Common English Phrases and Idioms

Posted on Jan 29, 2025 in English

Common English Phrases

Windward: Facing the wind or on the side facing the wind.
Ex: On the windward leg of the yacht race, the wind was strong.
From the outset: From the very beginning.
Ex: It was clear from the outset that there were going to be problems.
Excruciatingly: Extremely.
Ex: His poetry is excruciatingly bad.
Over the top: So extreme or exaggerated that it seems offensive.
Ex: His speech was a bit over the top.
Riveting: Fascinating.
Ex: He gave a riveting performance.
Flat: A flat book, movie, performance, etc., lacks interest, excitement, or energy.
Ex: Arsenal looked flat for large parts of the game.
Infuriating: Very annoying.
Ex: He is always late! How infuriating!

What are you up to tonight? = (informal) What are you doing tonight?
To get down to something: To start doing something that is difficult or needs a lot of time or energy. Ex: It’s time we got down to work.
To be up to somebody: Used to say that someone can decide about something. Ex: You can pay weekly or monthly – it’s up to you.
To be down to somebody: If an action or decision is down to you, it is your responsibility. Ex: I am the host, so it is down to me to make sure that everyone is happy.
To be down to your last pound/dollar/litre etc: To be left with only a small amount of something. Ex: We’re down to our last five dollars.
To get up to something: To do something, especially something slightly bad. Ex: Go upstairs and see what the kids are getting up to.
What´s up?: What´s wrong?
To feel down: To feel sad or unhappy. Ex: I´m feeling down at the moment.
Down: Completed. Ex: Well, you’ve passed your second test, so it’s two down and four more to go.
To not be up to much: To be fairly bad. Ex: The restaurant’s very grand, but the food isn’t up to much.
To be up to something: To be clever, good, or well enough to do something. Ex: I’m afraid Tim just isn’t up to the job.

Fun and games: Activities, behavior, etc., which aren´t serious. Ex: It all started as fun and games, but then he became a successful Hollywood actor.
The name of the game: The most important thing in an activity or situation. Ex: Popularity is the name of the game in television.
To give the game away: To spoil a surprise or secret by letting someone know about it. Ex: Don’t mention Dad´s birthday, or you will give the game away.
To beat somebody at their own game: To beat someone or fight back against them by using the same methods that they use. Ex: We must find out about the strategies of the other lawyers and beat them at their own game.
To play games with somebody: To behave in a dishonest or unfair way towards someone to get what you want. Ex: Are you sure he is really in love with you and not just playing games with you?
What´s (your) game?: Used when asking someone what their true intentions are. Ex: The porter saw me climbing over the wall and shouted: “Hey you, what is your game?
The game´s up: Used to tell someone that their plan or activity has been discovered. Ex: I know what you are trying to do. The game´s up!
Game plan: Someone´s intended actions in order to achieve something. Ex: The company is looking towards the future, and its game plan is to increase sales.
Big game: Used to describe large wild animals that are hunted. Ex: My uncle is a big game hunter.

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