Struggling to follow fast-paced conversations? Learn how to use fixed phrases and transitions to move beyond literal translations and sound more legit.

If you aren’t catching those idioms, you’re basically missing half the conversation. It’s the difference between just knowing words and actually sounding like a natural speaker.
Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco
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Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

Lena: Hey Miles! You know, I was reading something fascinating the other day. It turns out that in casual English, idiomatic expressions show up in about four out of every ten sentences. That’s nearly half of everything being said!
Miles: Right? It’s wild. If you aren’t catching those idioms, you’re basically missing half the conversation. It’s the difference between just knowing words and actually sounding like a natural speaker.
Lena: Exactly! I mean, you can understand every single individual word someone says, but if they tell you they’re "on the fence" and you’re looking for an actual wooden fence, the meaning just doesn't click.
Miles: That’s a classic pitfall. People often try to translate them word-for-word from their own language, but that almost never works. You have to learn them as complete, fixed phrases to really nail it.
Lena: So, today we’re going to help everyone move past those dry dictionary definitions and actually start using these expressions to level up their fluency. Let’s explore how to use these transitions and slangs to sound way more legit in everyday talk.