Sound More Natural: A2 → C2 Upgrades

American and British English. This page includes both American English and British English expressions. Some phrases are more common in one variety than the other, but you will hear and need both, so we keep them side by side.

Every row below starts with a correct but very basic A2 sentence — the kind you learn first. Next to it are several ways a real native speaker would express the exact same thing at a C2 level. You don't need to memorize all the alternatives for each phrase — just start swapping one or two into your own speech at a time.

Everyday Phrases by Category

20 categories, 600 phrase pairs, over 1,600 C2-level alternatives in total.

Opinions & Beliefs

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I think that...	My gut feeling is that... / I'd wager that... / The way I see it, ...
I don't think so.	Not a chance. / I wouldn't bet on it. / That doesn't ring true to me.
I agree.	You took the words right out of my mouth. / Spot on. / I'm with you all the way.
I disagree.	That's a bit of a stretch. / I'm not buying it.
I believe it is true.	I'd say it holds water. / I'd put money on it being true. / It rings true to me.
I am sure.	I'd stake my life on it. / Without a shadow of a doubt. / I'd bet my bottom dollar on it.
I am not sure.	I'm torn. / It's a toss-up. / Your guess is as good as mine.
In my opinion...	For what it's worth, ... / My two cents is that...
What do you think?	Care to weigh in? / Am I off base here?
It is good.	It's top-notch. / It's the real deal. / It's dope.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
It is bad.	It's rubbish. / It's a dud. / It's a train wreck.
I understand.	I'm with you. / Got it.
I don't understand.	It's all Greek to me. / I can't make heads or tails of it. / It's going right over my head.
It is easy.	It's a breeze. / It's a cakewalk. / It's easy as pie.
It is difficult.	It's a tough nut to crack. / It's an uphill battle.
I know.	Tell me about it. / Don't I know it. / Tell me something I don't know.
I don't know.	Beats me. / No clue.
It is important.	It's a must. / It's kind of a big deal. / It's non-negotiable.
I prefer this one.	This one wins hands down. / This one's got my vote. / I'm team this one.
I doubt it.	Yeah, right. / Fat chance. / I wouldn't hold my breath.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I am wrong.	I was way off. / I got it all wrong. / I was barking up the wrong tree.
I am right.	I told you so. / I'm spot on.
It makes sense.	It stands to reason. / It figures.
It doesn't make sense.	It doesn't hold water. / It makes zero sense. / That's a head-scratcher.
I have no opinion.	I'm easy either way. / I don't have a dog in this fight.
I changed my mind.	I've done a one-eighty. / I did a complete U-turn. / I'm singing a different tune now.
That's true.	You said it. / Too true. / No argument there.
That's not true.	That's a load of nonsense. / That's total baloney. / Not even close.
I want to know more.	I'm all ears. / Fill me in. / Don't stop there.
It depends.	It's a case-by-case thing. / It all comes down to...

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Wishes & Preferences

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I want to...	I've got a hankering to... / I've got the urge to... / I'm bursting to...
I like this.	I'm digging this. / This is my jam. / I'm loving this.
I love this.	I'm obsessed with this. / This is everything. / I'm head over heels for this.
I don't like this.	This is a hard pass for me. / I can't stand this. / This just isn't my cup of tea.
I want to go.	I'm itching to get out of here. / Let's hit the road. / I'm dying to get going.
I want to eat.	I could eat a horse. / I'm starving. / I'm dying for a bite.
I want to sleep.	I need to catch some Z's. / I could sleep for a week. / I'm ready to hit the hay.
I want to buy this.	I'm sold. / I'm splurging on this. / I've got to have this.
I want to see it.	I've got to see this for myself. / Gimme a look.
I prefer coffee.	Coffee's my go-to. / Coffee all the way. / Give me coffee any day.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I don't want to talk.	I'm not up for a chat. / Let's not go there. / I'm keeping my lips sealed.
I wish I could.	If only. / I wish I could, believe me. / I'd give my right arm to.
I hope so.	Touch wood. / Knock on wood. / Let's hope and pray.
I need help.	I'm in over my head. / I'm in a bit of a jam. / Throw me a lifeline.
I would like to...	I wouldn't say no to... / I'm dying to... / I'm itching to...
Do you want...?	Are you game for...? / You in for...?
Can I have...?	Mind if I grab...? / Can I snag...? / Hook me up with...?
I am bored.	I'm bored to tears. / I'm bored to death. / I'm going out of my mind with boredom.
I am excited.	I'm buzzing. / I'm pumped. / I'm over the moon.
I don't mind.	It's all good. / It doesn't faze me.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I would rather not.	Count me out. / I'll take a rain check. / Not my scene.
I really want it.	I've got to have it. / I'd kill for it. / I'm dead set on it.
I feel like doing something fun.	Let's shake things up. / I'm up for some fun. / Let's live a little.
I changed my mind about it.	I've done a U-turn. / I've flipped on that.
I would love that.	You bet! / Sign me up!
I am craving something sweet.	I'm jonesing for something sweet. / I'm dying for a sugar hit. / I need a sugar fix.
I want to relax.	I'm gonna kick back. / I need to decompress. / I want to put my feet up.
I want to try something new.	Time to step out of my comfort zone. / I'm up for something new.
I am not interested.	Not my thing. / I'll pass. / It leaves me cold.
I would appreciate it.	I'd owe you one. / That'd be a lifesaver. / That'd mean a lot.

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A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
How are you?	What's up? / What's new? / What's the good word?
How is your work?	How's the grind? / Is work keeping you busy? / How's the daily grind?
I am busy.	I'm slammed. / I'm jam-packed today. / I'm drowning in work.
I am free.	I'm free as a bird. / My calendar's wide open.
Let's meet.	Let's link up. / Let's grab a coffee. / Let's grab some time together.
See you later.	Later! / Laters! / Catch you on the flip side.
Can you help me?	Lend me a hand? / Can I pick your brain? / Mind bailing me out?
Thank you.	Cheers! / You're a lifesaver.
You are welcome.	No worries. / No sweat.
Sorry I am late.	Sorry, I'm running behind. / My bad, I got held up. / Sorry, time got away from me.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I have an idea.	I've got a bright idea. / I've got a brainwave.
What time is it?	Got the time? / What's the time?
I am ready.	I'm locked and loaded. / Let's roll. / I'm raring to go.
It is okay.	It's decent. / It'll do.
Have a nice day.	Have a great rest of your day! / Make it a great one!
Good luck.	Break a leg! / Knock 'em dead! / Go get 'em!
I am tired.	I'm dead on my feet. / I'm out on my feet. / I'm zonked.
Call me later.	Hit me up later. / Buzz me later.
What do you do?	What's your gig? / What are you up to these days? / What pays the bills for you?
Where do you work?	Where's your day job? / Where are you working these days? / Who signs your paychecks?

