Advanced Phrases March

I’m absolutely sure. I’m positive that… I have no doubt that… I’m a hundred percent certain. I’m convinced that… Chances are that… (= this will probably happen) Odds are that… (= this will probably happen) I seriously doubt it. I don’t think so. Probably not. It’s not very likely. There’s not much chance of that. I’d be very surprised if that happened. I wouldn’t bet on it. (= there’s a small chance it could happen… but it probably won’t happen)

Here is a list of advanced English phrases and sayings that you can use to teach EFL students, including some religious and non-religious expressions: 1. A blessing in disguise: An unexpected good fortune that arises from what was initially perceived as a misfortune. 2. Barking up the wrong tree: Pursuing a mistaken or misguided idea or course of action. 3. Beggars can't be choosers: Those in need should be grateful for what they receive, even if it's not exactly what they wanted. 4. Better late than never: It's better to do something late than not to do it at all. 5. Don't count your chickens before they hatch: Don't assume something will happen before it actually does. 6. Every cloud has a silver lining: There's something positive or hopeful in every difficult situation. 7. God helps those who help themselves: You should put in the effort to improve your situation, and you'll receive divine assistance. 8. Kill two birds with one stone: Achieve two goals at the same time, or complete two tasks with a single action. 9. Let sleeping dogs lie: Avoid bringing up past conflicts or stirring up trouble. 10. Like two peas in a pod: Very similar or alike. 11. No pain, no gain: You have to work hard and make sacrifices to achieve success. 12. Once in a blue moon: Rare or infrequent. 13. Que sera, sera: Whatever will be, will be (Spanish origin). 14. Rome wasn't built in a day: Great things take time and patience to accomplish. 15. See eye to eye: Agree with someone. 16. The ball is in your court: It's your turn to take action or make a decision. 17. The early bird catches the worm: Those who act promptly and decisively often have an advantage. 18. The proof is in the pudding: The effectiveness or truth of something can only be judged by testing or experiencing it. 19. There's no time like the present: Do something now, instead of waiting for a better or more convenient time. 20. When pigs fly: Something will never happen. These phrases and sayings can be helpful for enriching your EFL students' vocabulary and understanding of English expressions. Feel free to adjust the list based on your students' needs and interests.

No comment. I’m not at liberty to say. (= I don’t have permission to give the information) Wait and see. (= you will discover the answer later) Let me get back to you. (= I will give you the answer later) I’m sorry, that’s confidential. I’m sorry, that’s personal. I’d rather not talk about it. It’s none of your business. Mind your own business. Why do you want to know?

He’s short on cash. He’s broke. (= he has no money) His bank account is overdrawn. He’s just scraping by. (= he is just barely surviving on little money) He makes minimum wage. (= he earns the minimum salary) He’s pinching pennies. He’s scrimping and saving. She’s very wealthy. She’s quite well-off. She’s loaded. She’s filthy rich. She inherited a fortune. She’s making a killing. She’s raking in the cash

The crime rate rose. The crime rate went up. There was a sharp increase in crime. (sharp = sudden and large) There was a gradual rise in crime. There was a spike in crime. (spike = a sudden increase and then decrease) The crime rate reached its peak. (peak = the highest point) The crime rate plateaued. (plateaued = stayed at the same level) There was a slight decrease in crime. The crime rate dropped. The crime rate plummeted. (= decreased a lot, very quickly)

She was born to… [dance]. He’s a natural. She could do it in her sleep. He knows it inside out. She knows [New York] like the back of her hand. She’s a walking encyclopedia of… [philosophy]. He’s in a class of his own. He’s the best in the business. She’s very gifted. He’s a [chemistry] whiz.

Could you give me a minute? (informal) Hang on a sec / Just a sec. Hold on… Let me see/think… I’ll be right with you. Bear with me. That’ll have to wait. Be patient. Not so fast! Hold your horses!

If I had to take a guess, I’d say… [she’s about 35 years old]. It’s difficult to say, but I think… [our customers are more satisfied]. Off the top of my head, I’d say… [the company has 500 employees]. (= what I remember/estimate, without checking the actual statistics) It’s about… [10 miles away]. It’s around… [three hours long]. I wouldn’t be surprised if… [Peter asks Jill to marry him]. There’s a good chance… [it’ll rain tomorrow]. I have a feeling/hunch… [the boss won’t be happy about this]. (hunch = an instinctive feeling) I bet… [he’ll be late]. Your guess is as good as mine. (= I don’t know)

I’m debating between… [option A and option B] I can’t make up my mind. I’m on the fence. (= I’m in the middle, I don’t know what to decide) I’ll take that into consideration. On the other hand… I’m having second thoughts. (= I’m reconsidering my decision) I changed my mind. He convinced/persuaded me to… Looking back, I know it was the right decision. It’s up to you.

Good luck! Better luck next time. (say this after someone fails, and you hope they do better next time) Just my luck! (this is a sarcastic phrase meaning that something UNLUCKY happened) Lucky you! That was a stroke of luck. (= a sudden event of good luck) Some people have all the luck. (say this when someone else is constantly lucky, and you feel like you’re not lucky) As luck would have it… (= by chance) He’s down on his luck. (= he’s having a long period of bad luck or difficulty) No such luck. (= something good that could have happened, didn’t happen) What rotten luck!

I’m scared that… I can’t help thinking that… (use this for thoughts that you try to avoid, but they keep coming into your mind) It’s been keeping me up at night. (use this when you’re so worried about something that you can’t sleep) What if… ? Whew! Thank goodness! What a relief! You had me worried for a moment. You have no idea what a relief it is. That’s a huge load off my mind.

It’s right around the corner. …in the near future. It will/won’t happen in our lifetime. (= in the next 40-50 years) It’s a sign/taste of things to come. (= it indicates how things will be in the future) I’m counting down the days until… (= I’m excited about the future event, I can’t wait for it to happen) Sooner or later… / It’s bound to happen eventually. (= it will definitely happen sometime in the future) I’ll get around to it. (= I’ll do it sometime in the future, but I don’t know exactly when) I’ll do it right away. / I’ll get right on it. (= I’ll do it immediately) Time will tell. (in the future, we will know if something is true/false or good/bad)

You look nice. / You look amazing! What a beautiful [necklace/dress/etc.]! I like your [shirt/shoes/haircut/etc.] The lasagna is delicious. You’re a fantastic cook. My compliments to the chef! What a nice apartment! You have a beautiful home. He’s/She’s so cute! Your kids are a lot of fun.

It’s fascinating. It’s intriguing. I couldn’t tear myself away. I couldn’t put it down. (this phrase is used for en extremely interesting book) I was so into it, I lost track of time. It does nothing for me. I was bored to tears. I was bored to death. I was dying of boredom. It’s about as exciting as watching paint dry. (= it’s very boring)

You’re kidding. You’re pulling my leg. That’s a bit of an exaggeration. He’s stretching the truth. He’s not telling the whole truth. She’s being economical with the truth. (= she’s lying or not telling the entire truth) His story is fishy. That’s an outright lie. That’s a pack of lies.

He yelled. She screamed. I whispered. (= spoke in an extremely quiet voice) We chatted. (= had an informal conversation) He mumbled. (= spoke in a low voice, not clearly, without opening his mouth much) My kids whined. (= complained) He rambled. / He went on and on. (= talked too much without stopping) She stammered. I snapped at my husband. (= said a quick and angry remark) He muttered.