18 Advanced Speaking Expressions for Daily Conversations with PDF | Total English Fluency

Hi there, this is Harry and welcome back to  advanced English lessons with Harry, where I try  

to help you to get a better understanding of the  English language. Helping you with expressions and  

phrases, how to use your vocabulary, how to grow  your vocabulary, how to introduce those phrases at  

the right time. And in this particular lesson,  today, we're going to look at expressions and  

phrases and expressions and phrases that you can  use everyday expressions. Everyday phrases. You  

can pick up some of these, you can drop them into  your conversation, so see how we get on with them,  

they will help you out of sticky situations. These  are expressions that native speakers use all of  

the time. And if you're listening to people, I'd  be more than surprised if you don't recognise  

some of these immediately. Okay, so let's get on  with this particular lesson, this advanced English  

lesson, looking at expressions, and we headed up  how to speak English in 30 minutes. So if you can  

use some of these and concentrate and focus on  this particular lesson, then in 30 minutes there,  

there abouts, you're going to pick up phrases  that you can use on a day to day basis.

Okay, number one, at the end of the day, at  the end of the day. This is very, very common,  

very well used, it's used by people to introduce  a summary or bring about a conclusion in something  

they are saying, you know, so for example, I know  it's been a tough project for us all. But at the  

end of the day, we have learned a lot. Now, it  could be the teacher who's saying it to the class,  

I know this has been a tough year, a tough  academic year for all of us. But at the end of  

the day, it's going to help you to pass those all  important exams that are beginning next week. So  

the teacher can use it in that respect, at the end  of the day means in summary or in conclusion, at  

the end of the day, I think we can all agree that  family comes first. And these are the important  

things that matter. So at the end of the day, no  matter what happens, no matter what arguments we  

have, family always comes first. Okay, so at  the end of the day, so well-used expression.

Number two, this one, as a matter of fact. Now,  we use this when we want to tell somebody that  

in fact, we have done what they're just about  to ask us to do or what they're just about to  

remind us. Yeah, so if your mother or father or  somebody, your boss is going to ask you, did you  

send that package? Did you do that homework? Did  you call your granny as a matter of fact, I've  

just finished talking to granny. Yeah, as a matter  of fact, I sent the email to you two minutes ago,  

you should see it in your inbox. As a matter of  fact, I've just got off the phone to that client,  

and I'm going to meet them next week. Okay,  so as a matter of fact, is a great way to  

tell somebody an important piece of information  that they are just about to remind you about,  

or they're going to annoy you about again.  Okay. So some examples. As a matter of fact,  

I've already completed that task, so no need  to remind me it's done. As a matter of fact,  

I won't be able to attend the meeting tomorrow,  after all, I've got to go and meet that site.  

Okay. So just different ways in which you can  use that expression, as a matter of fact, but  

what you're doing is, you're telling somebody that  there's no need to remind you, there's no need to  

ask you, because whatever they're going to ask,  it has already been done already been achieved.

Number three, by and large, by and large. So  what does that mean by and large, it's usually  

used to indicate a particular or general trend,  or an overall view of something. By and large,  

people are pretty good in the company, they don't  abuse the hospitality, you get one or two people  

who are late on on a regular basis. But by and  large, everybody seems to start work in around  

the same time, by and large, or, by and large,  I tend to agree with you so 90% of the time,  

I agree with you, but this maybe 10% when I  don't, so by and large, people tend to agree  

that they don't make or cause any difficulties,  but occasionally something might happen.  

By and large, the new policy that the company  introduced has been well accepted well regarded  

by the employees by and large, so it leaves  room for some people disagreeing but not many.  

By and large, we tend to get a lot of  rain in the months of March and April  

in this part of the country  by and large. So in general,  

a general opinion now there could be exceptions,  but that's usually the way it is by and large.