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I got a new job.	I bagged a new gig. / I scored a new job. / I got hired.
I lost my job.	I got the boot. / I got the sack.
I have a lot of friends.	I've got friends coming out of my ears. / I've got friends all over. / I know everybody and their dog.
Let's hang out.	Let's chill. / Let's kick it. / Let's hang.
I introduced myself.	I walked up and said my name. / I put myself out there.
I get along with him.	We're thick as thieves. / We're on the same wavelength. / We get along like a house on fire.
I don't get along with her.	We're like oil and water. / We butt heads. / We're not on the same page.
I made a new friend.	I've made a new buddy. / I found a new partner in crime. / I've got a new pal.
I have to go now.	I've gotta dash. / I've got to split. / I'm off.
Nice to meet you.	Great meeting you! / Pleased to meet you! / Nice meeting you!

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Emotions & Health

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I am happy.	I'm on top of the world. / I'm walking on air. / I'm tickled pink.
I am sad.	I'm in the dumps. / I'm down in the dumps. / I'm gutted.
I am angry.	I'm boiling mad. / I'm steaming. / I'm ready to blow my top.
I am scared.	I'm scared out of my wits. / I'm shaking in my boots.
I am relaxed.	I'm cool as a cucumber. / I'm totally zen. / I'm as calm as a millpond.
I am confused.	I'm all over the place. / I'm at a loss. / I'm in a fog.
I am surprised.	You could knock me down with a feather. / I'm blown away.
I am hungry.	I could murder a sandwich. / I'm ravenous. / My belly thinks my throat's been cut.
I am thirsty.	I could murder a drink. / I'm dying of thirst. / I'm dry as a bone.
I am cold.	I'm freezing my butt off. / I'm frozen to the bone. / I'm numb with cold.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I am hot.	I'm sweating buckets. / I'm melting.
I feel sick.	I'm feeling rough. / I feel like death warmed up. / I'm under the weather.
I am better.	I'm back on my feet. / I'm right as rain. / I'm back in the game.
I am worse.	I'm going from bad to worse. / I'm in a bad way. / I'm feeling even rougher.
I am hurt.	I'm in agony. / It hurts like hell. / I banged myself up.
I am lonely.	I feel all by myself. / I feel all alone in the world. / I'm on my own here.
I am proud.	I'm chuffed to bits. / I'm swelling with pride. / I'm proud as punch.
I am ashamed.	I'm dying of embarrassment. / I want the ground to swallow me up. / I'm red-faced.
I am calm.	I'm as cool as ice. / I'm keeping it together.
I am curious.	I'm itching to know. / I'm all ears. / I'm curious as a cat.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I am nervous.	I'm a nervous wreck. / I'm on pins and needles.
I am stressed.	I'm stressed to the max. / I'm at the end of my rope.
I am jealous.	The green-eyed monster's got me. / I'm eaten up with jealousy.
I am disappointed.	I'm gutted. / I'm crushed. / It's a real downer.
I feel great.	I'm on fire. / I feel like a million bucks.
I have a headache.	My head's killing me. / I've got a headache from hell. / I've got a raging headache.
I need to rest.	I need to recharge my batteries. / I need to catch my breath.
I feel weak.	I'm running on empty. / I'm wiped out. / I'm feeling like a wet rag.
I am grateful.	I owe you big time. / I'm forever in your debt.
I am confident.	I've got this in the bag. / I'm on top of things. / I'm a shoo-in.

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Daily Actions

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I wake up.	I drag myself out of bed around... / I'm up with the lark around... / I crawl out of bed around...
I go to bed.	I hit the sack around... / I hit the hay around... / I crash around...
I take a shower.	I rinse off. / I get cleaned up.
I eat breakfast.	I wolf down some breakfast. / I grab a quick bite.
I go to work.	I hit the road for work. / I start my shift. / I make my way in.
I clean the house.	I give the place a once-over. / I scrub the place from top to bottom. / I get the place spick and span.
I cook dinner.	I throw something together for dinner. / I rustle up some dinner. / I get cooking.
I watch TV.	I veg out in front of the TV. / I catch some TV. / I zone out in front of the screen.
I read a book.	I lose myself in a good book. / I bury my nose in a book. / I devour a book.
I listen to music.	I crank up the tunes. / I blast some music. / I put on a playlist.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I call my friend.	I ring up a mate. / I check in with a friend. / I hit up a friend.
I go shopping.	I hit the shops. / I do a bit of retail therapy. / I pop out for some shopping.
I walk the dog.	I take the pup out. / I take the dog out for a stroll. / I do my daily dog walk.
I study English.	I hit the books for English. / I keep at my English. / I put in some English study time.
I relax.	I kick back. / I switch off.
I exercise.	I break a sweat. / I get my sweat on.
I pay bills.	I get the bills out of the way. / I stay on top of the bills.
I drive to work.	I hit the road for work. / I drive in every morning. / I do the daily commute.
I use the computer.	I'm glued to the screen. / I'm on the PC.
I finish work.	I call it a day. / I knock off.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I make coffee.	I whip up a coffee. / I get my caffeine fix. / I make a fresh pot.
I get dressed.	I chuck some clothes on. / I throw on an outfit. / I throw something on.
I go grocery shopping.	I do the big shop. / I hit the supermarket.
I do the laundry.	I throw a load in. / I get through the laundry.
I take a nap.	I grab a quick kip. / I close my eyes for a bit.
I check my phone.	I see what's new on my phone. / I check my notifications. / I have a quick scroll.
I brush my teeth.	I give my teeth a thorough going-over. / I get my teeth squeaky clean.
I go to sleep late.	I stay up past midnight. / I stay up till all hours.
I get things done.	I knock things out. / I crack on. / I power through my tasks.
I take a break.	I pause for a moment. / I come up for air.

