Real English doesn’t move one word at a time — it flows in ready-made chunks that native speakers grab without thinking. This collection of around 1,200 phrases and expressions covers the everyday combos you’ll hear in casual chats, work emails, and weekend plans. No dusty textbook lists, just the real stuff that helps you sound more natural from day one.
Each entry in the interactive table gives you a clear meaning, a realistic example sentence, and easy-to-read US IPA so you can nail the pronunciation. There’s a play button right next to every phrase — tap it to hear the audio, because your ears need training too. When you’re ready to study offline, a free PDF download button sits below the table.
Words are handy, but phrases are what you actually say out loud. Our free chunk‑based English lessons help you speak in whole expressions — start with Lesson 1 — First Greetings and see how quickly conversations click.
- English Vocabulary hub
- Learn English guide
- Most Common Phrasal Verbs
- Cambridge Dictionary — phrasal verbs & phrases
English Phrases Quiz
Think you’ve already got a handle on common phrases? Try the quick quiz below to see how many you really know.
Common English Phrases and Expressions
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Can you repeat that please? | Polite request to say something again. | I didn't hear you; can you repeat that please? |
| can you send me the email? | Request to send an email. | Can you send me the email with the details? |
| can you show me on the map? | Request to indicate location. | Can you show me on the map where the hotel is? |
| Can you show me? | Asking someone to demonstrate or point out something. | Can you show me how to use this app? |
| Can you speak louder please? | Asking someone to increase their voice volume. | I can't hear you, can you speak louder please? |
| Can you swim? | Asking if someone knows how to swim. | We're going to the pool, can you swim? |
| Can you throw that away for me? | Asking someone to dispose of something. | Can you throw that away for me? It's trash. |
| Can you translate this for me? | A request to change words from one language to another. | Can you translate this for me? I don't understand French. |
| can’t complain | Things are going well; no problems to report. | How are you? Can't complain. |
| catch you later | Goodbye; see you at a later time. | I have to go now; catch you later! |
| Certainly! | Polite affirmative response meaning 'of course'. | Can you help me? Certainly! |
| check it out | Look at or examine something interesting. | Check it out, I got a new phone. |
| cheer up | Become happier or make someone happier. | Cheer up, it's not the end of the world. |
| Cheers! | A toast before drinking; also means thanks. | Cheers! Let's celebrate our success. |
| chill out | Relax and stop being angry or stressed. | Chill out, we have plenty of time. |
| clear as day | Very obvious or easy to understand. | His intentions were clear as day. |
| close enough | Almost correct or near enough to be acceptable. | Your answer is close enough, but not perfect. |
| come on | Used to encourage, hurry, or show disbelief. | Come on, we're going to be late! |
| congratulations! | Praise for achievement. | When she won the award, colleagues said, "Congratulations!" |
| cool down | Become less hot or less angry. | Let the soup cool down before eating. |
| could you open the door? | Polite request to open a door. | Could you open the door? My hands are full. |
| could you repeat that? | Asking someone to say again. | Could you repeat that? I didn't hear you. |
| Could you tell me the time? | simple under 15 words | natural sentence |
| cross your fingers | Hope for good luck or a positive outcome. | I'm crossing my fingers for good weather. |
| cut it out | Stop doing something annoying or inappropriate. | Cut it out, you're bothering me. |