Another expression number four in the grand scheme  of things this me means when you take everything  

into consideration that really important matters  in the grand scheme of things. So it's used to  

indicate the larger perspective, you know, we're  not just focusing on the minute I have the detail,  

we're looking at the bigger picture, as they  like to say the bigger picture. So in the grand  

scheme of things, it doesn't matter whether  we miss our deadline by 15 minutes or a day,  

it's not going to change dramatically, it's good  to meet the deadlines. But, you know, in the grand  

scheme of things, it's not the most important  thing, okay, so in the grand scheme of things,  

this setback, it's only a minor setback, it's  not going to cause huge problems. So don't worry,  

in the grand scheme of things, a few extra  dollars spent here and there to keep the  

staff happy. It's not such a bad idea, we're  not going to go bust as a result in the grand  

scheme of things. So that it literally means  there are more important things in life,  

there are more important things to worry  about. So in the grand scheme of things.

And if you do, like this particular  lesson, and please, please like the video,  

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Number five, in the nick of time, in the nick of  time. Now this means that you do something just  

ahead of the deadline, or just before something  becomes an issue. So it's, it's, it's just at  

the right time. Yes, it's any few minutes later,  and it would have been too late. So in the nick  

of time, for example, we arrived in the airport  in the nick of time, just as our flight was being  

called. So perhaps we left a little bit tight to  leave home. You know, we had the foot to the floor  

when we were driving along the motorway. But we  finally got to the airport and the nick of time,  

just as the flight was being called. A few  minutes later, it would have been too late,  

we wouldn't have been able to get through  security. The paramedics arrived in the nick  

of time and were able to resuscitate the person  who had collapsed on the street. So the paramedics  

arrived in the nick of time. 10-15 minutes later,  perhaps the poor unfortunate man or woman would  

have died. But they arrived in the nick of time,  we're able to get the person help them to regain  

consciousness. And thankfully, everything is well.  So in the nick of time, just at the right moment,  

a few minutes late as I said, it would be too  late in the nick of time, I took my roast beef  

out of the oven in the nick of time, I was stuck  in a phone call a few minutes later, it would  

have been burnt to a crisp. And it would be like  eating the soul of your shoe in the nick of time.

Okay, moving on now, number six,  to jump through hoops, H O O P S,  

these rings jump through hoops. And we use  this to indicate that there's a difficult  

task or something really challenging that  we have to do. Perhaps you go to the boss  

and you want to get that salary increase or  you want the bonus. And you might say, Huh,  

that boss he makes you jump through hoops just  to get your salary. My God, the hours I work  

in this place is terrible. He makes you jump  through hoops, you have to do something really  

challenging. It literally beg to get a salary  increase. I had to jump through hoops to get  

all this paperwork completed. So I could get these  documents sent off in time to jump through hoops.  

It was a really challenging time, the candidate  had to jump through hoops to get the job,  

he had to do three interviews and then he had  to do a practical exam as well. I mean really,  

really difficult, but it was worth it in the end.  But to get the job, he had to jump through hoops.

Number seven. This is a boxing reference to throw  in the towel. If you ever watch a boxing match,  

and if one boxer is getting really badly punished,  his corner of the call it is management will throw  

in the towel into the ring which means effectively  to stop the fight and he has surrendered or given  

up to throw in the towel. So the throw in the  towel is used to indicate to give up or to admit  

defeat. So if you're trying to work out crossword  puzzle, and you can't get those last couple of  

clues, you're just gonna throw in the towel. I  really can't work this out or at school. It was a  

really difficult mathematical equation or chemical  formula we're trying to work out and you just  

admit defeat. I'm never gonna get this. I'm just  gonna throw in the towel. I'll tell the teacher  

they'll give me the answer tomorrow. So to throw  in the towel is to admit defeat. So some examples.  

After trying for months, I finally threw in the  towel and admitted that I just couldn't complete  

the task. We were losing badly. And we decided to  throw in the towel, and we got beaten. 10-0. Okay,  

so the game ended early, but we were really  getting hammered. We threw in the towel,  

or we appeared to throw in the towel, because it  looked as if we weren't interested. So to throw  

in the towel means to admit defeat. And somebody  might say to you, look, why didn't you just throw  

in the towel? It's not so important. Is it?  Yeah, you lose, you lose. What's the point?

