Essential English phrases to blend in like a local on your holiday

Charlotte Guest
A woman stood in a square, holding a map looking around
Reading time: 5 minutes

Summer has arrived and you might be gearing up for a holiday soon. Knowing some of the local language is always helpful, but to genuinely speak like a native English speaker, you must grasp and use common phrases and idioms that locals employ in daily conversations. Native English speakers have a natural command of these phrases, whereas non-fluent speakers often need to study and practice them to achieve fluency.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into essential English phrases that will help you sound more like a local and less like a tourist.

Phrases to help you speak English like a local
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Common English idioms and phrases you should know

Depending on where you go, the language will be vastly different, but quite often, certain English phrases overlap, so you might hear some common phrases being used in more than one country.

"It's all gone pear-shaped" (UK)

This quirky phrase means that something has gone wrong or not as planned. For example, if your holiday plans fall apart due to bad weather, you could say, “Our trip to the coast has gone all pear-shaped.” In other words, it’s bad news for our vacation.

"No worries, mate!" (Australia/UK)

In Australia, you’ll often hear the phrase “No worries, mate!” used to convey that everything is fine or that there’s no problem. It’s a versatile expression of reassurance and friendliness. For instance, if you apologize for bumping into someone on a busy street, you might receive a cheerful “No worries, mate!” in response.

"Fill your boots" (Canada)

This phrase is an invitation to help yourself to as much of something as you want. For example, if you’re at a buffet and someone says, “Fill your boots,” they’re encouraging you to enjoy as much food as you like. It’s a welcoming expression that showcases generosity and hospitality.

"Fair dinkum" (Australia)

This expression is used to affirm the truth or genuineness of something. It can be equated to saying “really” or “honestly” in other English dialects. For example, if someone tells you a surprising fact about the local wildlife, you might respond with “Fair dinkum?” to confirm that it is indeed true.

"Chock-a-block" (UK)

This phrase means that something is full to capacity. For instance, if a pub or restaurant is very crowded, you might hear someone say, “The pub is chock-a-block tonight.” It’s an evocative way to describe a situation where space is limited or an area is very busy.

"Double-double" (Canada)

In Canada, especially when discussing coffee, a “double-double” refers to a coffee with two creams and two sugars. For example, if you’re at a cafe and want a coffee with two creams and two sugars, you would say, “I’ll have a double-double, please.” This phrase will make you sound like a fluent English speaker.

"I'm knackered" (UK)

Feeling extremely tired? Then you’re “knackered.” This phrase is commonly used in the UK to express exhaustion. After a long day of sightseeing, you might say, “I’m completely knackered!” If you only feel this tired once in a blue moon, you’re lucky! This is a common way to express tiredness in everyday conversation in the UK.

"It's not my cup of tea" (UK)

If something isn’t to your liking, you might say, “It’s not my cup of tea.” This phrase is a polite way of expressing disinterest or dislike. For example, you might say, “Horror films are not my cup of tea.” Even if English is not your native language, using phrases like “It’s not my cup of tea” can help you sound more natural.

"A bit miffed" (UK)

If you find yourself slightly annoyed or irritated, you might use the phrase “a bit miffed.” It’s a mild way to express discontent. For example, if you’ve been waiting a long time in a queue and someone cuts in front of you, you might say, “I was a bit miffed when they pushed in.” If you think cutting in line will get you served faster, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Fluent English speakers often use “a bit miffed” to express mild irritation politely.

"What's up?" (US)

A common greeting in the United States, “What’s up?” is a casual way to ask someone how they are or what they are doing. It’s extremely common and often used among friends and acquaintances. For instance, when meeting a friend, you might say, “Hey, what’s up?” to start a conversation.

Another casual greeting you might hear is “How’s life?” which is used to check in on someone’s well-being.

"In a jiffy" (UK)

If you hear someone use this phrase, “in a jiffy,” it means they will do it very quickly. It’s a phrase used to indicate promptness or immediacy. For example, if you’re waiting for your meal at a restaurant and the server says, “It’ll be ready in a jiffy,” you can expect it to arrive shortly.

"Hit the sack" (US)

If you’re ready to go to bed or sleep, you can use the phrase “hit the sack.” It’s a casual way of saying that you are going to sleep. After a long day of activities, you might tell your friends, “I’m exhausted, I think I’ll hit the sack.” When speaking English, using phrases like “hit the sack” can make your conversations sound more natural.

