Useful english expressions: War and conflict

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WAR AND CONFLICT

a loose cannon

a No man’s land

a score to settle

an uphill battle

Arrow in the quiver

At daggers drawn

At gunpoint

Axe to grind

Battle of nerves

Bite the bullet

Bring a knife to a gunfight

Bury the hatchet

Close ranks

Cross swords

Dodge the bullet

Don’t shoot the messenger

Double-edged sword

Drop a bombshell

fight fire with fire

fight tooth and nail

Hang fire / Hold fire

hold your ground

In your sights

Knight in shining armour

Lock and load

Long shot

Off like a shot

Off your guard

on the warpath

Open old wounds

Pull the trigger

Quick on the trigger

To get the final word

To have more than one string to their bow

To jump the gun

To make peace

To pull the trigger

To throw in the sponge

wash your dirty linen in public

 

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Common English phrases: Forgetting things

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FORGETTING THINGS

Can you refresh my memory?

I can’t remember off the top of my head

I have a vague recollection of…

I have no recollection of…

I lost my train of thought.

I simply forgot to do it.

I’ve completely forgotten.

I’m not sure i’m the best person to answer that

it completely slipped my mind.

it doesn’t ring a bell.

it went in one ear and out the other.

it will come to me in a minute

it’s on the tip of my tongue.

My mind went blank

Sorry, I forgot.

What was I thinking of?

(I’m afraid) I can’t remember.

(I’m afraid) it doesn’t ring a bell.

(Sorry) I have no memory of…

 

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Useful English sentences: Guessing things

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GUESSING THINGS

About 6-ish

Around / about 10 o’clock

At a guess, I’d say she’s 24.

Chances are she’s 24.

I’d say she’s 23.

If I had to take a guess, I’d say he’s 25

Knowing (the Brazilians), he likes football.

Off the top of my head, I think she’s 29.

Probably about 26.

We’re talking maybe late twenties.

 

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How to write a cover letter in English

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HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER

Dear Sir or Madam

I would like to apply for the position of…

Although I have no previous experience in…, I have had…

As indicated in your advertisement…

As you can see from my enclosed résumé, my experience and qualifications match this position’s requirements.

As you will see in the enclosed CV, I have a good experience in sales…

Currently I am working for… and my responsibilities include…

I look forward to hearing from you soon. / Yours faithfully,

I am an experienced user of…

I am available for an interview

I am aware of

I am particularly interested in this job, as…

I am sending my resume as an attachment.

I am writing in response to your advertisement posted on…

I am writing to you about your advertisement.

I am writing to you in reference to your advertisement.

I am writing to you to apply for the position of….

I believe it is time for me to move to another company / department … like yours

I believe my qualifications match your requirements

I believe my qualifications would match your requirements.

I have …years experience of working…

I have an excellent command of…

I have worked as a … (/in) ….

I wish to apply for the post of…which you advertised in…on… .

I would define myself as a …..

I’ll do my best to…

In addition to my responsibilities as…, I also developed…skills.

In my current position I have worked … developed… created …

My area of expertise is…

My strengths are…

Please find my résumé / CV attached / enclosed.

Should you be interested in my application…

Should you need further information.

To carry out an internship

To have a sense of responsibility

To speak fluent English

To Whom It May Concern …

Your advertisement in (source) for the position of ( job) sparked my interest.

Yours faithfully,

Kind/Best regards,

 

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English useful phrases: Talking about time and space

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TALKING ABOUT TIME AND SPACE

He’s always on the move.

all over the place

all roads lead to Rome

He vanished into thin air.

He was pacing back and forth

in high places

It’s just a stone throw away.

It’s just on our doorstep.

it’s a small world

Rome was not built in a day

Scatered to the four winds.

the old world

The place was bursting at the seams.

There wasn’t a soul to be seen in the street.

there’s a time and place for everything

To be walking single file.

to come to the right place

To pull up stakes.

To sleep under the stars.

We came the long way around.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do

 

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How to talk about the future in English

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HOW TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE

It’s going to happen (quite / very) soon.

..will happen in our lifetimes

All right, I’ll get on it.

Any second / minute / day now,

Are you doing anything tomorrow?

As soon as I can.

Before long,

Busy tomorrow?

Economic recovery is just around the corner.

Eventually,…

Everything Tom predicted came true.

Go outside first thing in the morning when you wake up

Got any plans for tomorrow?

Have you got anything on tomorrow?

Have you got anything planned for tomorrow

How’s tomorrow looking?

I can’t predict what’ll happen.

I can’t wait until…

I’ll do it later.

I’ll do it right away.

I’ll do my best.

I’m (really / so) looking forward to..

I’m (really) dreading…

I’m counting the days till…

I’m saving up to…

I’m trying to put off… as long as I can

I’ve set my heart on…

In (just) a few minutes..

In (just) a moment / minute..

In the distant future, the sun will disappear.

In the near future…

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

Not long now.

One day, I’m going to have to…

Paul does a pretty good job of forecasting the weather.

Someday people will live on mars.

Sooner or later I’ll get round to…

Sooner or later.

The children are counting the days to Christmas.

The elections are just around the corner.

The first cuts in our budget are a sign of things to come.

This study foreshadows great changes in our system of education.

Time will tell.

Tina’s prediction proved true.

We’re planning to move in the near future.

What are you doing tomorrow?

What results do you anticipate?