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Problems & Solutions

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I have a problem.	I've hit a wall. / I'm in a bit of a pickle. / I've got a situation on my hands.
It is broken.	It's kaput. / It's dead.
I lost my key.	I've lost my key somewhere. / My key's nowhere to be found.
I am lost.	I haven't got a clue where I am. / I'm completely turned around.
I am late.	I'm running a bit late. / I'm fashionably late. / I'll be there in a few minutes.
I made a mistake.	I messed up. / I screwed up. / I goofed.
I forgot.	I blanked. / It totally slipped my mind. / I drew a blank.
I am sorry.	My bad. / I feel terrible about it. / I owe you an apology.
Don't worry.	Chill. / No need to stress.
It is my fault.	The blame's on me. / I dropped the ball. / I own it.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
Help me.	Save me! / Come to my rescue! / Bail me out here!
What is wrong?	What's the deal? / What's up with you? / What gives?
I need more time.	I need a bit more runway. / I could use an extension. / Give me some breathing room.
It is too expensive.	It's a rip-off. / It's daylight robbery.
It is too slow.	It's slow as molasses. / It's slower than a snail.
It is too small.	It's teeny. / It's tiny. / It's a bit of a squeeze.
It is too big.	It's huge. / It's massive. / It's way too big.
I can't do it.	I'm not up to it. / I can't pull it off.
Try again.	Take another crack at it. / Try, try again.
It is okay.	It's cool. / It's all good. / No biggie.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
It stopped working.	It's conked out. / It's gone belly up.
I need to fix this.	I need to iron this out. / I need to get this working again.
It is complicated.	It's a can of worms. / It's a real tangle. / It's a bit of a maze.
I gave up.	I chucked it in. / I hung it up. / I walked away from it.
I solved it.	I nailed it. / I sorted it.
I need advice.	I need to pick your brain. / Talk me through this.
It went wrong.	It went south. / It blew up in my face.
I ran out of time.	I was up against the clock. / The clock ran out on me.
It is not working.	It's glitching. / It's on the fritz. / It's gone haywire.
I need to cancel.	I've got to pull the plug. / I have to drop out. / I've got to scrap it.

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Communication & Questions

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
What is this?	What's the deal with this? / What on earth is this? / What's this thing?
Who is he?	Who's this guy? / Who's that dude? / Who's the new face?
Where is it?	Where's it at? / Any idea where it's gone?
Why are you here?	What's the occasion? / What brings you around? / To what do I owe the pleasure?
Can you repeat?	Run that by me again. / Say what?
Speak slowly.	Take it slower, will you? / I can't keep up, slow down. / Slow it down a notch.
What does it mean?	What are you getting at? / What are you driving at? / What does that even mean?
How do I say...?	What do you call...? / What's it called when...? / How do you put it...?
Can you explain?	Break it down for me. / Spell it out for me. / Can you clue me in?
I didn't hear.	Come again? / What was that? / Say that again?

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
Listen to me.	Lend me your ears. / Listen up, this is important. / Just hear me out, okay?
Look at this.	Feast your eyes on this. / Would you look at that!
Tell me.	Spill the beans. / Lay it on me. / Give me the scoop.
Ask him.	Take it up with him. / Ask him yourself. / Pick his brain.
Write it down.	Take note. / Put it in writing.
Read this.	Look this over. / Skim this. / Get a load of this.
Open the book.	Flip open your book. / Open it up.
Close the door.	Get that door closed. / Shut it behind you.
Sit down.	Park yourself. / Take a load off.
Stand up.	Up and at 'em! / Get on your feet!

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I have a question.	Just curious, ... / Can I pick your brain?
I don't agree with that statement.	I'm not sold on that. / That's not going to fly with me.
Speak up.	Speak up, I can barely hear you. / Come again, louder this time. / Turn it up a notch.
Keep your voice down.	Keep it down, will you? / Not so loud, okay? / Easy on the volume.
Let's talk about it.	Let's hash it out. / Let's clear the air. / Let's get to the bottom of it.
I have nothing to say.	I've got nothing. / I've got nothing more to say. / Words fail me.
That's a good question.	Now you're asking. / That's the million-dollar question. / Great question, actually.
Correct me if I'm wrong.	Call me out if I'm off. / Jump in if I'm off base. / Set me straight if I'm wrong.
I'll explain later.	I'll circle back to that. / I'll spill the details later. / More on that later.
Don't interrupt me.	Hold on, let me finish. / Don't talk over me. / Let me get a word in.

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Travel & Getting Around

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I want a ticket.	Gimme a ticket. / Hook me up with a ticket. / I'll take one ticket.
Where is the bus?	Where's the bus at? / Where do I hop on the bus? / Where do buses leave from?
It is far.	It's miles away. / It's a hike. / It's in the middle of nowhere.
It is near.	It's right around the corner. / It's a hop, skip and a jump. / It's practically next door.
Turn left.	Take a left at the lights. / Make a left.
Turn right.	Take a right at the lights. / Make a right.
Go straight.	Straight ahead, all the way. / Straight on till the end.
I am tired of walking.	I'm dead on my feet. / My dogs are barking. / I can't take another step.
Is it open?	Are they still open? / Is the place open yet?
Is it closed?	Have they called it a day? / Have they locked up?

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I want to book a room.	I need a place to crash. / I'm after a room. / Got any vacancies?
Where is the toilet?	Where's the bathroom at? / Where's the john? / Where can I powder my nose?
I am hungry.	My stomach's growling. / I'm hungry as a horse. / I'm starving hungry.
I am thirsty.	I could murder a drink. / I'm dying of thirst. / I'm dry as a bone.
The train is fast.	The train's flying. / It's like a bullet train. / That train really moves.
I like this place.	This place is a gem. / I'm digging this place. / This place is right up my alley.
I want to go home.	I just want to get home. / I'm homeward bound. / I'm headed for home.
Take me there.	Give me a lift there. / Can you run me over there? / Give me a ride over there.
Have a good trip.	Bon voyage! / Have a blast!
I missed my flight.	I missed my flight by minutes. / I got to the gate too late. / I watched my plane take off.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
My flight is delayed.	My flight's stuck on the tarmac. / My flight's held up. / My flight's running way behind.
I need to check in.	I've got to get checked in. / Time to get checked in. / Better sort out check-in.
I am packing my bags.	I'm throwing my stuff in a bag. / I'm cramming my things into a suitcase. / I'm throwing everything into my suitcase.
The traffic is bad.	It's a parking lot out there. / It's gridlock. / The roads are jammed.
I need directions.	Point me in the right direction. / I'm turned around here.
I got on the wrong bus.	I've gone and got on the wrong bus. / I'm on the wrong bus.
The road is closed.	The road's a no-go. / The road's out of action. / It's roped off.
I want a window seat.	I call the window seat. / I'll grab the window. / Window seat for me.
We arrived early.	We beat the crowd. / We got here with time to spare. / We got here bright and early.
I need a taxi.	I need to flag down a cab. / I'll hail a cab. / Get me a cab.

