This post is based on an episode of All Ears English. I pulled out the most useful real-life expressions from the story and organized them with not only their meanings, but also the tone and nuance they carry in everyday conversation. Instead of leaving them as a simple list, I rewrote them into a practical role play you could realistically use in real situations. I also included one paragraph that weaves all the expressions together to make them easier to remember. Finally, I added a short Q&A at the end to answer the kinds of questions readers often have when they start using these phrases.
1. Refined daily expressions and idioms (with examples)
1) “How’s it going?”
Use: friendly, natural opener (more casual than “How are you?”).
Example: “Hey! Long time no see. How’s it going?”
2) “I’m just curious…”
Use: a polite way to ask a question without sounding pushy.
Example: “I’m just curious, what made you choose Rome over Florence?”
3) “I’m not going to lie…”
Use: signals honesty, often before a mild complaint or surprising truth.
Example: “I’m not going to lie, the line was brutal.”
4) “It’s wild.”
Use: short, modern emphasis meaning “That’s crazy/amazing/unbelievable.”
Example: “You turn a corner and there’s a 2,000-year-old ruin. It’s wild.”
5) “That kind of thing”
Use: softens details, makes your point without overexplaining.
Example: “We were tired tourists, deciding where to go next, that kind of thing.”
6) “What comes to your mind…?”
Use: invites someone’s reaction (great for interviews, meetings, coaching).
Example: “When you hear that feedback, what comes to your mind first?”
7) “It threw me off.”
Use: means something confused you or disrupted your flow.
Example: “His wording threw me off, but I understood what he meant.”
8) “We got it no problem.”
Use: communicates smooth understanding (casual, confident).
Example: “The instructions were in Italian, but we got it no problem.”
9) “If you want to elevate that a little…”
Use: tactful way to suggest a more polished option without sounding critical.
Example: “You can say ‘You can’t do that,’ but if you want to elevate it a little, try ‘That isn’t permitted.’”
10) “It’s not permitted…” / “It’s not allowed…”
Use: rule-based language; sounds official and less personal than “You can’t.”
Example: “It’s not permitted to take photos in this gallery.”
11) “I’m sorry, but…”
Use: softens a rule or boundary while staying firm.
Example: “I’m sorry, but you’re not allowed to sit in this section.”
12) “I apologize for the inconvenience, but…”
Use: very professional, customer-service tone; great for sensitive situations.
Example: “I apologize for the inconvenience, but this line is for first-class passengers only.”
13) “Don’t let it get to you.”
Use: tells someone not to take rudeness personally or not to get upset.
Example: “Some staff are really blunt. Don’t let it get to you.”
14) “Don’t take it personally.”
Use: separates a person’s tone from you, especially in tense environments.
Example: “They’re under pressure, don’t take it personally.”
15) “Look out for…”
Use: means “watch for” or “be on the alert for” (often for upcoming content).
Example: “Look out for part two next week.”
2. Role play scripts from the conversation
Role Play 1: Museum rules (Michelle = staff, Lindsay = visitor)
Staff (Michelle): “I’m sorry, but touching the paintings is not permitted.”
Visitor (Lindsay): “Oh, okay. I’m sorry.”
Staff (Michelle): “And I apologize for the inconvenience, but eating here is not allowed. You can eat in the cafeteria.”
Visitor (Lindsay): “Oh, okay. Thank you.”
(They also mention an alternate line that would also work: “I apologize for the inconvenience, but you’re not allowed to eat here.”)
3. One paragraph using all the expressions
Hey, how’s it going? I’m just curious, what was your favorite part of Rome? I’m not going to lie, the crowds would probably get to me, but turning a corner and seeing ancient ruins in the middle of the city is wild. We were tired tourists, deciding where to go next, that kind of thing, and a guard told us to move, which threw me off at first. Still, we got it no problem, and I asked myself, “What comes to your mind when someone says it like that?” If you want to elevate that a little, you can say, “It’s not permitted,” or “It’s not allowed,” and if you need to soften it: “I’m sorry, but…” or “I apologize for the inconvenience, but…” And honestly, in places like airports where people sound short, don’t let it get to you, don’t take it personally. Anyway, look out for the next part of the series.
Q1. What does “It threw me off” mean? How is it related to confusion?
A. “It threw me off” means it disrupted my flow and made me feel momentarily unsure, awkward, or surprised. It often includes a bit of confusion, but it can also mean you were simply caught off guard.
Example: “I understood him, but the wording threw me off.”
Q2. What does “the crowds would probably get to me” mean? Does it just mean there are a lot of people?
A. “Crowds” means a lot of people, yes. But “get to me” means the crowds would probably stress me out or drain my energy.
Example: “Big crowds really get to me.”
Q3. What are “ancient ruins”? What does “ruins” mean?
A. “Ruins” are the remains of old buildings that have been damaged or destroyed over time. “Ancient ruins” means very old historical remains, like Roman sites.
Example: “You can see ancient ruins right in the middle of Rome.”
Q4. What does “where people sound short” mean? Does it mean they speak briefly?
A. Not exactly. “Sound short” means they sound curt, blunt, or a bit rude, usually because they’re busy or stressed.
Example: “Sorry if I sounded short earlier. I was in a rush.”
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