Number eight to have a lot on your plate or  is it says here to have a lot on one's plate,  

very formal English to have a lot on one's  plate. But when we have a lot on our plate,  

it means that we have more than enough to  do in fact, probably too much. Okay. So if  

somebody asks you to do something for them to  do some extra work, you might say, Well, look,  

I can't take on any more work the moment  I've too much work on my plate, meaning  

my desk is completely full, my inbox is full, or  there's a list of projects to do as long as your  

arm. Okay? I'd love to go out with you tonight,  but I can't I have a lot on my plate. I'm going  

away for the weekend. And I really need to get  this work completed. So when somebody is really  

sorry, for example, I'm sorry, I can't take on  any projects or any more projects. Right now,  

I've got enough on my plate. So again,  just admitting that you'll have to come  

back another time. Or perhaps just give me  a few days to clear some of this workload,  

then I might be able to consider it. But at the  moment, I've got a lot on my plate. So I can't go  

out because I'm going away for the weekend, I've  got a lot on my plate, I've got to do the ironing,  

whatever it happens to be, you've got to do  things. So you've got a lot on your plate.

Number nine, let's play it by ear. Okay, let's  play it by ear. And what this means is, let's not  

make a decision. Now we don't have to rush in and  make a decision. Let's wait and see what happens.  

Something might happen. And which means we  don't have to do it. Okay, so let's play it  

by ear. So this expression really means let's be  flexible. Let's not make a decision now that we  

might regret. Let's be flexible, and make plans  as things develop because things do change. And  

if things do change, we'll perhaps it will be  better or worse. But if we do something that we  

can't change, well, then we got a real problem. So  let's play by ear, let's be a little bit flexible,  

see what happens. And then we can adjust or  amend our agenda or sheduled to suit that  

particular situation. So let me give you an  example. We haven't decided where to go for  

dinner yet. So let's play it by ear and see  where the evening takes us further. Perhaps  

you're you're out for a walk with your partner,  and you're going to go for something to eat,  

but you haven't made any reservations, you're  not quite sure do you want Italian? Do you want  

Moroccan whatever type of food that you want. So  let's see where the road takes us we go down this  

street or that st will see a restaurant. Let's  try there. So let's play it by ear. So you haven't  

made a decision. So you just got to wait and see  whatever happens. I'm not sure what time I'll be  

able to finish the work today. So let's play  it by ear. If I finish on time, I'll give you  

a call. And we can meet up and go for a drink. So  you're not making any final commitment or any firm  

commitment. But if you finish your work early,  and if you you have time, then yeah, I'll give  

you a call and then we can meet up. If not, we  can do that tomorrow. So let's play it by ear.

Number ten. It's not rocket science.  I use this expression a lot. It's  

not rocket science. And really what it  means is, it's not that difficult. Okay,  

so you don't have to be Einstein to work this  out. It's not rocket science. So the expression  

is often used to convey that something is not so  complicated. It's not so difficult. So why should  

we make it sound complicated or difficult? It's  not rocket science. Cooking. An omelette is not  

rocket science. You break a few eggs, you mix them  up in the pan, you add some oil before you do it,  

you throw in some chopped tomatoes or sprinkle  some cheese. Voila, you have an omelette so  

it's not rocket science. You look carefully  you don't burn the egg and you make sure you  

don't burn the pan. But it's not rocket science.  Don't worry about figuring out how to how to use  

the new software. It's easy. There's a prompt  on every page. It's not rocket science. Okay,  

so before you do anything, it will ask you, do you  want to do this? Do you want to raise it? Do you  

want to continue? So it's step by step. So it's  not rocket science. Just read the instructions,  

click here, click there, and everything will work  out fine. So it's not rocket science meaning,  

yeah, a monkey could do it. So you shouldn't look  on it as been so complicated or too difficult.