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Shopping & Money

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I want to buy this.	I'll snap this up. / I'm splurging on this. / I'm going for this.
How much is it?	What's it going to set me back? / How much are you asking? / What does it cost?
It is too much.	That's over the top. / That's beyond my budget.
I have no money.	I'm flat broke. / I haven't got a penny. / I'm cleaned out.
I pay by card.	I'll swipe my card. / Card is fine.
I pay by cash.	I'll pay cash. / Cash is fine. / I'll hand over cash.
Where is the shop?	Where's the shop at? / Where's the nearest store? / Any shops around here?
I need a bag.	Got a bag? / Can I grab a bag? / Could I get a bag?
I want a refund.	I want my money back. / I'd like my cash back. / Can I get my money back?
It is on sale.	It's a steal. / It's going cheap. / It's a bargain.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
Do you have size M?	Got this in medium? / Do you carry an M? / Any chance of this in M?
Can I try this on?	Can I try this on for size? / Can I give this a try?
I am looking for...	I'm hunting for... / I've got my eye on... / I'm scouting for...
I will take it.	Sold! / I'm sold.
It is cheap.	It's a real bargain. / It's practically free.
It is expensive.	It's not cheap. / It costs an arm and a leg. / It's eye-wateringly expensive.
Where is the receipt?	Where did the receipt disappear to? / Where's the proof of purchase? / Where's the slip?
I want to return this.	I'm bringing this back. / This is going back. / I'm taking this back for a refund.
Do you accept credit cards?	Do you take plastic? / Is card fine? / Can I tap?
I am saving money.	I'm being careful with money. / I'm pinching pennies.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I spent too much.	I blew a lot of money. / I went wild with my card.
This is a good deal.	This is a steal. / It's a no-brainer. / This is a killer deal.
I am broke.	I'm penniless. / I haven't got two pennies to rub together.
I need to withdraw money.	I need to get to the ATM. / I need some cash. / I need to pull out some cash.
I want to compare prices.	I'm shopping around. / I'm hunting for the best price. / I want to check the competition.
That's a rip-off.	It's highway robbery. / They're ripping people off.
I paid in full.	I paid it all off. / I've settled everything. / It's all squared away.
I am on a budget.	I'm on a shoestring. / I'm counting my pennies.
Can I get a discount?	Can you cut me a deal? / Any wiggle room on the price? / Can you do me a better price?
This is worth the price.	It's worth every cent. / It's money well spent. / It's worth the splurge.

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Time & Plans

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
What time is it?	Can you tell me what time it is? / Any chance you know the time? / What time have we got?
See you tomorrow.	See you bright and early. / Tomorrow, then.
See you next week.	See you this time next week. / See you in seven.
I am free on Friday.	I've got Friday free. / Friday's wide open. / My Friday is clear.
I have a meeting.	I'm tied up in a meeting. / I'm stuck in a meeting.
I am busy today.	I'm slammed today. / I'm swamped today. / I've got a lot on today.
It is early.	It's the crack of dawn. / It's barely light out.
It is late.	It's late in the day. / It's the eleventh hour.
Do you have time?	Got a sec? / Do you have a sec? / Can I grab you for a minute?
I am in a hurry.	I'm on the clock. / I'm short on time.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
Wait for me.	Hold up. / Give me a sec. / Hang on a sec.
It takes time.	It takes forever. / Rome wasn't built in a day. / It's not a quick fix.
I am ready.	I'm ready and raring to go. / I'm locked and loaded.
Let's go.	Let's roll. / Let's bounce.
I have a busy schedule.	I'm booked solid. / I've got a jam-packed schedule. / My calendar's a nightmare.
Are you free?	Are you good for a chat? / Are you free right now? / Got a moment?
I am checking my calendar.	I'm having a peek at my calendar. / Let me check my diary. / Let me see what my week looks like.
I finished.	I've wrapped it up. / I finished it off.
I will be there.	You can count on me. / I'll be there with bells on. / I'm there.
Can we change the time?	Can we move it to another time? / Can we bump it? / Can we shuffle things around?

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
Let's plan ahead.	Let's get a plan in place. / Let's map it out.
I need to reschedule.	I need to push it back. / I've got to shuffle things around. / I need to bump it.
I am running out of time.	The clock is ticking. / Time's flying. / I'm down to the wire.
It happened suddenly.	It happened in the blink of an eye. / It came right out of left field. / It happened in a flash.
I will do it soon.	I'll get around to it. / I'll do it in a bit. / It's next on my to-do list.
I have plenty of time.	I've got time to burn. / I'm not in a hurry. / I've got all day.
Let's start on time.	Let's start on the dot. / Let's be on the dot.
It's overdue.	It should've been done ages ago. / It's about time.
I lost track of time.	Time flew by. / I didn't notice the time.
Let's set a deadline.	Let's nail down a deadline. / Let's pin it down. / Let's lock in a cutoff date.

1 / 3

Weather & Nature

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
It is sunny.	It's a scorcher. / The sun's beating down.
It is raining.	It's raining cats and dogs. / It's coming down in sheets.
It is windy.	It's a bit breezy. / The wind's howling.
It is cold outside.	It's Arctic out there. / It's nippy out there. / It's freezing my toes off.
It is hot outside.	It's hot enough to fry an egg. / It's a sauna out there.
The weather is nice.	It's glorious out there. / The weather's perfect. / It's cracking weather.
The weather is bad.	It's awful out there. / The weather's rubbish. / It's foul out there.
It is cloudy.	It's dull and grey. / It's a bit murky. / It's grey as far as the eye can see.
It is snowing.	It's a winter wonderland out there. / It's coming down in flakes. / It's a blizzard out there.
There is a storm.	It's a proper storm. / A storm's about to hit. / There's a right old storm.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
It might rain later.	It looks like it'll chuck it down later. / We might get a shower later. / We might get some rain.
The forecast is good.	Looks like clear skies ahead. / It's set to be a cracker. / Fair weather's on the way.
It is humid.	It's like a sauna out there. / It's a sweat box. / The air's like soup.
I love the outdoors.	I'm a nature lover. / Nothing beats the great outdoors.
The sky is clear.	Not a cloud in the sky. / It's crystal clear. / It's a cloudless day.
I saw a rainbow.	A rainbow popped out. / I caught a glimpse of a rainbow. / A rainbow lit up the sky.
The leaves are falling.	The leaves are raining down. / Fall's in full swing.
The flowers are blooming.	It's blossom time. / The garden is bursting with color.
It is a beautiful sunset.	What a sunset! / The sky is on fire. / It's a postcard sunset.
I like being in nature.	I'm at my best in nature. / I'm a nature lover. / Nature's my thing.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
The river is flowing fast.	The river's rushing. / The river's tearing along. / The water's really moving.
There was an earthquake.	The earth shook. / The ground moved. / We felt the ground shake.
The air is fresh.	The air's crisp and clean. / You can breathe out here. / It's like a breath of fresh air.
It is foggy.	There's thick fog. / You can't see your hand in front of your face. / The fog's as thick as soup.
The moon is full.	The moon's glowing full and round. / The moon's full and bright tonight.
I saw wild animals.	I got up close to wildlife. / I ran into some wild animals. / I got a glimpse of wildlife.
The plants need water.	The plants are parched. / The plants are wilting. / The plants are crying out for water.
It is getting dark.	Night's closing in. / It's going dark. / The light's fading.
The trees are tall.	The trees are sky-high. / The trees reach for the sky.
I want to go hiking.	I'm dying to hit the trails. / Let's hit the trails. / I'm itching to go hiking.

