to watch?" "What's your favorite sport to play?"
9. Entertainment: "What's your favorite TV show?" "What's the last movie you saw in theaters?" "What kind of music do you like to listen to?"
10. Holidays: "What's your favorite holiday?" "What are you doing for [upcoming holiday]?" "Do you have any special traditions for [holiday]?"

Here are some examples of how to use these small talks to start conversations:

• Weather: "It's a beautiful day today, isn't it? What are your plans for the weekend?"
• Current events: "Did you see the news about the new space telescope? I'm so excited to see what it discovers."
• Hobbies and interests: "I love to read. What are you reading right now?"
• Food and drink: "I'm trying the new coffee shop on the corner. What's your favorite drink to order there?"
• Travel: "I've always wanted to visit Iceland. Have you ever been?"
• Work: "I'm a software engineer. What do you do for a living?"
• School: "I'm studying computer science. What are you studying?"
• Sports: "I'm a big fan of the Lakers. Are you a fan of any sports teams?"
• Entertainment: "I'm really into the new season of Stranger Things. Have you seen it yet?"
• Holidays: "My favorite holiday is Halloween. What's your favorite holiday?"

Everyday Native English (07)

You can use these phrases to start a conversation with anyone in the morning, whether it's a coworker, friend, or family member. They're a great way to be friendly and show that you're interested in the other person's day.

• "Good morning! How are you today?"
• "How was your night? Did you get a good sleep?"
• "What's on your agenda today? Any big meetings or presentations?"
• "Looking forward to the weekend? Any plans?"
• "Any big plans for today? I'm thinking of going to the park after work."
• "I love this weather! It's so sunny and warm."
• "That's a great outfit! I love that shirt."
• "How's the coffee? I'm still waiting for mine."
• "Did you see the news this morning? Did you hear about the big storm last night?"
• "What's your favorite thing about working here? I love the people and the culture."
• "I'm so glad it's Friday! I'm ready for the weekend."
• "Have a great day! See you tomorrow."

Everyday Native English (06)

Introduction

English is a language full of idioms and expressions, which can be difficult for learners to understand at first. However, once you learn the meaning of some of the most common phrases, you'll be well on your way to sounding more like a native speaker.

In this article, we'll take a look at 10 often used English short phrases and examples. We'll also explain what each phrase means and how to use it in a sentence.

1. Break a leg
2. Hit the nail on the head
3. Under the weather
4. A piece of cake
5. On the ball
6. Spill the beans
7. Cost an arm and a leg
8. Raining cats and dogs
9. Barking up the wrong tree
10. Cut to the chase

We'll also explain what each phrase means and how to use it in a sentence.

✅1. Break a leg

This phrase is used to wish someone good luck, especially before they perform in a play or concert.

• Example: "Break a leg tonight, Sarah! I know you're going to do great."

✅2. Hit the nail on the head

This phrase means to say something that is exactly true or correct.

• Example: "When you said that the company needs more HR support, you really hit the nail on the head."

✅3. Under the weather

This phrase means to be feeling slightly sick or unwell.

• Example: "I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, so I'm going to stay home from work."

✅4. A piece of cake

This phrase is used to describe something that is very easy to do.

• Example: "The math test was a piece of cake! I'm so glad I studied last night."

✅5. On the ball

This phrase means to be alert, aware, and quick to understand things.

• Example: "Our new manager is really on the ball. He's already made a lot of positive changes to the company."

✅6. Spill the beans

This phrase means to tell someone a secret that they were supposed to keep.

• Example: "I was supposed to keep it a secret that Sarah is pregnant, but I accidentally spilled the beans to my sister."

✅7. Cost an arm and a leg

This phrase means to be very expensive.

• Example: "That new car costs an arm and a leg! I'm not sure if I can afford it."

✅8. Raining cats and dogs

This phrase is used to describe very heavy rain.

• Example: "It's raining cats and dogs outside! I'm glad I don't have to go anywhere today."

✅9. Barking up the wrong tree

This phrase means to be looking for something in the wrong place.

• Example: "If you're looking for the bathroom, you're barking up the wrong tree. It's on the second floor."

✅10. Cut to the chase

This phrase means to get to the point and stop talking about irrelevant things.

• Example: "Can you please cut to the chase and tell me what you want?"

These are just a few of the many common English short phrases that you can use in your everyday conversation. Learning these phrases will help you to sound more like a native speaker and make your communication more effective.

  

Everyday Native English (05)

✅off the grid

Unrecorded, untraceable through normal means

For example

• I will be off the grid soon on a road trip.

✅work out

我把。。。想好了

• I had a whole story worked out /我把编的故事都想好了
• I have my whole presentation worked out/我的演讲都准备好了
• Don't worry. We got the whole thing worked out/别担心，我们已经准备好了

✅sell sb out

出卖某人

• He sold me out/他出卖了我
• You gave me your work. You sold me out./你向我保证过。你出卖了我

✅buy sth

相信。。。

• I didn't think the doctor was gonna buy that
• No one is gonna buy that
• I wouldn't buy his story.

✅make sth up

你编的吧？

• Oh, I made up some lame excuse
• You made it up, right?

✅It's totally lame

完全没有说服力

• It is totally a lame excuse. Noboday is buying it./太没有说服力了。没有人会信的
• Cause honestly, it is totally lame.

✅I take your word for it

我相信你说的

• But he's really smart. We'll take your word for it./我们信你说的 

✅see for yourself

你自己看

• See for yourself/你自己看
• Wallac is clean, see for yourself.

✅get it cleared up

解决这件事

• Do not contact Eyal Lavin. Not until we get this cleared up.

