12 Useful Expressions to Improve Your Spoken English 🗣️✨
Do you want to sound more fluent in English? In this lesson, we’ll help you improve your spoken English with 12 really useful expressions. Most of them consist of two words or tell many of them rhyme or start with the same sounds*. So, they’re easy to learn and remember. Best of all, native speaker use them a lot, so they’re really useful. OK, let’s start!
1. Little by little
If something happens “little by little”, it happens slowly and in small bits, not all at once or suddenly.
- Example A: So, where did you and Mike first meet?
- Example B: We worked together and became good friends, but little by little we started falling in love.
2. By and large
We use the expression “by and large” to say that something is mostly true.
- Example A: How were the sales results?
- Example B: They were pretty good, by and large.
3. Come rain or shine
If something is going to happen “come rain or shine”, it will definitely happen, whatever the weather is like (rain, snow, fog, extreme cold…).
- Example A: Is the tennis competition still on for this Saturday?
- Example B: It’s going to happen come rain or shine.
4. On and off
If you describe something as “on and off”, you’re saying that it happens occasionally – sometimes yes, sometimes no – but not all the time.
- Example A: So, how’s it going with Dave? You’re going out with him, aren’t you?
- Example B: Oh, it’s nothing serious. We’ve had an on and off relationship for about six months now.
5. Pick and choose
If you “pick and choose”, you select the best things from a variety of options.
- Example A: I want the big room with the view of the mountain.
- Example B: I’m afraid you get the room that’s assigned to you. You don’t get to pick and choose.
6. All or nothing
If you describe a situation as “all or nothing”, you’re saying that it’s your last chance to either win or lose everything.
- Example A: The game this Friday is our last chance to win the competition.
- Example B: Yes, it’s all or nothing!
7. First and foremost
Meaning: More important than anything else; above all.
- Example: First and foremost, we need to address the safety concerns.
8. Ups and downs
Meaning: The mixture of good and bad experiences that happen in life or in a particular situation.
- Example: Every relationship has its ups and downs.
9. Live and learn
Meaning: Used to say that you have made a mistake and learned from it.
- Example: I forgot to back up my files, and now they’re gone. Well, live and learn!
10. Rough and ready
Meaning: Simple and not perfect, but effective.
- Example: The shelter was a bit rough and ready, but it kept us dry.
11. Give or take
Meaning: Approximately; plus or minus (a specified amount).
- Example: It will take about three hours, give or take ten minutes.
12. Short and sweet
Meaning: Pleasingly brief; brief but to the point.
- Example: The presentation was short and sweet, exactly what we needed.
1. Gap fill
Complete the sentences with the words from below.
1. I’ve drawn up a list of some do’s and for your first day at work.
2. Pete and Jessica wanted to get away from all the and of the big city, so they moved to the country.
3. All the climbers were rescued from the mountain and are now safe and .
4. We the clients for 3 nights before they signed the contract.
5. This car is too small for a growing family, so sooner or , we’re going to have to get a new one.
6. The contract says quite clearly in black and that you are liable for any damage to the equipment.
2. Sentence completion
Complete the sentences with the correct words.
1. It snowed on and for most of the morning.
2. This game is our last chance to win the competition. It’s all or this Friday!
3. We first met on a project we were both working on, but little by we started falling in love.
4. She was so experienced and qualified that she could pick and from the best jobs available.
5. We’ll be holding the football match this Saturday come rain or .
6. The sales results were pretty good, by and .
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