1 / 3

Food & Dining

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
The food is good.	The food's top-notch. / The food's out of this world. / The food slaps.
The food is bad.	The food's a letdown. / The food's dreadful. / The food's bland and boring.
I want to eat out.	Let's dine out. / Let's hit a restaurant.
Can I see the menu?	Menu, please. / Could we get a menu? / Got a menu?
I would like to order.	We're ready when you are. / I'll go for... / I'll have...
The bill, please.	Check, please! / Let's settle up. / We'll take the bill.
This is delicious.	This is out of this world. / This is finger-licking good. / This is to die for.
This tastes bad.	This is nasty. / This tastes awful. / This is inedible.
I am full.	I'm about to burst. / I'm full to the brim. / I ate way too much.
I am still hungry.	I'm still starving. / My tummy's still rumbling. / I could go another round.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I want spicy food.	Bring on the heat. / I want something with a kick. / Make it hot.
This is too salty.	It's like the Dead Sea. / It's a salt lick. / It's like eating a salt lick.
Can we book a table?	Can we snag a table? / Any tables free? / Got a table for us?
The restaurant is crowded.	The restaurant's jam-packed. / It's wall-to-wall people. / It's standing room only.
I am on a diet.	I'm trying to be good. / I'm on a strict regime. / I'm on a health kick.
This dish is my favorite.	This dish is my absolute favorite. / This dish is my jam. / This is my comfort food.
Let's have a coffee.	Let's grab a cuppa. / Coffee, anyone? / Let's go get a caffeine fix.
I cooked this myself.	I whipped it up myself. / This is homemade.
It smells great.	It smells heavenly. / It smells mouthwatering. / My mouth's watering.
I want to try new food.	I'm up for trying anything. / I love a foodie adventure. / I'll try anything once.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
This is undercooked.	It's raw. / It's still pink in the middle. / It's barely cooked.
This is overcooked.	It's burnt to a crisp. / It's like leather. / It's as dry as a bone.
I need a table for two.	Table for two, please. / A table for two would be great. / Two of us, please.
Do you have vegetarian options?	Anything veggie on the menu? / Any meat-free options?
I would like a refill.	Can I get a refill? / Fill 'er up, please. / Another round, please.
The service is slow.	The service is glacial. / The service is dragging. / The service is at a snail's pace.
The portion is big.	The portion is enormous. / It's a mountain of food. / The portions are huge.
I want dessert.	I've got room for dessert. / I'm going for dessert. / Bring on the dessert.
This place is expensive.	This place costs a fortune. / This place is a rip-off. / This place will burn a hole in your pocket.
Let's split the bill.	Let's split it down the middle. / Let's chip in.

1 / 3

Family & Relationships

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I have a big family.	I come from a huge clan. / I've got a big brood. / We're a big family.
I love my parents.	I'm crazy about my parents. / I love my parents to bits.
We get along well.	We get on like a house on fire. / We're thick as thieves. / We click.
We don't get along.	We butt heads. / We're like chalk and cheese. / We can't stand each other.
I miss my family.	I'm missing my family like crazy. / I'm longing to see my family. / I'd give anything to see my family.
My parents raised me well.	My parents did right by me. / My parents raised me right. / I was brought up right.
I am getting married.	We're walking down the aisle. / We're tying the knot.
We had an argument.	We had a blazing row. / We had a bust-up. / We got into a screaming match.
We made up.	We kissed and made up. / We smoothed things over.
I trust him completely.	I've got total faith in him. / He's never let me down. / He's rock solid.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I don't trust her.	I don't trust her as far as I can throw her. / She's shifty.
We are close friends.	We're joined at the hip. / We're tight.
I grew up here.	I'm from around here. / This is my hometown. / I'm a local.
My grandparents live far away.	My grandparents live in the back of beyond. / My grandparents are miles away. / My grandparents live way out.
I take care of my kids.	I've got my hands full with my kids. / I'm running after my kids. / I'm up to my ears in kids.
We had a family reunion.	The whole clan got together. / We had a big family bash. / We had a family do.
I look like my mother.	I'm my mother's double. / I'm a chip off the old block.
We are expecting a baby.	We've got a bun in the oven. / We're expecting a little one. / A little one's on the way.
My siblings and I are close.	My siblings and I are thick as thieves. / My siblings are my best friends. / We're a tight-knit bunch.
I don't see them often.	I hardly ever see them. / I see them once in a blue moon. / We see each other once in a blue moon.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
We are like a second family.	They're family in all but name. / They're my ride or die. / They're like blood to me.
I inherited this from my grandfather.	It's a hand-me-down from my grandfather. / This is an heirloom from my grandfather. / It came down from my grandfather.
I broke up with my partner.	I dumped my partner. / My partner and I parted ways.
We are dating.	We're going steady. / We're courting.
I depend on my family.	I lean on my family. / I count on my family. / I've got my family behind me.
I support my siblings.	I've got my siblings' backs. / I bail out my siblings. / I help my siblings out.
We are very different.	We're like chalk and cheese. / We're as different as night and day.
I respect my elders.	I treat my elders with respect. / I defer to my elders.
I want to start a family.	I want to settle down. / I want the whole family thing. / I'm ready to start a family.
We keep in touch.	We're still in touch. / We stay connected. / We check in on each other.