 

Everyday Native English (04)

✅This is what I love about this city

这就是我爱这座城市的原因

For example

• Oh my god, this is what I love about this city. You're always bumping into people.

✅What are you doing here?

你怎么在这啊？

✅What do you propose we do?

你说我们该怎么办？

For example

• What do you propose we do here?

✅I'll reason with him

我来和他讲道理

For example

• You could reason with him. You don't know him.
• Give me a few days and I'll reason with him.

✅Talk sb into sth

说服某人做。。。

For example

• He talked you into this? I talked him into this.
• Dr. Decavoli's trying to talk him into taking some time off from work.
• You really think you can talk him into this?

✅Talk sb out of (doing) sth

说服某人不去做。。。

For example

• I came here to give you a chance to talk me out of leaving.

✅I'll get through to him

我会让他理解的

For example

• I was getting through to him.
• I don't know how to get through to him.
• Trust me. I'll get through to him.

✅Gang up on sb

联合起来对付某人

For example

• You remember how you felt when you thought that Eli and I were ganging up on you.

✅

Everyday Native English (03)

✅I was a little insecure

我有点不自信

For example

• I am insecure (我没有安全感）
• You're just insecure.
• How can a hot guy like you be so insecure (像你这样的帅哥怎么能这样没有安全感?)
• 
  

✅If it weren't for me

要不是有我

For example

• I truly believe that I would not be alive today if it weren't for this woman.
• I think I would've given up entirely if it weren't for you and Molly.
• If it weren't for him, we never would've found you.
• You wouldn't have any of this if it weren't for me.

✅You did what you could

你想尽办法。。。

For example

• I did what I could.

✅In case you forgot

你可别忘记了

For example

• In case you forgot, we'll be in the library from 2:30 to 4:30 PM.
• Exams are in a month, in case you forgot.
• In case you forgot, you're still living under my roof.

✅Keep me that way

让我保持那样 (不自信的状态）

For example

• You want to keep me that way
• Let's keep it that way
• Keep it that way
• I know you did what you could to keep me that way.

✅barely said two words [a word/ten words] to me

你都没有怎么和我说话

For example

• You know, you've barely said two words to me the entire evening.
• You've barely said a word in 20 minutes.
• You've barely said ten words to me all week.

✅I was gonna say ...

我本想说

For example

• I was gonna say passion
• I was gonna say a nice guy like you

✅Give me the drill

给我说明了情况

For example

• Cameron gave me the drill
• As soon as Mason is well enough, we'll give him the drill

✅Know the drill

我知道怎么做

For example

• Ok, this is not my first time. I know the drill.
• You know the drill (你是懂规矩的)

✅So can I just be honest with you

所以我能告诉你实话吗？

For example

• I'll be honest with you. You be honest with me.
• I'm just gonna be honest with him.

✅If you ask me

我的意见是。。。

For example

• If you ask me, the kid is very lucky.
• Spooky, if you ask me

✅You'd be much better off

（建议）你。。。会更开心

For example

• You'd be better off just being you
• You'd all be better off coming upstairs to my place for a beer

✅Request a transfer/transfer request

申请调岗

For example

• I'm going to request a transfer
• That is a transfer request
• I'll be expecting your transfer request first thing in the morning

✅We can make that happen

我可以搞定

For example

• I'll make that happen
• We can make that happen
• Yeah I can do that, I mean, I could make that happen

 

  Everyday Native English (02)

• I don't want to bug you...， but ...
• I don't mean to bug you...

不好意思，打扰了！

Examples （例子）

>Excuse me. I don't mean to bug you. You're just moving in, I'm right across the street.

>I don't mean to bug you, do you mind if I open the window (do you mind just giving us a minute)?

                    > Sure/Go ahead. 

•  That's not the point

这不是重点

Examples （例子）

>That's not the point. You don't spank other people's children.

重点不在这，你不应该打别人家孩子 

•  what do you mean, it's gonna change?

你这是什么意思，将会发生变化？

Examples （例子）

>What do you mean by that?

•  Could you do me a favor?

能帮我个忙吗？

Examples （例子）

>Well, do me a favor and stop trying

•  It means a lot to me

这对我意义重大？

Examples （例子）

>What do you mean by that?

•  It means a lot to you. But it means everything to me.

这对你意义重大。可这是我的一切。

Examples （例子）

>What do you mean by that?

• I am so touched you're all willing to do this. 
• 你们都倾力相助，我真的很感动
• What are friends for?
• 朋友是用来干嘛的？：）

这对你意义重大。可这是我的一切。

Examples （例子）

>What do you mean by that?

•  I'll see what I can do.

我来想想办法。

Examples （例子）

>I didn't know it was that important to you. I'll talk to my boss and I'll see what I can do.

> I need your help.

> Well, I am not a psychiatrist. 

> ~But I'll see what I can do.

 

 

 Small Talks in Native English

• Long time no see

好久不见

Examples （例子）

> Long time no see.

> What's new? (what have you been up to?)

> Same old same old (I've been doing...)

> Enough about me. What about you?

> Tell someone I said hi. (Seriously, David. Tell your mom I say hi.)

 

•  what are you up to this weekend?

这周末有什么计划？

Examples （例子）

> what are you up to this weekend?

> keeping busy (not a lot. just chill out. 没啥事，放松休息)

> I need to get some coffee. Catch you later. (结束对话）

•  (以赞美开始）I love your pants. (if you don't mind me/my asking) Where did you get them?

• I see. I should pop into their store some day.

闲聊天气

• It'd (would) be nice if we could get more sunshine

• Lovely day, isn't it? (反话：天可真好啊（下雨））

• It is really coming down out there!

外面雨真大啊