Native English Expressions | Ep.21

Do you feel lost when listening to native speakers? It’s likely because textbook English isn’t enough. Welcome to Native Expressions Ep.21.

Real conversations are full of idioms, phrasal verbs, and cultural nuances. This series curates authentic expressions directly from podcasts and YouTube videos to help you sound more natural and confident.

📺 Watch the full original video (CC License): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcOM3H06KI4

Native Expressions Ep.21 | 1 – 10

head to toe

covering the entire body from top to bottom
He was covered in mud from head to toe after he tried to save a ball from the garden pond.

get started

to begin doing something
You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to get started to be great.

go ahead

to proceed or start doing something right away
Please go ahead and use my umbrella; I don’t mind getting a little wet in the rain.

move forward

to progress or continue with a plan or process
When life gets difficult, the best thing you can do is keep a positive mind and move forward.

find one’s way

to discover the correct direction to reach a place
It might take some time, but you will surely find your way to a career that makes you truly happy.

not at all

a strong and polite way to say ‘no’ or ‘none’
“Do you mind if I borrow your pen?” “No, not at all! Please go ahead and use it.”

close by

at a short distance; very near
True inspiration is often found close by, if you only take a moment to look at the beauty in your own backyard.

make it easier

to cause something to be less difficult or stressful
Sharing your heavy burdens with a friend can make it easier for you to find a solution.

anything like that

things of a similar kind
You don’t need fancy clothes or anything like that to be a person who truly shines from within.

quite interesting

unusual or surprising; often used for something slightly strange
He has a quite interesting talent for balancing a spoon on his nose while he eats dinner.

Native Expressions Ep.21 | 11 – 20

alrighty

a casual and friendly way to say “okay” or “alright”
Alrighty, let’s get this project finished so we can finally go out for some ice cream!

start with

to begin a process with a specific action or thing
To build a happy life, you should start with a small act of kindness every single day.

appear to be

to seem like something based on how it looks
The cat appears to be sleeping, but it is actually waiting for you to look away so it can steal your sandwich.

be concerned about

to feel worried or anxious about a certain problem
Life is too short to be concerned about what people who don’t even know you think about you.

the rest of

the part of something that remains or is left over
If you give your best effort in the morning, you can spend the rest of the day with a peaceful heart.

bruising

dark marks on the skin that appear after an injury or a fall
He had some bruising on his shins after the soccer match, but he was happy because his team won.

sores

painful or red spots on the body, often caused by rubbing or infection
New shoes can sometimes cause painful sores on your heels if you walk in them for too long.

move on to

to start doing or talking about something new
Once you find peace in the present, you can move on to creating a bright future.

vital signs

measurements of basic body functions, like heart rate, that show a person is healthy
A warm smile and a helping hand are the best vital signs of a kind heart.

have a seat

a polite and common way to invite someone to sit down
Please have a seat and relax; the robot vacuum will take care of the floor for you.

Native Expressions Ep.21 | 21 – 22

scoot

to move a short distance while sitting or to slide an object slightly
Could you scoot over just a little bit so my very small dog can sit on the sofa too?

pulse

the regular beat of the heart that can be felt in the wrist or neck
Taking a few deep breaths is a great way to slow your pulse when you are feeling a bit nervous.