Okay, we're on to number eleven. So five to go  out of fifteen. Five to go, number eleven. Under  

the weather, so my wife is a little bit under  the weather. Now, you might have heard her in  

the background sneezing, so apologies for that if  you picked it up on the recording. So under the  

weather, when somebody is feeling sick, or unwell,  okay, I'm a little bit under the weather today,  

perhaps it's the time of the year and somebody  has got some allergies, perhaps they've picked  

up a flu bug, but that is not feeling 100% And  they're a little bit under the weather. I won't  

be able to come to work today. I'm a little bit  under the weather. So not anything specific. You  

can't put your finger on it. You can't even tell  the audit perhaps you don't even want to tell them  

how you're feeling or what it is. But just that  you're a little bit under the weather so you won't  

be able to attend the office today. She has been  feeling under the weather all week. So I think a  

few days in bed will do her the world of good.  Yeah. So as she's under the weather or feeling  

a little bit under the weather. So somebody's  not so healthy. Not serious, but not so healthy.

Number twelve. To jump the gun to jump the gun  when we jump the gun, we act or do something  

a little bit prematurely before we should have  done it. Okay, so we, you know, in literally in a  

race when they used to have a starter's pistol to  stop the athletics race. Have you watched the old  

Olympics, that guy would stand there with the the  little gun the starter's pistol, and he would fire  

it. But if somebody got ahead of that, then they'd  have to call them back. And the person would be  

warned or disqualified because they jumped the  gun, they went off a little bit prematurely.  

So if you're talking in a business meeting,  and some people are getting a little bit  

hidden sales in terms of the plans, you  might just pull them up on it and say,  

look, I think we're jumping the gun a little bit  here by making plans before we actually decide,  

or actually sure what this schedule will  look like. So let's not jump the gun,  

let's not start planning this before we've looked  at it properly. There's no point going into all  

this expense and all this trouble, unless we know  exactly what's ahead of us. So let's not jump the  

gun, let's not go off too early. So let's not  jump the gun and assume that we've got the job,  

okay. And let's wait until we hear back from  the recruiter. So if you've gotten for a job  

interview, and you're all excited, or it's a  great company, really want to work for them,  

that people look great. And the conditions are  wonderful. Well, okay, let's not jump the gun,  

you haven't got the job yet. Wait till you  hear from the recruiter wait to see you,  

you're going to be called for the second or the  third interview. So just take things a little  

bit easy. So not to jump the gun. So it could be  you know, some people get a little bit excited,  

they have a sense that something's going  to happen. And they jumped to conclusions  

immediately. But they just have to wait and  bide their time. So let's not jump the gun.

Number thirteen is to bite the bullet, bite the  bullet. Well, what does that mean? Well, when  

you bite the bullet, you have to accept and face  a difficulty or face a decision that's going to  

be difficult to particularly something unpleasant.  And you have to face it bravely. Okay, so bite the  

bullet. So perhaps you've got a toothache, right?  And you've been taking some Panadol or aspirin  

with the hope that the toothache would disappear.  But finally have to bite the bullet and realise  

No, you need to go to the dentist even though you  don't like it. And there's every possibility that  

this tooth will have to come out. Okay, so you  have to literally bite the bullet, okay, so you  

have to swallow the pain except that there's going  to be some pain and make a visit to that dentist.  

So a couple of examples. I know you're nervous  about the presentation, but you just have to bite  

the bullet and get it done. We all get nervous  before we make presentations. Some of its good,  

some of its bad. But guess what, it's part and  parcel of life. So you just have to face the  

music you have to do it. So you're going to have  to bite the bullet on this. You're gonna have to  

do it at practice. You're going to have to get  up and make the presentation because guess what,  

nobody else is going to do it and when you  do the first one, the next one will be a  

piece of cake. So bite the bullet except  that you have to do it and get on with it.  

I really don't want to have the conversation  with my boss, but you know, I'm just gonna have  

to bite the bullet and go in and tell him that  I'm leaving. Okay, so perhaps you're just fed  

up with the way things are going, you're really  not getting a job satisfaction anymore. But the  

only way to deal with this is go and tell the boss  that you're leaving. Yeah, he's not gonna like it.  

