Advanced Phrases (C1) to Build your Vocabulary & Speak English Like a Native

Get your notebooks at the ready because today  you are expanding your Advanced vocabulary.

Hello everyone, Anna here  from englishlikeanative.co.uk.

In today’s lesson, I will first introduce  you to 15 C1 level English phrases,  

with their meanings and an example sentence.  And then I going to tell you a short story.

A true story.

So that you can hear all those phrases in context.

So, let’s get started.

Number 1. At a loss.

This means feeling confused or  uncertain. Not knowing what to do. 

“My baby has been crying for hours, I’ve tried  everything to settle him but nothing seems to be  

working, I'm completely at a loss.” Number 2. Be aware of something.

This means having knowledge or consciousness  about something, so you know about it. 

“There is an inspector in school this morning. I  don’t want you to panic or do anything special,  

I just want you to be aware  of the fact that she may pop  

into your classroom to see what you are doing.” Number 3. Easier said than done. This means that  

something sounds simple but is actually difficult  to accomplish. So, it’s easier said than done. 

“You are planning to climb Mount Everest  this year, wow…and without any prior  

climbing experience. Well, I mean, climbing  any mountain is easier said than done.” 

Number 4 is to encounter problems or  encounter difficulties. This means  

facing or coming across challenges or obstacles. “Wow! Now I have to climb over this huge wall.” 

“When attempting to summit Mount Everest, Roger  encountered various problems, from high winds to  

altitude sickness, but he got there in the end.” Number 5. Engage in conversation. This means to  

actively get involved in a  conversation with someone. 

“I know a lot of vocabulary but I find  that when I engage in conversation,  

particularly with a native speaker, I  can’t think of the words I want to use.”

And if you need to engage in more English  conversations to increase your speaking confidence  

and active vocabulary then consider joining  my conversation club, link in the description.

Number 6. Get your head around  something. This means to understand  

something that’s complicated or unexpected. 

“I'm trying to get my head around mixed  conditional, but it's easier said than done.” 

Number 7. Get your hands on something. This  means to get, obtain or acquire something. 

“I finally managed to get my hands on a  paperback version of my IPA Workbook.” 

Number 8. Have the highest regard for.  This means to have great respect or  

admiration for someone or something. “I have the highest regard for every  

member of my team - they have gone  above and beyond for this company.” 

Number 9. Be in two minds. This means to  be unsure, to feel uncertain or hesitant  

about a decision. “Oh, what do I do?” 

“I'm in two minds about going to the party  tonight; part of me wants to go and boogie all  

night, but another part wants to be sensible, stay  home and rest before my Football match on Sunday.” 

Number 10. To be on the breadline.  This means to live in poverty or to  

be experiencing financial hardship. “After I had my first child and my  

husband lost his job, we found ourselves  on the breadline and for a while we really  

struggled to make ends meet.” 11. Out of the question. This  

means it is not possible it is not  allowed it will not be happening. 

“Jacob asked me if he could borrow my car  so he could drive, with all of his mates,  

to a 3-day music festival. I told  him it was out of the question  

and that he should take the train instead.” Number 12. Pain in the neck. You might also  

here other versions of this like pain in the butt,  pain in the bum or more rudely pain in the a**. 

This means someone or something that  is annoying that’s causing you trouble. 

“My little sister can be a real pain  in the neck sometimes. She keeps  

asking endless questions. Why this and why  that, why is the sky blue, blah blah blah.” 

Number 13. A sense of belonging.  This means when you feel connected  

or accepted within a group or community. “Joining the hiking club gave me a sense  

of belonging and finally made me  feel like part of the community.” 

14. Sit on the fence. This means to be  neutral or undecided in a situation.  

You are not on one side or the other. “Every time Dad and I have an argument  

about politics mum goes quiet. I know  secretly she agrees with everything I say  

but she pretends to sit on the fence to avoid  any conflict. She’s a pain in the backside.” 

15 is to take great pleasure in something. This  means to enjoy something immensely, greatly. 

“Teaching is very rewarding. I take great  pleasure in seeing my students succeed.”

Ok, so that was our list, now before we move on,  

be sure to click the LIKE button so I know  that you are enjoying my content - now settle  

down and have a listen to my monologue,  see if you can spot the advanced phrases.

You know, when I first moved to London, I was  the victim of a crime. My purse was stolen;  

it contained money, my ID, and my bank cards  which I desperately needed due to having just  

moved house. The money they had stolen was meant  to pay for my taxi home that night and without  

any access to money I was completely at a loss  as to what to do. My supervisor was aware of  

what had happened and decided to pay me in cash  for my shift. Problem solved, however replacing  

my bank card was easier said than done,  the bank wanted ID which I no longer had,  

the whole thing was a real pain in the neck. I encountered many problems and difficulties  

trying to settle in London, I was well and truly  living on the breadline. But giving up and moving  

back up north was out of the question. I was in  London to be a student at the Royal Academy of  

Music. The hardest part was trying to find the  extra money to pay for my Master’s course. When  

I had been offered my place on the course,  I was in two minds about whether to accept,  

because I couldn’t afford the fees. The answer  came during a welcome event at the university,  

while engaged in conversation with a recent  graduate. He told me of a number of Trusts that  

offer grants to help students. I didn’t think I’d  be able to get my hands on one of those grants but  

it was worth a shot. The next day, I wrote to them  all asking for help, and guess what? One of them  

offered to partially fund my course. At first, I  couldn’t get my head around it, I had never been  

given this kind of support before, why would they  choose to help me, I wasn’t anything special. But  

I was extremely grateful, as without them I  would not have been able to do my Master’s. I  

have the highest regard for people who work hard  to support the growth and education of others. 

By the time I had completed my course, I had  developed a real sense of belonging in London and  

couldn’t imagine going back up north. Though when  the opportunity arose to work onboard a cruise  

liner for a few years I didn’t sit on the fence,  I jumped at the chance. I took great pleasure  

in entertaining passengers whilst sailing around  the world and discovering your people and places.

If you are still with me, then please  click on that subscribe button,  

so that we have a greater chance of bumping into  

each other for another English lesson.  Until next time, take care and goodbye.