"Raining cats and dogs" (UK)

Brits love talking about the weather, so it's no surprise this idiom is weather-related. The idiom is a colorful way to describe heavy rain. Using this idiom not only conveys the severity of the rain but also adds a touch of humor to your conversation. If you visit during its rainy seasons (which is more often than you think), you'll have plenty of opportunities to use this phrase.

Conclusion

Incorporating these common English phrases into your conversations will not only help you blend in better but also make your interactions more engaging and authentic. Remember, language learning is an ongoing process, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Expanding your spoken English vocabulary will also help you feel more confident in your interactions.

The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become. The more you practice, the more you will sound like a fluent English speaker. If you can, consulting a native speaker can help you understand such idioms and use them correctly. Native speakers often talk quickly and use complex vocabulary, so don’t hesitate to ask them to speak slower or provide examples to improve your understanding.

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    Valentine

    From Latin "Valentinus", based on "valens", meaning “strong” or “healthy.” The day is named after Saint Valentine. A “valentine” can be the card you send or the person you love.

    Love

    One of the oldest English words. In Old English, it was "lufu". It is related to German "Liebe" and Dutch "liefde". It has always meant strong feeling and care.

    Heart

    From Old English "heorte". The heart is a symbol of emotion. The heart shape in art comes from medieval ideas about feeling, not the real organ’s shape.

    Romance

    From Old French "romans". It first meant stories in Romance languages (from Latin). Later, it became linked with love stories and strong feelings.

    Cupid

    From Latin Cupido, meaning “desire.” In Roman myth, Cupid is the god who makes people fall in love with his arrows. Today, he is a friendly symbol on cards.

    Terms of affection and relationships

    Sweetheart

    Made from two old words: "sweet" + "heart". It appeared in Middle English from Old English roots. English often creates new ideas by joining simple words.

    Darling

    From Old English "deorling", meaning “dear little one” or “beloved.” Today, it is a soft, caring way to speak to someone you love.

    Beau

    From French "beau", meaning “handsome.” In English, a beau is a boyfriend or a male admirer, often in an older or formal style. It is pronounced “boh”. Plural: beaux or beaus.

    Fiancé/fiancée

    From French. Traditionally, "fiancé" is male and "fiancée" is female, but many people now use fiancé for anyone engaged to marry. The accent marks show the French origin.

    Paramour

    From Old French "par amour", “through love.” In English, a paramour is a lover, often secret. It shows how words can carry both romance and mystery.

    Dating and romantic behavior

    Date

    In the 19th century, American English started using "date" for a social meeting. The idea comes from marking a day on a calendar. To date means to spend romantic time together.

    Adore

    From Latin "adorare", through French. To adore means to love deeply and to respect. You can adore a person or a song.

    Smitten

    From the verb "smite", Old English smitan, “to strike.” If you are smitten, love has “struck” you. This is a strong, playful way to say you fell in love.

    Flirt

    Probably from a word meaning “to flick” or “to move quickly.” Over time, it came to mean playful romantic behavior. The exact origin is not certain, which makes it an interesting mystery word.

    Tryst

    A Scots word for a fixed meeting or appointment. Today, a tryst is a secret or private romantic meeting. It keeps the feeling of “an agreed time to meet.”

    Serenade

    From Italian "serenata", “an evening song,” from a word meaning “calm, clear.” To serenade is to sing or play music to someone you love, often at night.

    Gifts, beauty and attraction

    Bouquet

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    Glamour

    From a Scottish form of "grammar". Long ago, grammar also meant learning and sometimes “magic.” Glamour became the word for a special, almost magical beauty or charm.

    Chivalry

    From Old French "chevalerie", related to cheval, “horse.” It first meant the way of knights on horseback. Later, it became the idea of polite, noble behavior, especially toward others in romance.

    Marriage and commitment

    Wedding, bride, and (bride)groom

    Wedding comes from Old English "weddian", “to pledge.” Bride is from Old English bryd. Groom, in bridegroom, was once "guma", an old word for “man.” Over time, it changed to the familiar groom.

    Troth and betrothed

    Troth comes from Old English "treowth", meaning “truth,” “faith,” or “loyal promise.” To “plight one’s troth” means “to promise to marry.” Betrothed means “engaged to marry,” from be- + troth.

    Honeymoon

    "Sweet" + "moon". "Honey" suggests the sweet time after the wedding, and "moon" suggests a month. Long ago, some couples drank honey wine (mead) in the first month of marriage. Today, a honeymoon is the trip after the wedding.

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