Informal Expressions in English for Everyday Conversations Made Simple

Sharing is caring!

English is full of surprises — especially when you think you’ve learned all the grammar rules and new vocabulary… and then someone casually says “What’s up?” or “My bad!” and… here you go… You have to learn informal expressions in English!

When I first arrived in Toronto, I thought I spoke quite well. I could explain grammar rules, write essays, and hold polite conversations. But once I started talking with locals, I realized there was a whole new world of expressions — short, catchy, and often impossible to translate.

These informal expressions in English for everyday conversations are what make real-life English sound natural and fun. They’re everywhere — in cafés, on the subway, in text messages, even in movies.
And while they’re not suitable for academic writing or formal situations, they are essential if you want to understand how native speakers actually talk.

There are hundreds of them, but today I’ll share some of the most useful and common ones, with easy explanations, examples, and a few funny stories from my own experience as both a learner and a language mentor.

🗣️ Greetings and Everyday Talk

What’s up — Everyday English Greeting
This friendly question means “How are you?” or “What are you doing?” Example: “Hey, what’s up?” — “Not much, just watching a movie.” It’s not a serious question — just a casual greeting. A simple “Not much” or “All good” is enough.

No worries — When You Want to Be Kind
Used instead of “It’s okay” or “Don’t worry about it.” Example: “Sorry, I’m late.” — “No worries, I just got here too.” Canadians say this often — it sounds positive, polite, and warm.

Grab a coffee — A Friendly Invitation
Means “Let’s meet up casually,” not necessarily to drink coffee. Example: “We should grab a coffee sometime.” — “Sure, let’s plan it!” This phrase is often used between friends or colleagues to suggest meeting in a relaxed way.

💰 Mistakes and Money Talk

I’m broke — When Money Runs Out
Means “I don’t have money right now.” Example: “I’d love to go out, but I’m broke this week.” It sounds honest and lighthearted — perfect for casual talk.

I screwed up — When You Make a Mistake
Means “I made a mistake” or “It’s my fault.” Example: “I sent the wrong file — I totally screwed up.” It’s fine for casual settings, but too informal for professional use.

🎉 Everyday Idioms You’ll Hear Often

Piece of cake — When Something Is Easy
Means “Very easy.” Example: “That grammar test was a piece of cake!” Using idioms like this shows that you understand how English is used in real conversations.

Break the ice — How to Start Talking Comfortably
Means “Begin a conversation in a friendly way.” Example: “Asking a small question can help break the ice with new people.” This one is especially useful when meeting someone for the first time.

Blah blah blah — Skipping Boring Details
Used when you don’t want to repeat everything. Example: “He talked about work, deadlines, meetings, blah blah blah.” It’s playful and common in casual talk — just don’t use it in formal situations.

🙈 Apologies, Stress, and Support

My bad — A Casual Way to Say Sorry
Means “It’s my fault” or “Sorry.” Example: “Oops, I missed that email — my bad!” It’s short, direct, and informal. In a business email, though, you’d say “I apologize for the oversight.”

Chill out / Take it easy — When Someone’s Stressed
Means “Relax” or “Calm down.” Example: “You forgot my message!” — “Chill out, I was busy.” Use a gentle tone; otherwise, it can sound impolite.

Hang in there — When You Want to Encourage Someone
Means “Don’t give up.” Example: “Hang in there — English learning gets easier.” I’ll never forget when my teacher told me this during exam week. It felt like a small hug in words.

👍 Compliments and Encouragement

You nailed it — Giving a Compliment
Means “You did something perfectly!” Example: “You nailed that presentation!” It’s encouraging and fun — one of my favorite compliments.

Good for you — Sharing Someone’s Joy
Means “I’m happy for you” or “Well done.” Example: “I finally passed my test!” — “Good for you!” It’s short, sweet, and full of encouragement.

🤝 Friendly Words and Common Mix-Ups

Buddy, Bud, and Bad — Friendly or Confusing Words
Let’s clear up this common mix-up. Buddy means “friend.”

Canadians love using it. “Hey buddy, how are you?” means “Hey friend, how’s it going?”

Bud is the short form of buddy. “Thanks, bud!” or “See you soon, bud.” Bad, on the other hand, usually means “not good.”

But sometimes, in slang, “bad” can mean “awesome” or “impressive.”

“That was one bad car!” means “That car was amazing!”

Baddy or “baddie” is slang for a confident or attractive person — not the same as buddy. And just so you know, “How are you, bad?” is never correct.

You’d say, “How are you, buddy?” or “Are you feeling bad?”

💬 Expressive Phrases and Reactions

Give me a break — Expressing Frustration or Surprise
Means “Stop bothering me” or “That’s unbelievable.” Example: “You want me to learn 100 idioms in one day? Give me a break!” It’s dramatic but funny — use it with care.

