SPEAKING, B2- C2 PART 2
Criticising mistakes
That wasn't very clever.
What were you thinking of?
I bet you wish you hadn't done that.
Why on Earth did you go and do that?
You made a right mess of that.
I wouldn't do that again (in a hurry)
Oops
What a total disaster
You put your foot in it (there)
That was a bit uncalled for.
Delaying Answering
Well, you see...
Now, let me see.
Just a moment / Just a second
Hang on a moment / second / mo / sec
How shall I put it?
What's the word for it..
Now, let me think...
Let me get this right...
It's on the tip of my tongue..
(Now) that's an interesting question...
Disagreeing with a prediction
As if!
In your dreams!
You wish!
No chance!
Not a chance!
Not likely!
Dream on!
Never in a million years!
You'll be lucky!
Yes, and pigs might fly!
Disappointment
What a pity / shame!
How disappointing!
That's too bad.
What a bummer!
What a let-down!
That's (just) so disappointing!
I was so looking forward to..
We had high hopes for...
It did not live up to expectation.
What we had been led to expect was..
Disapproving of an action
I don't think much of that.
How appalling / dreadful!
I'm utterly appalled / disgusted.
I'm dead against people doing...
It shouldn't be allowed!
What a rotten / mean thing to do
I take a very dim view of people doing.
Who do they think they are?
How can people do things like that?
Whatever next?
Dislikes – advanced
I'm not too keen on English food.
I'm not a big a fan of English food.
I can't work up any enthusiasm for it.
I'm not particularly fond of English food.
I can't stand it / I really hate it.
English food: I can take it or leave it.
English food leaves me cold.
I can't see what all the fuss is about.
I'm afraid it doesn't appeal to me.
I would rather cut off my right arm than..
Encouraging
You're coming along well
Keep up the good work
That's a good effort
That's a real improvement
You're on the right lines
Keep going
Come on, you can do
Give it your best shot
What have you got to lose?
If at first you don't succeed...
Euphemisms
He's light-fingered
She's been doing time
She passed away / kicked the bucket
No longer with us / pushing up daisies
Public conveniences
I'm just going to powder my nose
Down and out / A down-and-out
She's in the family way
She had a baby
He made an honest woman of her
Excuses for being late
Sorry - I didn't hear the alarm clock.
The alarm didn't go off.
I slept right through the alarm.
I had to wait ages for a bus.
The bus was late.
The traffic was terrible.
I couldn't find a parking space.
The roads were chockablock.
I got lost coming here.
It's not an easy place to find.
Expressions With 'One'
One of these days...
That's one way of putting it.
It's one thing to say it...
One by one...
I'm not one to complain, but...
He's got a one-track mind.
A one-off payment
A one-hit wonder
The one and only (David Beckham)!
He's a right one!
Expressions with repeated words
Tut tut
Now now
Knock knock
Chop chop
Hear hear
Aye aye
There there
So-so
Fifty-fifty
Well well
Facial expressions
She had a broad smile on her face.
He was wearing a frown.
She gave a grimace. She winced.
She gave me a dirty look
He looked down his nose at her.
She raised her eyebrows when she saw me.
The children were beaming from ear to ear.
Why the long face?
He was purple with rage.
If looks could kill..
Forgetting things
(I'm afraid) I
can't remember.
I've completely forgotten.
My mind's gone blank
(Sorry) I have no memory of...
(I'm afraid) it doesn't ring a bell.
I have no recollection of...
Sorry, I forgot.
I simply forgot to do it.
What was I thinking of?
Oh no, it completely slipped my mind.
Generalizing
Ninety percent of the time...
Nine times out of ten...
More often than not...
Usually...
As a rule (of thumb)...
What normally happens is...
In general...
Generally speaking...
On the whole...
By and large...
Get - short phrases
Get ready
Get out / get out of here
Get lost
Get going
Get a move on / Get moving
Get a life
Get well soon
Get real
Get out of my / the way
Get stuffed
Giving a choice
You choose.
It's up to you.
(You can) do what / as you like.
Do as you please.
The choice is yours.
Make up your own mind.
It's fine by me if you want to...
It's no skin off my nose.
It's your decision.
Don't mind me.
Giving an opinion
I reckon...
I'd say...
Personally, I think...
What I reckon is...
If you ask me...
The way I see it...
As far as I'm concerned...
If you don't mind me saying...
I'm utterly convinced that...
In my humble opinion...
Giving your opinion
In my opinion, this one would be better.
To my mind this one's better.
If you ask me, this one's better.
To my way of thinking, this one's fine.
In my view, this one is best.
Know what I think? That one's best.
I'd say that one's better.
What I think is that one's better.
For me, that one's better.
I tell you what I think, that one's best.
Graphs - Rise and fall
A sharp increase
A steep drop
A massive reduction
A gradual rise
A slight decline
A peak
A slow-down
A spike
A steady recovery
Fluctuations
Habits
I spend a lot of time...
I (often) tend to...
You'll always find me...
___ is a big part of my life.
I always make a point of...
Whenever I get the chance, I...
I have a habit of..
I can't (seem to) stop...
I'm always...
I can't help...
Improbability
I don't expect they'll win.
It's (quite) unlikely they'll win.
They are not very likely to win.
I shouldn't think they'll win.
There's not much hope / chance.
I'd be (very) surprised if they won.
I wouldn't bet on them winning.
There's no chance of them winning.
There's little likelihood of them winning.
It'll never happen in a month of Sundays.
Kinds of Shops
Greengrocer's
Butcher's
Baker's
Chemist's
Stationer's / Stationery shop
Ironmonger's / Hardware shop
Florist's
Newsagent's
Off Licence
Corner shop
Likes – advanced
I'm a big fan of Indian food.
I'm (absolutely) crazy about it.
I'm quite partial to spicy things.
I'm really into it (in a big way).
You can't beat a good (Indian meal).
Give me Thai food any day.
I'm particularly fond of hot curries.
There's nothing I like more than...
Thai food is what I live for.
What I wouldn't give for a Thai curry!
Making small talk
You must be Susan's husband.
How's your wife / friend?
Nice weather, isn't it?
What's new?
I haven't seen you for ages.
What have you been up to?
Are you still working for the same firm?
Have you heard from Jenny recently?
What a coincidence!
Fancy meeting you here!
Making suggestions
Why don't we go to the cinema?
Let's go to the cinema. What do you think?
How about going to the cinema?
How do you feel about seeing a film?
Fancy seeing a film?
I'd like to see a film. How about you?
We could always see a film.
Why not go and see a film?
Seeing a film's one idea.
It would be nice to see a film.
Noises With Adjectives
A deafening roar
A high-pitched scream
A terrible din
A piercing shriek
A fading echo
A muffled reply
A booming voice
A creaking door
A low murmur
A bloody racket
