English Expressions and Slang

English Expressions and Slang 

 Sections 1

A stone's throw away

"to be a stone's throw away" / "to be only/just a stone's throw away"

Meaning: to be very close; not far

Similar Expressions

• Our destination is a stone's throw away.
• Our destination is very close.
• Our destination is near.
• Our destination is a hop, skip, and jump away.

When do we use it?

This is just a fun and different way to say that a place is near. We can only use this expression for places. We cannot use it with times or dates.

Basically, this expression means that a place is so close that we could throw a stone there.

How do we use it?

We always use this expression after a "be verb". The subject of the sentence is the place or location.

• The store is a stone's throw away.

We can add "from..." after this expression to show that the place or location is close to. And we often add the words "only" or "just" to emphasize.

• My house is only a stone's throw away from my son's school.
• The hotel is just a stone's throw away from the beach.
• My office is stone's throw away from my apartment.

Example English Conversations

A) How far is it from here?
B) It is just a stone's throw away.

A) How much longer until we get to the hotel?
B) Don't worry. It is only a stone's throw away from here. We will be there soon.
A) Great. I'm getting tired of being in this car.

The more English idioms and expressions that you know, the easier it will be for you to have conversation in English. If you study these free English lessons about commonly used English expressions and idioms consistently, then over time, you will build a solid English vocabulary that will help you speak English fluently.

A walk in the park

"to be a walk in the park"

Meaning: to be very easy and simple to do

Similar Expressions

• The test was a walk in the park.
• The test was a piece of cake.
• The test was easy.
• The test wasn't hard.

When do we use it?

Taking a walk in the park is simple and easy to do. So, this expression is just a different way to say that something is easy and simple to do.

How do we use it?

We use this expression after a "be verb".

• The English speaking test was a walk in the park.
• I think the test will be a walk in the park.
• I think this task will be a walk in the park for you.
• He has a lot of experience, so it should be a walk in the park for him.

Example English Conversations

A) Is it hard to make furniture?
B) It is hard for some people, but since you have a lot of experience building things, it should be a walk in the park for you.

A) How your boxing match?
B) It was a walk in the park. I won easily.
A) Congratulations. That is amazing.

A) Do you think the test will be hard?
B) I think it will be a walk in the park for you, but I think it will be difficult for me because I hardly studied at all.

A) How hard is this puzzle?
B) It is not hard. It's a walk in the park.

It is important that you know English expressions and idioms if you want to have fluent English conversations with native English speakers or other advanced English speakers. Do not try to learn many expressions and idioms at one time. Instead, study a few of these free English lessons each week and learn the expression or word well. This will help your English vocabulary improve steadily, and you will start speaking English like a native speaker.

Be all set

"to be all set" / "to be set"

Meaning: to be ready or prepared to start, do, or complete something

Similar Expressions

• We are all set to begin.
• We are set to begin.
• We are ready to begin.
• We are all ready to begin.
• We are prepared to begin.

When do we use it?

We simply use this phrase to show that we are ready or prepared or that something is ready or prepared.

• We are all to set to start the meeting.
• Dinner is all set. Let's eat.

How do we use it?

We can use the simple phrase "be set" or we can add the word "all" to emphasize.

• We are set to go.
• We are all set to go.

After this phrase we can use "to + verb" or "for + noun".

• I am all set to give my presentation.
• I am all set for my presentation.

We cannot use this phrase in any continuous verb tense.

• I am setting to go.

Example English Conversation

A) Have you fixed my phone?
B) Yes, it is all set. Here you are.
A) Thank you so much.

The more English idioms and expressions that you know, the easier it will be for you to have conversation in English. If you study these free English lessons about commonly used English expressions and idioms consistently, then over time you will build a solid English vocabulary that will help you speak English fluently.