Hit me up — A Friendly Way to Say Contact Me
Means “Message me” or “Reach out.” Example: “Hit me up if you want to study together.” Perfect for casual chats, but never for emails to your boss!

I’m in / I’m out — Saying Yes or No Quickly
Means “I’ll join” or “I’m not interested.” Example: “We’re meeting after work.” — “I’m in!” It’s short, expressive, and easy to remember.

You know what I mean — Checking Understanding
Used to make sure someone understands your idea. Example: “Sometimes idioms make no sense, you know what I mean?” It’s friendly and keeps the conversation natural.

Beats me — When You Have No Idea
Means “I don’t know.” Example: “Why is English spelling so weird?” — “Beats me.” It’s casual, honest, and a little funny.

No big deal — When Something Isn’t Important
Means “It’s fine” or “No problem.” Example: “Sorry, I spilled water.” — “No big deal.” This one’s great for everyday life — simple and kind.

Long story short — Summarizing a Story
Means “To summarize quickly.” Example: “Long story short, I missed my bus and still arrived on time.” A classic storytelling phrase that sounds friendly and natural.

💡 💬 Informal Expressions in English for Everyday Conversations in Real Life

When you live in an English-speaking country, you’ll notice people use these expressions all the time. They make language sound alive, spontaneous, and human. But remember — they are informal.

✅ Use them when:
• Talking to friends, classmates, or coworkers you know well
• Writing casual texts or chatting online
• Watching movies or listening to songs

❌ Avoid them when:
• Writing essays, emails, or official reports
• Speaking in interviews or presentations

They’re like your weekend clothes — comfortable, personal, and expressive, but not something you wear to a business meeting.

🧩 My Toronto Lesson

When I first started learning these informal phrases in Toronto, I had a small notebook where I wrote down everything I didn’t understand — “no worries,” “hang in there,” “you bet,” and even “eh?” (yes, that famous Canadian expression).

One day, I confidently said to my classmate, “You nailed it, eh?”
She laughed and said, “Now you’re officially Canadian!”

That’s when I realized these small phrases carry more than just words — they carry culture, friendliness, and humor.

💡 Expression: “You know”

Meaning:
The phrase “you know” is one of the most common fillers in spoken English. It doesn’t literally mean that the listener knows something — instead, it’s used to:

• Keep the conversation flowing,
• Check if the listener is following, or
• Add a natural pause while you think.

Think of it as a soft connector that makes speech sound more relaxed and conversational.

📚 Examples:

✅ To check understanding:
“I was really nervous before the exam, you know?”
👉 (The speaker is checking if the listener understands how that feels.)

✅ To fill a pause naturally:
“I was walking to work, you know, and it suddenly started raining.”
👉 (The speaker uses “you know” while thinking of the next words.)

✅ To create a connection:
“You know, learning English is easier when you make it fun.”
👉 (It helps sound friendly and engaging.)

💬 Tone Tip:

It’s very common in casual English, but don’t overuse it — too many “you knows” can make your speech sound uncertain or repetitive.

⚠️ When Not to Use It:

Avoid it in formal writing or professional speeches.
For example, don’t write:
❌ “This report shows, you know, an increase in sales.”
✅ Instead say: “This report shows a clear increase in sales.”

💡 Quick Summary:

“You know” = A friendly way to connect, check understanding, or think aloud.
It’s part of natural, spoken English — perfect for casual talk, storytelling, or emotional sharing.

FAQ

🌟 Final Thoughts: Informal Expressions in English: Speak Naturally, Learn Smart

Learning informal expressions in English for everyday conversations helps you understand how people really speak. You don’t have to use all of them, but knowing them will make conversations easier, faster, and more enjoyable.

✅ My advice:
• Listen carefully to native speakers in shows, podcasts, or YouTube videos.
• Repeat and practice phrases that sound natural to you.
• Use them in casual talk, but switch to formal language for professional settings.

Language is like clothing — you choose what fits the moment. Learn the rules, but also learn the rhythm of real conversation.

And if you want to keep improving, check out my other articles about vocabulary development and grammar rules — they’ll help you sound confident, correct, and natural every time you speak. 💙

English Learning for Valentine’s Day: Love’s Language in Action

Valentine’s Day Vocabulary: Learn Romantic Words, Phrases, and Idioms to Impress Your Loved One

Valentine’s Day Vocabulary for Married Couples: Love Language in English

Master Spring English Vocabulary: Words, Phrases, and Activities

Canadian Slang Words for Newcomers: 20 You Must Know

Master Essential Summer English Vocabulary for Travel and Fun

AI: The New Era in Language Learning, 

English at the Beach: Mastering Coastal Conversations and Vocabulary

Thanks for reading,

M.K

Sharing is caring!