What’s happening tomorrow?

What’s on the cards for tomorrow?

What’s your plan for tomorrow?

 

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How to describe a picture in English

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HOW TO DESCRIBE A PICTURE

At the top / At the bottom there is …

Behind / In front of … you can see …

Between … there is …

Both pictures depict ..

During the day, at night, in the evening, in the winter, after school …

From my point of view

He could be …ing

I (don’t) like the picture because …

I can see…

I don´t know the word for it, but…

I don´t know what it is called

I like / I don´t like the picture because….

I think (that)

In both pictures…

In my opinion,

In the foreground/background there is …

In the foreground/background you can see …

In the middle/centre there are …

It can/could/might be a scene of…

It dates from…

It is addressed to …. It aims at + BVing

It is obvious that the artist wants to criticise / express / show …

It makes me think of …

It might be a …

It might be a symbol of …

It represents

It seems as if …

It symbolises…

It was drawn / painted / taken / made by… (+ auteur)

It was published in 2014.

It was taken by/in …

It’s a black-and-white/coloured photo

It’s a kind / a sort of…

It’s an advertisement for…

It’s not very clear but, probably…

It’s used for…

It’s what you do when you…

Maybe / Perhaps…

Maybe it’s a…

On the left/right there are …

The atmosphere is relaxing/peaceful/depressing

The issue raised is …

The lady / The man seems to …

The photo was taken by…

The photo/picture shows a landscape

The picture is composed of two parts.

The problem illustrated here is …

The scene takes place in the street, at school….

There are two main characters

There is / there are…

This document is a painting, a map…

To conclude / as a conclusion….

What I mean…

What I´m trying to say…

 

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English useful phrases: Expressing Disappointment

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EXPRESSING DISAPPOINTMENT

What a shame!

Are you disappointed with me?

But what good will it do?

Disappointment was written in his face.

Her disappointment was visible.

Her hopes were dashed

How disappointing!

I had high hopes for …

I had hoped that I’d be able to meet him.

I thought he could do better.

I was so looking forward to …

I wish that someone had let me know.

I’m disappointed in you, Paul.

I’m disappointed in your decision, but I respect it.

I’d very much hoped that I’d be able to meet him.

I’d very much hoped that I’d get selected this time.

I’m disappointed in him.

I’m sorry to hear that.

I’ve never been so disappointed in my life.

It was an absolute waste of money.

It wasn’t as good as I thought it would be.

It’s a great shame.

It’s a little bit disappointing, isn’t it!

It’s most unfortunate.

It’s very upsetting that this has happened.

Lady Gaga announced her retirement, much to the dismay of her fans.

Oh dear! I’ve spilt the milk.

Oh no, what a letdown!

Oh no, what a shame!

Oh well, never mind.

Oh, damn!

Oh, dear! What fools we were!

Oh, no!

Oh, no! Not again!

Oh, that’s a nuisance!

Paul, now utterly disheartened, abandoned his project altogether.

That stinks.

That’s so disappointing!

That’s too bad.

That’s a great pity.

That’s a pity.

The failure to get the job came as a blow.

Things always go wrong.

Tina’s disappointment was apparent.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t reach there in time.

What we had been led to expect was …

What’s the point of giving a party now?

When I think of it!

You look so sad.

 

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English useful phrases: Traveling by car

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TRAVELING BY CAR

This car is easy to handle.

Be careful, there is a no-entry sign.

Fasten your seat belt.

Follow this road.

Go straight on.

He was fined for speeding.

I have passed my driving test.

I have to fill up the tank.

Make a right turn at the stop sign.

Signal. / Indicate.

Start the engine.

Take the first Cardiff exit.

The traffic is clear.

Turn right / left.

CAR SHARING

Looking for a lift?

Roadtogether.com is a car share website.

Do you have a spare seat in your car?

Save money and petrol!

Why not share travel expenses?

AT THE GARAGE

My car has broken down.

Check the tyres / the battery.

I have got a puncture.

Please check the oil level.

Please check the water level.

Please switch the engine off.

The battery is flat.

The car has run out of petrol / gas.

The engine won’t start.

USEFUL WORDS

Drive off

Get pulled over

Have a near miss

Pull over

Slam the brakes on

Slow down

Speed up

Step on it

 

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Useful expressions used at the Airport ✈️

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AT THE AIRPORT ✈️

When does the next plane for London leave?

Can you confirm the time of arrival?

Can you confirm the time of departure?

Do you have any bags to check?

Everyone has to go through airport security before boarding the plane.

Fasten your seat belts, please.

Flight 800 is now boarding.

Here’s your boarding pass. (boarding pass = the paper that permits you to enter the plane)

How much luggage can I take on board?

If you leave your luggage unattended, it will be confiscated.

Immediate boarding gate 3.

Is the plane due to leave on lime?

Is there a flight to New York this evening?

Only one piece of hand luggage is allowed.

Please make your way to gale 78.

Show your boarding pass.

The 1456 flight from Chicago is on time.

The flight has been delayed.

This is the final call for flight 800.

This is the final call for flight BA476

Tum off your cell phone on the plane.

What airline are you flying with?

What is the purpose of your trip?

Where is the duty-free shop?

Would you like a window seat or an aisle seat? (aisle = corridor)

Your flight has been canceled.

Your flight has been delayed.

Your flight leaves from gate 15.

Your seat number is 8F.

 

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