Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Break the Ice

• Explanation: To initiate a conversation in a social setting, especially with someone new, in order to make people feel more comfortable.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “I always get nervous at parties where I don’t know anyone.”
  • Person B: “You can break the ice by asking them how they know the host.”

Make Small Talk

• Explanation: To engage in light, casual conversation about non-controversial topics like the weather, current events, or hobbies.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “What did you talk about with your new neighbor?”
  • Person B: “We just made small talk about the weather and our favorite TV shows.”

Get the Ball Rolling

• Explanation: To start something, especially a conversation or project.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “Nobody seems to want to start the meeting.”
  • Person B: “I’ll get the ball rolling by introducing the agenda.”

Hit It Off

• Explanation: To quickly develop a good relationship with someone, often in the context of friendships or romantic connections.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “How was your date last night?”
  • Person B: “We really hit it off! We have so much in common.”

Cut to the Chase

• Explanation: To get to the point of what you’re saying, avoiding unnecessary details.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “He spent ten minutes talking about his day before he finally told me the news.”
  • Person B: “Next time, just tell him to cut to the chase.”

Keep the Conversation Going

• Explanation: To continue talking in a way that maintains the flow and prevents awkward silences.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “What do you do when the conversation starts to die?”
  • Person B: “I usually ask a question to keep the conversation going.”

Touch Base

• Explanation: To briefly communicate with someone, usually to check in or update them.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “I haven’t heard from John in a while.”
  • Person B: “I’ll touch base with him later today to see how he’s doing.”

Have a Quick Word

• Explanation: To talk to someone briefly, often used in a work setting.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “Can I have a quick word with you after the meeting?”
  • Person B: “Sure, I’ll be free in five minutes.”

Get to Know Someone

• Explanation: To spend time with someone and learn more about them.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “I don’t know much about her yet.”
  • Person B: “Why don’t you invite her out for coffee and get to know her better?”

Make a Good Impression

• Explanation: To behave in a way that makes others have a positive opinion of you.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “I’m nervous about meeting her parents.”
  • Person B: “Just be yourself and you’ll make a good impression.”

Pick Up Where We Left Off

• Explanation: To resume a conversation or activity at the point where it was previously stopped.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “We didn’t finish our conversation yesterday.”
  • Person B: “Let’s pick up where we left off and talk about it now.”

Read Between the Lines

• Explanation: To understand the implied meaning of something, not just the literal words.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “He said he’s fine, but I feel like something’s wrong.”
  • Person B: “Sometimes you have to read between the lines to understand how someone really feels.”

Catch Up

• Explanation: To talk with someone after a period of time to share what has happened in each other’s lives.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “It’s been so long since we last talked.”
  • Person B: “Let’s meet for coffee and catch up!”

Be On the Same Page

• Explanation: To have a shared understanding or agreement on a matter.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “I feel like we’re not understanding each other.”
  • Person B: “Let’s make sure we’re on the same page about this project.”

Drop a Hint

• Explanation: To suggest something subtly without saying it directly.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “I want him to know I like him, but I don’t want to be too obvious.”
  • Person B: “Why not drop a hint by complimenting him more often?”

Phrasal Verbs

Bring Up

• Explanation: To start talking about a topic or issue.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “We never discussed the budget for the trip.”
  • Person B: “I’ll bring it up in the meeting tomorrow.”

Come Across

• Explanation: To meet or find something or someone by chance, or to seem to have a particular quality.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “I came across an old friend while I was at the mall.”
  • Person B: “That’s great! Did you catch up with them?”

Get Along (With)

• Explanation: To have a good relationship with someone.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “Do you get along with your new colleague?”
  • Person B: “Yes, we get along really well. We have similar interests.”

Figure Out

• Explanation: To understand or solve something.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “I can’t figure out how to use this new software.”
  • Person B: “Let me help you figure it out.”

Catch On

• Explanation: To understand something after initially struggling with it, or to become popular.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “The new employee didn’t understand the system at first, but he’s starting to catch on.”
  • Person B: “That’s good. It takes time to learn new things.”

Run Into

• Explanation: To meet someone by chance.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “I ran into Sarah at the grocery store yesterday.”
  • Person B: “What a coincidence! I saw her last week at the gym.”

Look Forward To

• Explanation: To be excited or pleased about something that is going to happen.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “Are you looking forward to the weekend?”
  • Person B: “Definitely! I’ve got some fun plans.”

Put Off

• Explanation: To delay or postpone something.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “I keep putting off my dentist appointment.”
  • Person B: “You should go soon before it gets worse.”

Turn Down

• Explanation: To refuse or reject something, such as an offer or invitation.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “Did you accept the job offer?”
  • Person B: “No, I had to turn it down because of the long commute.”

Bring Out

• Explanation: To make something more evident, to highlight a quality, or to produce something.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “That color really brings out your eyes.”
  • Person B: “Thanks! I’ll wear it more often.”

Get Over

• Explanation: To recover from something, usually an illness or a difficult situation.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “How’s your cold? Are you feeling better?”
  • Person B: “Yes, I’m finally getting over it.”

Run Out (Of)

• Explanation: To use all of something so that none is left.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “We’ve run out of milk. Can you pick some up on your way home?”
  • Person B: “Sure, I’ll grab some from the store.”

Take After

• Explanation: To resemble a family member in appearance or behavior.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “Your daughter takes after you. She has the same smile.”
  • Person B: “Everyone says that! She’s my mini-me.”

Look Up To

• Explanation: To admire or respect someone.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “Who do you look up to the most?”
  • Person B: “I look up to my grandfather. He’s been through a lot and always stayed positive.”

Hold On

• Explanation: To wait for a short time.
• Sample Dialogue:
  • Person A: “Can you hold on a moment? I need to grab my phone.”
  • Person B: “Sure, I’ll wait.”