Ever feel like your colleagues speak in riddles? It's true that native-English speakers sometimes talk a mile a minute, but knowing all these communication idioms will help you keep up with them!
Communication Idioms
Here you have a list with the most common idioms about communication. Check it out and put them in practice at work or with a teacher:
| ■ He talks a mile a minute. | - Very quickly. |
| ■ If you ever come to New York, drop me a line. | - Send me a note or a letter. |
| ■ Tell me about it, get it off your chest. | - Say it and feel relieved. |
| ■ "Are you listening to me?" "Yes, I'm all ears. | - I'm paying attention to you. |
| ■ Please keep me In the loop / He said we kept him out of the loop, | - Aware (or unaware) of information known to only a group. |
| ■ I've tried to discuss it with her, but it's like talking to a brick wall. | - The person is not listening or paying attention. |
| ■ It's on the tip of my tongue. | - I can almost remember but not quite. |
| ■ Anyway, long story short, we're moving to Germany. | - To skip boring, unnecessary details. |
| ■ "How much is the house worth?" "Off the top of my head, I'd say around $160,000." | - From memory, without thinking too much. |
| ■ They put me on the spot when they asked me about my other projects. | - They forced me into a difficult situation / asked me a difficult question. |
| ■ Rumors spread like wildfire when people are excited. | - Circulate very quickly. |
| ■ Take everything she says with a pinch of salt, because she tends to exaggerate. | - Be a bit skeptical about it. |
| ■ Stop talking in riddles and tell me what this is about. | - Speak in a convoluted/complicated way. |
| ■ I was just calling to touch base since it's been a few weeks since we last spoke. | - To contact someone for an update. |
| ■ We get most of our work through word-of-mouth recommendations. | - Spread by people talking about it. |
Conversation questions
- Do you know anyone who speaks in riddles?
- What is something you found out through word of mouth?
- From your friends, do you have to take any of them with a pinch of salt?
- What do you do when you have something on the tip of your tongue?
- Have you ever tried to discuss something with someone and it was like talking to a brick wall?
- What do you do if a colleague/customer is talking a mile a minute and you can't understand?
- Off the top of your head, how many employees are there in your company?
- Have you ever felt that you needed to get something off your chest?
- Have any rumors about you ever spread like wildfire?
Exercise
Fill the gaps with the correct word:
- I can't really understand my new colleague. He talks a __ a minute.
- We've tried to make him understand, but it's like talking to a __ wall.
- Sorry I told you this long story, I just needed to get it off my __.
- If you ever need anything, drop me a __.
- Her name? Oh, it's on the __ of my tongue.
- Tell me about your new project, I'm all __.
- We'll keep you in the __ with all the updates.
- Anyway, __ story short, we need to postpone the deadline.
- He's very hard-working, but when it comes to timeline, take him with a __ of salt.
- She explained the whole thing, but to be honest, she was talking in __ and no one fully understood.
- Hi, I was just calling to touch __. How's the new venture going?
- How did you find out about them? Just word of __!
Keep learning English idioms:
Coming up soon...
- Idioms about negotiations and disagreements
- Idioms about challenges
- Idioms about success
Or the best way to improve your communications skills... practicing your English with a native-speaking teacher! Find out more about your English learning options with Talaera.
Talaera is an online platform that provides one-on-one English language training, anytime, anywhere, with 100% personalized lessons, HD video quality, and qualified teachers that will help you achieve your learning goals. Learn more.
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