“Pull it off ???” “Up in the air ???” “Keep me posted ???”
Ever wondered, while watching English movies, web series, or even talking to people in English, we often come across some of the above expressions or more which we find quite difficult & unable to understand, hence, avoid using too? On the contrary, one can level up their English speaking by using such advanced phrases & expressions.
During a conversation, you can never sound confident if you don’t understand what your partner is saying & would always appear confused when it comes to replying. So if ever it happens that you’re a part of a group (professional or social) where it becomes really important for you to impress & express others by using some good advanced English expressions & phrases, it’s high time you focussed on the following advanced phrases based on different situations!
Pull it off :
Succeed in doing something difficult.
EXAMPLE: I can’t believe I’ve pulled it off & entered the final round of the competition!
On the same page :
Agree & understand what others do or suggest.
EXAMPLE: Before I start with today’s meeting, I hope we all are on the same page on this project.
Up in the air :
Highly uncertain, where things haven’t been decided yet.
EXAMPLE: All the things related to his new job are still up in the air.
Back to the drawing board :
To start something all over again as things aren’t working as expected.
EXAMPLE: Let’s get back to the drawing board & analyze what went wrong.
To get someone up to speed :
Update someone about the current situation.
EXAMPLE: I’d like to get you up to speed before we go to the meeting.
Flying high :
Very happy
EXAMPLE: She was flying high after winning the first prize.
Grief-stricken :
Extremely sad.
EXAMPLE: She’s been grief-stricken ever since she lost her father.
Bite someone’s head off :
Show anger to someone.
EXAMPLE: Oops! you broke the showpiece. Now, aunt is going to bite your head off!
Be at the end of your rope :
Feel hopeless / when someone has lost all hopes.
EXAMPLE: He’s at the end of his rope after running from hospital to hospital for his father’s treatment.
Be on pins & needles :
Very anxious, nervous to find out what’s going to happen.
EXAMPLE: We were on pins & needles until we found out about the result of the contest.
Itchy feet :
To love to travel.
EXAMPLE: It seems he’s got an itchy feel. He hardly stays in one place for long.
Off the beaten track :
A place which hasn’t been visited by many tourists, isolated & quiet.
EXAMPLE: This time we visited a small village in Himachal Pradesh, amid hills. It was completely off the beaten track.
Do something on a shoestring :
Do something without spending a lot of money.
EXAMPLE: This year we’ve planned to travel on a shoestring budget.
In your element :
To be happy to do what you want or what’s best suited.
EXAMPLE: For a week, I’ll be in my element holidaying, without having to think about my monotonous life.
Live out of a suitcase :
Live briefly in several places.
EXAMPLE: He keeps traveling from one place to another. It seems he is living out of a suitcase.
Drop someone a line :
When we want someone to stay in touch or contact us.
EXAMPLE: Whenever you’re free, just drop me a line & then we’ll plan.
Keep someone posted :
Keep someone informed with the latest updates.
EXAMPLE: Don’t forget to keep me posted on the new amendments.
Heard from the grapevine :
Getting to know about information from one person talking to another, gossip . Not from a reliable source.
EXAMPLE: Just heard from the grapevine that the new actor had a fallout (an argument) with the director of the movie.
On a need-to-know basis
To reveal information only when another person needs to know it.
EXAMPLE: Sorry, we can tell you only on a need-to-know basis.
Play Devil’s advocate :
To pretend to disagree with someone to start an argument.
EXAMPLE: He was playing the devil’s advocate. You should’ve stayed calm.
To dig your heels in :
To refuse to do something or change your mind.
EXAMPLE: The shopkeeper dug his heels in & didn’t reduce the price at any cost.
To go the extra mile :
To put in more effort than is expected.
EXAMPLE: He was ready to go the extra mile just to see all his guests were attended to properly.
To be out of the loop :
To have no information about something
EXAMPLE: I've been so busy lately. I’m just out of the loop of what’s all happening at the home front.
Get your skates on :
To ask someone to hurry or be quick in their work.
EXAMPLE: C’mon, get your skates on. The chief guest is just about to arrive!
To have a way with someone or something :
To have the talent to deal with somebody or something.
EXAMPLE: He has a way with his customers, convinces them into buying things easily.
Now, once you master these expressions by learning & making your sentences with practice, try using them in your real-life situations with friends, family & everyone you feel you can converse with, as much as possible. Remember, the more you use such expressions in your daily life, the more confident you’ll become while speaking. So keep practicing!
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