1 / 3

Technology & Internet

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
My phone is broken.	My phone's bust. / My phone's on its last legs. / My phone's kaput.
I need to charge my phone.	I need to juice up my phone. / My phone's running on fumes. / I need to plug in my phone.
The internet is slow.	The internet's moving at a snail's pace. / The internet is dragging. / The Wi-Fi is painfully slow.
I lost my connection.	I've dropped off. / My connection's gone down. / I've lost signal.
I need to update my phone.	I need to patch my phone. / My phone's due an update. / My phone needs the latest software.
I sent you an email.	I fired off an email. / I dropped you a line.
Check your messages.	Take a peek at your messages. / Take a look at your texts. / Check your DMs.
I am on social media.	I'm glued to social media. / I'm scrolling through my feed.
I took a photo.	I snapped a pic. / I grabbed a shot. / I took a pic.
I need to reset my password.	My password needs resetting. / I've got to reset my password. / I need to change my login details.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
My computer crashed.	My computer's gone belly up. / My laptop's blue-screened. / My PC has crashed hard.
I am downloading a file.	A download's in progress. / It's downloading. / I'm grabbing it off the server.
The app is not working.	The app's glitching. / The app's acting up. / The app's gone haywire.
I need a new charger.	I need to pick up a new charger. / I need a replacement charger. / My charger's kaput.
I am watching a video.	I'm on a video binge. / I'm watching videos. / I'm down a YouTube rabbit hole.
I searched it online.	I dug around online. / I looked it up.
My screen is cracked.	My screen's a spiderweb. / My screen's got a crack. / I've got a shattered screen.
I need to back up my files.	I've got to back it all up. / I'd better save my stuff. / I need to back up my data.
I am streaming a show.	I'm on a Netflix binge. / I'm bingeing a series.
I need to install this software.	I'll have to get this software onto my machine. / I need to load this software. / I need to get this installed.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I forgot my login details.	I forgot my credentials. / I don't remember my login.
I am on a video call.	I'm on Zoom. / I'm on a Zoom call. / I'm in a virtual meeting.
The Wi-Fi is down.	The Wi-Fi's on the fritz. / The Wi-Fi's gone down. / The Wi-Fi's dead.
I posted online.	I dropped it online. / I put it out there.
I got a notification.	My phone pinged. / My phone buzzed.
I bought this online.	I snagged this online. / I bought this off the web.
My battery is dying.	My battery's on its last legs. / I'm on 1%. / My phone's about to die.
I need better signal.	I'm not getting any bars. / I've got zero bars. / The reception's terrible.
I updated my profile.	I've given my profile a refresh. / I've spruced up my profile. / I've tweaked my profile.
This website is not loading.	The site's down. / The page is stuck. / The site is dead.

1 / 3

Home & Housing

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I live in a small house.	I live in a shoebox. / I've got a tiny place. / I live in a poky little flat.
I need to clean my room.	I need to clean up my pigsty. / I need to give my room a once-over. / My room's a tip.
The room is messy.	The room's a tip. / The room's a pigsty. / The room looks like a bomb hit it.
I fixed the sink.	I fixed the sink myself. / I got the sink back in working order.
The lights are off.	It's pitch black in here. / Someone killed the lights.
I need to buy furniture.	I need to furnish my place. / I need to fill the place up. / I need to get some furnishings in.
The house is quiet.	It's dead quiet. / It's quiet as a grave. / You could hear a pin drop.
I need to move house.	I've got to pack up and move. / I'm on the move. / It's time to up sticks.
The heating is broken.	The heating's gone kaput. / The heating's on strike.
I redecorated my room.	I spruced up my room. / I've revamped my room.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I need to do repairs.	The place needs some TLC. / I've got a to-do list of repairs. / The place needs a lot of work.
The neighbors are noisy.	The neighbors are a nightmare. / The neighbors won't shut up. / The neighbors are raising the roof.
I am renting an apartment.	I'm renting. / I'm paying rent. / I've got a rented place.
I own my house.	I own my own place. / I've got the keys to my own place.
The garden needs work.	The garden's a jungle. / The garden's gone wild. / The garden's a mess.
I locked the door.	I locked up tight. / I bolted it. / I double-locked the door.
I am painting the walls.	I'm slapping on some paint. / I'm sprucing up the walls. / I'm slapping a fresh coat on the walls.
It is cozy here.	It's snug as a bug in a rug. / It's homey. / It's warm and comfy.
The kitchen is spacious.	The kitchen's massive. / The kitchen has loads of room. / The kitchen has room to spare.
I need a bigger place.	I need to upsize. / I've outgrown this place. / This place is too small for me.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
The rent is expensive.	The rent's sky-high. / The rent eats up half my paycheck.
I set up the furniture.	I built the furniture. / I assembled the furniture. / I got the furniture sorted.
The pipes are leaking.	The pipes are gushing. / The pipes are leaking like a sieve. / A pipe's sprung a leak.
I turned off the tap.	I cranked the tap shut. / I turned off the water. / I shut off the water.
The house needs cleaning.	The place is a state. / The house needs a deep clean. / The house could use a good scrub.
I moved into a new apartment.	I've settled into a new place. / I've got a new place. / I moved into a new pad.
I share the house with roommates.	I've got housemates. / I bunk with a few flatmates. / I'm in a house share.
I need to declutter.	I need to purge my stuff. / I need a good clear-out. / I need to ditch a load of junk.
The air conditioning is on.	The AC's blasting. / The air con's cranked up. / The AC's on full blast.
I feel at home here.	I feel right at home. / It feels like home to me. / I'm at ease here.