So I don't want to have that conversation. But  I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and  

tell them and let's see what happens. Okay,  so when we have to face a difficult decision,  

or face something unpleasant, and we have to  face it bravely, then we say bite the bullet.

Number fourteen, to get the ball roll. So to go  number fourteen, to get the ball rolling. And  

to get the ball rolling literally means just to  get something started to start something. So at  

a meeting, somebody could say, Okay, who wants to  get the ball rolling? Meaning who's going to kick  

off this meeting? Me? We need some questions,  or we need some points who's going to get the  

ball rolling. So it could be a one of those, as  we talked about brainstorming sessions. Okay,  

so there's a brainstorming session. Okay, who  wants to get the ball rolling? Who's got the first  

idea? So you come up with the first idea, let's  get the ball rolling on planning the party. Let's  

start by setting the date and sending out the  invitation. So we're going to have a party. Okay,  

so let's agree on a date, which Saturday is going  to be, then somebody take responsibility to send  

out the invitations by text. So let's get the ball  rolling, the sooner we get started, the sooner we  

will get finished. Or if there's a group of you in  college working on a particular project, there's  

a deadline for a couple of weeks. And you really  have to get your heads together. So you might say,  

Okay, we need to get the ball rolling on  this project, we're running out of time,  

and the deadline is fast approaching, so you  know exactly what has to be done the date,  

the time, and you just have to come up with  your idea. So let's get the ball rolling,  

or we really need to get the ball  rolling on this particular project.

Okay, and then number fifteen, to hit the nail on  the head, to hit the nail on the head. Okay. So,  

you know, if you're trying to do some DIY work,  and you have a hammer and a small nail, it looks  

easy. But if you're not careful, you'll end up  hitting your thumb or your finger, believe me,  

that's very, very painful. So to hit the nail on  the head, is to get something exactly right. Okay,  

so perhaps there's a reason why the customer has  cancelled his contract. And everybody is throwing  

in their ideas. Well, maybe it's this, maybe it's  that and you suggest, well, I actually think it's  

because we didn't respond to him quick enough.  And someone says, yeah, you've hit the nail on the  

head, this guy is really very precise. He expects  something to happen immediately. And we didn't  

respond in time. And unfortunately, he's probably  gone to another supplier. So you hit the nail on  

the head, you get right to the point, it's exact,  and it's correct. You hit the nail on the head,  

I've been really stressed out lately. So perhaps  your wife or your partner, somebody is not really  

100% They've been feeling a little bit strange,  perhaps than not eating, not sleeping so well. So  

you suggest that they take a few days off work,  they go away, they get a change of environment.  

Yeah, you've hit the nail on the head, I've really  been feeling stressed. Lately, what I need is a  

complete break. So you're going to have a holiday  for a week or two to hit the nail on the head.  

My friend knew exactly what was wrong with my  car, he hit the nail on the head when he said  

it was a problem with the gasket or the spark  plugs or the accumulator something in the car,  

but he knows better than I do. So you hit the  nail on the head. And within five minutes,  

the garage man has had repaired so to hit  the nail on the head to be exactly right  

and correct with your diagnosis as to exactly  what is wrong to hit the nail on the head.

Okay, so that we have 15 particular expressions  and phrases that you can use in business English,  

you can use in conversational English,  you can use them to make yourself sound  

more like a native speaker, go through them  one by one. Make sure first of all that you  

understand them. Look at the examples  that I've given. Listen to them again,  

see how I use them. If you feel you need more,  as I always say come back to me and I'll give  

you some more if they're absolutely needed. You  don't have to remember and you won't remember  

them all but try and practice some of them. And  as always, as I said come back to me if you need  

some suggestions or if you have some suggestion  that you want to make that you would like me to  

include in a future video then please let me know  and I'm very happy to hear them. It means I don't  

have to think all of the ideas okay so this  is Harry thanking you for watching thank you  

for listening as always remember to  come back to me for the next lesson