Communication Strategies 22 Specific skills: Idioms and natural expressions

girls hiking forest path

Be natural

Using a couple of natural expressions is an easy way to seem fluent. Be careful to use them with natural pacing and in the right context—this lesson will show you how. 

Introduction
  • What are the benefits of using idioms?
  • What are the risks of using them? 
Warm Up

What are some idioms you understand when you hear them? What idioms have you actually used before?

Language

Look at the idioms and phrases below, and practice saying them naturally. Decide if it suits your speaking style, and think of a time you can use it: 

  1. Well, off the top of my head, I'd say... 
  2. To be honest... 
  3. In a nutshell...
  4. The sky's the limit!
  5. (It's a) win-win situation.
  6. Off the cuff...
  7. It's not rocket science.
  8. Let me mull (it/that) over...
Practice

Now that you've chosen some idioms to use, practice using them in full answers.