1 / 3

Studies & Education

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I am studying for a test.	I'm hitting the books for a test. / I'm burning the midnight oil for a test.
I passed the exam.	I aced the exam. / I smashed the exam. / I nailed the exam.
I failed the exam.	I failed miserably. / I flunked it. / I bombed.
I don't understand this subject.	I can't make heads or tails of this subject. / This subject is all Greek to me. / This subject goes over my head.
I need to do homework.	I've got to knock out my homework. / I've got to get my homework out of the way. / I've got homework hanging over me.
I am learning a new language.	I'm diving into a new language. / I'm wrapping my head around a new language.
My teacher is strict.	My teacher's a stickler. / My teacher is a tough cookie.
I got a good grade.	I nailed it. / I got straight As.
I got a bad grade.	I tanked it. / I bombed it. / I got a terrible mark.
I have a lot of homework.	I'm buried in homework. / I've got homework coming out of my ears.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I need to focus.	I've got to get in the zone. / I need to lock in.
I am distracted.	My mind's all over the place. / I'm off in la-la land. / My attention's shot.
I want to go to university.	I've got my sights set on university. / I'm aiming for uni. / I'm gunning for university.
I dropped out of school.	I bailed on school. / I left school for good.
I graduated last year.	I picked up my degree last year. / I got my diploma last year. / I finished my degree last year.
I am taking notes.	I'm noting things down. / I'm writing it all down.
I need to review my notes.	I need to brush up on my notes. / I've got to run through my notes. / I need to go through my notes.
The lesson was interesting.	The lesson was a real eye-opener. / The lesson was awesome. / I was hooked by the lesson.
The lesson was boring.	The lesson was a snooze-fest. / The lesson was dry as dust. / The lesson bored me stiff.
I asked a question in class.	I threw a question out in class. / I asked a question out loud.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I am doing research.	I'm down a research rabbit hole. / I'm deep into research. / I'm digging around for info.
I need extra help.	I need a leg up. / I need someone to show me the ropes. / I need a hand with this.
I improved a lot.	I've made huge strides. / I've levelled up.
I need to catch up.	I've got ground to make up. / I'm playing catch-up. / I'm behind the curve.
I have an assignment due.	I've got a deadline looming. / I've got an assignment hanging over me. / I've got a due date coming up.
I am preparing a presentation.	I'm pulling a presentation together. / I'm putting the finishing touches on a presentation. / I'm building a slide deck.
I made a lot of progress.	I've come on leaps and bounds. / I've made huge strides. / I've levelled up.
I got into a good school.	I landed a spot at a great school. / I got into a top school. / I made the cut at a good school.
I want to study abroad.	I'm dying to study abroad. / I want to study and see the world at the same time. / I've got my heart set on studying overseas.
I need to memorize this.	I've got to cram this in. / I need to burn this into my brain.

1 / 3

Sports & Leisure

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I like playing sports.	I'm a sports nut. / I'm sports mad. / I live for sports.
I am watching a game.	I'm glued to the game. / I'm tuned in to the game. / I'm watching the match.
My team won.	My team crushed it. / My team smashed it. / My team got the W.
My team lost.	My team got hammered. / My team got thrashed. / My team took an L.
I go to the gym.	I pump some iron. / I head to the gym.
I need to get in shape.	I need to whip myself into shape. / I've got to get in shape. / I've got to get myself in fighting shape.
I am good at football.	I'm a natural at football. / I've got real football skills. / I'm a bit of a star at football.
I am bad at swimming.	I sink like a stone. / I'm useless in the water. / I'm hopeless at swimming.
Let's play a game.	Let's have a go. / Let's play. / Game on.
I hurt myself playing sports.	I did myself an injury. / I got hurt out there. / I pulled something.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I enjoy hiking.	I'm a hiking fanatic. / I love hitting the trails. / I'm a trail junkie.
I like to relax on weekends.	I like to veg out at the weekend. / Weekends are for kicking back.
I am a big fan.	I'm a superfan. / I'm obsessed. / I'm a fanatic.
The match was exciting.	The match was on a knife edge. / The match was electric. / What a game!
The match was boring.	The match was a bore-fest. / The match was a yawn. / It was a dud of a match.
I want to try a new sport.	I'm up for trying something different. / I'm keen to try something new. / Let's mix it up with a new sport.
I train every day.	I train like a machine. / I grind every day. / I'm at it day in, day out.
I am tired after training.	I'm dead after training. / I'm knackered after training. / I'm running on empty after training.
I like outdoor activities.	I live for the great outdoors. / I'm an outdoor junkie. / I'm happiest in the fresh air.
I am watching a movie.	I'm sitting down to a movie. / I'm having a movie night.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I like board games.	I'm a board game nerd. / I'm hooked on board games. / I'm a board game addict.
I want to travel more.	I'm itching to travel. / I've got wanderlust.
We are going camping.	We're roughing it. / We're sleeping under the stars. / We're pitching a tent this weekend.
I love music festivals.	Music festivals are my jam. / I'm all about music festivals. / I'm a festival junkie.
I like painting as a hobby.	I dabble in painting. / Painting's my happy place. / I paint as a hobby.
I am learning to dance.	I'm picking up some dance moves. / I'm learning to bust a move. / I'm getting my groove on.
I like to read for fun.	I'm a bookworm. / I always have my nose in a book. / I'm a total bookworm.
We had a great time.	We had a ball. / A good time was had by all.
I want to join a sports club.	I'm looking to sign up for a club. / I want to sign up with a sports club. / I'm thinking of getting involved in a club.
I am practicing a new skill.	I'm getting the hang of a new skill. / I'm sharpening a new skill. / I'm working on my chops.

1 / 3

Debates & Disagreements

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I don't agree with you.	I beg to differ. / I'm not on board with that. / I'm not on the same page.
Let's not argue.	Let's not go there. / Let's not start. / Let's not do this.
You are wrong.	You're way off base. / You're barking up the wrong tree. / You couldn't be more wrong.
I have a different opinion.	I've got a different take. / I'm coming from a different angle.
Let's compromise.	Let's split the difference. / Give a little, get a little.
I don't want to fight.	I don't want any drama. / I'm not up for a fight.
We disagree on this.	We're poles apart on this. / We're on opposite sides. / We're miles apart on this.
That's not fair.	That's a bit rich. / That's not cricket. / That's a low blow.
I understand your point.	I hear what you're saying. / I get where you're coming from. / Fair enough.
I still disagree.	I'm still not sold. / I remain unconvinced.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
Let's agree to disagree.	Let's call it a draw. / Let's park it. / Let's leave it there.
You have a point.	You've got me there. / Touché. / Good point.
I take back what I said.	I'm eating my words. / Scratch that. / I retract that.
Let's settle this.	Let's bury the hatchet. / Let's clear the slate. / Let's kiss and make up.
We had a disagreement.	We had a blazing row. / We had a bit of a spat. / We had a tiff.
I stand by what I said.	I stand by it. / I'm not budging.
Calm down.	Chill out. / Take a chill pill. / Deep breaths.
You are overreacting.	You're being dramatic. / You're making a big deal out of it. / You're going overboard.
Let's talk it out.	Let's get it all out in the open. / Let's thrash it out.
I don't want to talk about it anymore.	I'm done with this conversation. / Drop it. / Let's drop it there.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
We need to find common ground.	We need to find middle ground. / We need to get on the same page. / We need to find a point we both agree on.
That's a fair point.	Fair play. / That's fair enough. / I'll give you that.
I misunderstood you.	I got the wrong idea. / I got my wires crossed. / I read you wrong.
Let's not blame each other.	Let's not pass the buck. / Let's not throw each other under the bus. / Let's not start pointing fingers.
I want to clear the air.	Let's air it out. / Let's put the cards on the table. / Let's lay it all out.
That's a valid concern.	You've got reason to worry. / That's a real cause for concern. / That's a genuine worry.
I regret what I said.	I put my foot in my mouth. / I could kick myself for saying that. / I'd take it back if I could.
Let's move on from this.	Let's turn the page. / Let's let bygones be bygones. / Water under the bridge.
I respect your opinion.	Fair enough. / I hear you. / I respect your right to see it that way.
This isn't worth arguing about.	It's not worth losing sleep over. / It's not worth the hassle. / It's a storm in a teacup.

