The Most Common English Phrases and Idioms

Start learning English phrases

A perfect accent is not everything. Sure, a good pronunciation can make you sound more like a native, but it won’t make you fluent. This is why it’s best to work on expanding your vocabulary with practical notions such as English idioms, sayings, or expressions. These will add substance and even humor to your discourse while making you sound more natural and authentic. Here are some of the most common and fun idioms you can use:

● Break a leg: Good luck
● Hit the sack: Go to sleep
● On the ball: Doing a good job
● Under the weather: Sick
● A perfect storm: The worst possible situation
● Break the ice: Make people feel more comfortable

● Costs an arm and a leg: Very expensive
● It's raining cats and dogs: It's raining hard.

If you want to learn more idioms, check out these business English phrases that language learners always get wrong.

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Top 10 English phrases and sentences you need to know

We have prepared a list of common English expressions that will help you have a basic conversation in English in no time. Let's dig in!

1. Good morning.
Sometimes, all you need to start the day right is a good coffee and someone greeting you smiling. “Good morning!”
Now enjoy being greeted by a native speaker:
Good morning.
2. Good afternoon.
Later in the day, the notorious English tea can work wonders. Careful though! It seems that the outstretched little finger is actually considered rude in most social settings.
Now listen to how an English speaker would say “Good afternoon”:
Good afternoon.
3. My name is Mondly.
Let’s say your name is Mondly; you traveled to an English-speaking country and met someone on the street. To properly introduce yourself, you can say “My name is Mondly.”
Listen to how an English speaker would pronounce this phrase:
My name is Mondly.
4. I'm pleased to meet you.
Now that you have introduced yourself, the other person will respond by saying “I’m pleased to meet you”. It’s so easy to make new friends!
Listen to a native English speaker saying this to you right now:
I'm pleased to meet you.
5. How are you?
At this point, it might be polite to ask the person you are having a conversation with "How are you?" in English.
It’s really easy to pronounce. Here's how to say it:
How are you?
6. Fine, thanks. And you?
On the other hand, if the other person asks you first how you are doing, this is how you can answer politely.
Here's a native speaker showing you how to say it:
Fine, thanks. And you?
7. I’d like a beer.
Let’s be honest: we all make new friends at the bar. This is why it may come in handy to learn how to order a beer in English.
Let a native English speaker show you how it's done:
I’d like a beer.
8. I'm sorry.
When what you ordered is out of stock, the bartender might say “I’m sorry”. What is another drink that you like?
Listen to how “I’m sorry” is pronounced:
I'm sorry.
9. See you soon!
Do you want to say goodbye to someone you are going to meet again soon? Easy as that! Just say “See you soon”.
Here's how an English speaker would say it:
See you soon!
10. Goodbye.
The best way to end a pleasant conversation politely is by saying “Goodbye”. If it’s appropriate, you can also say only “Bye”.
Here's how to say it:
Goodbye.

English idioms for certain situations

English landmark

Wondering what are the most common English phrases for daily situations? Let's explore them all!
To ask how someone is doing: What's up?, How's it going?, What's new?
To say how you are doing: Could be better, Pretty good, Same as always
To thank somebody: I really appreciate it, I'm really grateful
To accept someone's thank: No problem, Don't mention it, Anytime
To end a conversation: It was good catching up, I have to return to my work
To say you don't have any idea: I can't help you there, Beats me
To agree with somebody: Exactly, Absolutely, That's for sure, I suppose so
To disagree with somebody: I'm not sure about that, That's not how I see it
To respond to good news: How wonderful, Awesome, I'm so glad to hear
To respond to bad news: How terrible/awful, Oh no, Terrible, If you need anything, I am here
To invite someone: Are you free..., Do you wanna..., How about...
To apologize: I apologize for, I'm sorry, It's my fault
For food: I'm starving,
For price: That's a good deal, It was dirt cheap (very inexpensive), That's a rip-off (overpriced)
For weather: Freezing (very cold), chilly (unpleasantly cold), boiling (very hot)

The benefits of learning the most common English phrases first

Get smarter day by day

Learning a new language is a perfect way to boost your IQ. In no time, your brain will make new connections and associations and you’ll feel that learning English was one of the best choices you ever made.

Have real conversations in English today

Once you start learning a few basic sentences in English you will have the knowledge to start your first English conversation. That’s why, at Mondly, we’ve created experiences that simulate real life conversations to get you speaking English in no time.

Become fluent in English quicker

Starting with the basics, we quickly lay a foundation for you to learn more complex English phrases and sentences. We gradually build your English knowledge so you get fluent faster than you could imagine.

Feel how easy to learn the English language can be

Every language experience should start gradually, from the easiest to the more complex concepts. Starting with the easiest and most common English phrases, you will feel confident in your ability to learn a new language. That’s one of the core principles Mondly is built on.