1 / 3

Emergencies & Health

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
Call an ambulance.	Get an ambulance, quick! / Dial 911! / Ring 999!
I need a doctor.	I need a doctor, now. / Get me a doctor. / I need to see somebody.
It is an emergency.	It's serious! / It's urgent! / It's an emergency, please hurry.
I feel dizzy.	The room's spinning. / I feel woozy. / I'm seeing stars.
I can't breathe well.	I'm gasping for air. / I can't get enough air. / I can hardly breathe.
I am bleeding.	I'm bleeding heavily. / I'm bleeding out. / I'm losing a lot of blood.
I broke my arm.	I've snapped my arm. / My arm's busted. / I think my arm's snapped.
I need medicine.	I need some meds. / I need to get my meds. / I need something for the pain.
I have a fever.	I'm burning up with fever. / I've got a raging fever.
I feel faint.	I'm going to pass out. / I feel like I'm going to keel over. / I'm seeing spots.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
Where is the hospital?	Where's the ER? / Where's the closest hospital? / How far is the hospital?
I need first aid.	Somebody, I need first aid! / I need patching up. / I need someone to patch me up.
Someone fainted.	Somebody's out cold. / Someone keeled over.
I am allergic to this.	I'm having an allergic reaction. / My allergy's kicking in. / I'm coming out in hives.
Get help immediately.	We need help, fast! / Go get help, quick! / Quick, get someone!
I took my medicine.	I've had my meds. / I popped my pills. / I took my meds.
I need stitches.	I need to get stitched up. / I need it sewn up. / It needs a few stitches.
I sprained my ankle.	I've badly twisted my ankle. / My ankle's ballooned.
I am having a panic attack.	I'm having a full-blown panic attack. / I'm in the grip of a panic attack.
The wound is infected.	The wound's badly infected. / It's all red and angry. / The wound looks infected.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I need to see a specialist.	I need to see someone who knows this. / I've got to see a specialist.
My blood pressure is high.	My blood pressure's sky-high. / My BP's off the charts. / My blood pressure's spiking.
I fainted for a moment.	I passed out for a sec. / I went out like a light. / I blanked out for a moment.
I need to go to the ER.	I need to hit the ER. / I've got to get seen now. / It's off to the ER for me.
He is unconscious.	He's out like a light. / He's knocked out.
I need to disinfect this cut.	I need to clean this up. / I need to sterilize this. / I need to clean this out properly.
I twisted my back.	I threw my back out. / I've done my back in. / My back has gone.
Call for help.	Help! / Someone, help! / Anybody!
I am recovering well.	I'm bouncing back. / I'm back on my feet. / I'm well on the road to recovery.
I need to take it easy.	I need to put my feet up. / I need to take a few days off. / I've got to ease off.

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Meetings & Office Work

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
Let's start the meeting.	Let's get the ball rolling. / Let's dive in. / Let's get this show on the road.
I have a deadline.	I'm against the clock. / I'm under the gun.
I finished the report.	I've got the report done and dusted. / I've knocked out the report. / I've ticked the report off my list.
I need to send an email.	I've got to drop an email. / I need to shoot someone a message. / I've got to ping someone a message.
Let's schedule a call.	Let's hop on a call. / Let's jump on a call. / Let's have a quick call.
I am in a meeting.	I'm locked in a meeting. / I'm buried in a meeting. / I'm pinned down in a meeting.
Can we reschedule the meeting?	Can we shuffle things around? / Can we push it?
I need to talk to my boss.	I need face time with my boss. / I need to catch my boss. / I need to have a word with the boss.
I got a promotion.	I got bumped up a level. / I climbed the ladder. / I got a bump in title.
I have too much work.	I'm drowning in work. / I'm up to my neck in work. / My plate's overflowing.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
Let's brainstorm ideas.	Let's brainstorm. / Let's spitball some ideas.
I disagree with the plan.	I'm not on board with the plan. / I've got issues with the plan. / I'm not feeling the plan.
Let's take a break.	Let's break for a bit. / Let's take a breather. / Let's step out for a moment.
The presentation went well.	The presentation was a hit. / We nailed the presentation. / The presentation went off without a hitch.
I need to prepare for the meeting.	I've got to get my ducks in a row. / I need to do my homework for the meeting.
Let's follow up on this.	Let's touch base on this. / Let's loop back to this. / Let's revisit this later.
I am working overtime.	I'm burning the candle at both ends. / I'm working round the clock. / I'm putting in the extra hours.
I need approval for this.	I need the go-ahead. / I need the thumbs up. / I need someone to sign off.
Let's finalize the details.	Let's dot the i's and cross the t's. / Let's lock it in.
I am on a business trip.	I'm on the road for work. / I'm on a work trip. / I'm out of town for work.

A2 (Basic)	C2 (Most Nuanced)
I need to delegate this task.	I need to palm this off on someone. / I've got to offload this. / I've got to delegate this.
The project is behind schedule.	The project's gone off the rails. / The project's dragging.
I need feedback on this.	I'd love your two cents. / I need fresh eyes on this. / I'm looking for your input.
Let's set clear goals.	Let's set some clear goals. / Let's set some ambitious goals. / Let's decide what we're going for.
I need to catch up on emails.	I need to dig myself out of my inbox. / I'm drowning in emails. / I need to tackle my inbox.
We hit our target.	We nailed it. / We crushed our target.
We missed the target.	We came in under target. / We didn't hit the numbers.
Let's wrap up the meeting.	Let's call it a day. / Let's wrap it up. / That's a wrap.
I need to submit this report.	I've got to get this report in. / I've got to get this over the line.
I appreciate your effort.	Kudos to you. / You've really gone the extra mile. / Hats off to you.

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Sound More Natural: A2 → C2 Upgrades

Everyday Phrases by Category

Opinions & Beliefs

Wishes & Preferences

Social Life & Work

Emotions & Health

Daily Actions

Problems & Solutions

Communication & Questions

Travel & Getting Around

Shopping & Money

Time & Plans

Weather & Nature

Food & Dining

Family & Relationships

Technology & Internet

Home & Housing

Studies & Education

Sports & Leisure

Debates & Disagreements

Emergencies & Health

Meetings & Office Work