Small Talk & Social English: English expressions with meanings

Ready-made phrases for greetings, catching up, goodbyes and being polite — the social glue of everyday conversation

80 wordsA2 · 25B1 · 42B2 · 12C1 · 1

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10 words from this collection. Pick the right meaning.

Word	Level	Definition
how's it going	B1	an informal way to ask how someone is
how have you been	B1	asks how someone has been since you last met
long time no see	B1	said when you meet someone you haven't seen for a while
what's up	A2	an informal greeting asking what is happening or how someone is
good to see you	A2	a warm greeting when you meet someone
how are you doing	A2	a friendly way to ask how someone is
what brings you here	B1	asks the reason someone has come to a place
fancy seeing you here	B2	said when you unexpectedly meet someone you know
how's everything	B1	a general way to ask how someone's life is going
nice to finally meet you	B1	said when meeting in person someone you've known of for a while
how's life	B1	an informal way to ask how things are going for someone
you made it	A2	said happily when someone has managed to arrive
look who's here	B1	said with pleasant surprise when someone you know appears
how's the family	A2	a polite way to ask about someone's family
what have you been up to	B1	asks what someone has been doing recently
it's been a while	B1	said when you haven't seen or spoken to someone for some time

Word	Level	Definition
what's new	A2	asks if anything interesting has happened recently
anything new	A2	a short way to ask if there is any news
how did it go	B1	asks about the result of a recent event
how was your weekend	A2	a friendly question about someone's weekend
how are things	A2	a general question about someone's life or situation
keeping busy	B1	a reply meaning you have a lot to do
same old, same old	B1	a reply meaning nothing has changed; the usual routine
can't complain	B1	a reply meaning things are reasonably good
mustn't grumble	C1	a modest reply meaning things are okay, with no real reason to complain
getting by	B1	a reply meaning you are managing, but not more than that
keeping out of trouble	B2	a casual reply meaning nothing bad is happening in your life
up to much	B2	asks if someone has any plans or is doing anything special
how's work	A2	a friendly question about someone's job
so far so good	B1	a reply meaning things are going well up to now
you know how it is	B1	said to suggest the other person understands your situation
not much	A2	a reply meaning nothing special is happening

Word	Level	Definition
I'd better get going	B1	a polite way to say you need to leave
I should get going	B1	a polite way to announce you are about to leave
it was nice catching up	B1	said when leaving after a pleasant chat with someone
I'll let you go	B2	a polite way to end a conversation, freeing the other person
catch you later	B1	an informal way to say goodbye, meaning see you soon
take care	A2	a friendly goodbye wishing someone well
see you around	A2	an informal goodbye meaning you'll meet again sometime
talk to you later	A2	an informal goodbye meaning you'll speak again soon
we should catch up sometime	B1	a friendly suggestion to meet again in the future
let's keep in touch	B1	said when parting, asking to stay in contact
it was good seeing you	A2	a warm thing to say when leaving someone
have a good one	B1	an informal goodbye wishing someone a good day
until next time	B1	a goodbye meaning see you on the next occasion
don't be a stranger	B2	a friendly request to stay in touch and visit again
get home safe	B1	a caring goodbye wishing someone a safe trip home
say hi to ... for me	B1	asks someone to pass your greeting to another person

Word	Level	Definition
after you	B1	a polite way to let someone go first
happy to help	B1	a friendly reply meaning you were glad to assist
any time	B1	a friendly reply to thanks, meaning you're always willing to help
think nothing of it	B2	a polite reply to thanks, meaning it was no trouble
no rush	B1	tells someone there is no need to hurry
whenever you're ready	B1	tells someone to take as much time as they need
it's no trouble	B1	a polite reply meaning something is not inconvenient for you
don't worry about it	A2	tells someone not to feel bad about something
if it's not too much trouble	B2	a polite way to make a request
could you possibly	B1	a very polite way to ask someone to do something
that's very kind of you	B1	a polite way to thank someone for a kind act
it's the least I could do	B2	a modest reply when someone thanks you for help
pardon me	A2	a polite way to say sorry or to get attention
excuse me for a second	A2	a polite way to say you will leave for a short time
sorry to bother you	B1	a polite phrase before interrupting or asking for help
thanks a million	B1	an informal way to say thank you very much

Word	Level	Definition
how about you	A2	turns a question back to the other person
what about yourself	A2	asks the same question back to the other person
you don't say	B2	shows mild surprise or interest in what was said
is that so	B1	shows interest or mild surprise at what someone said
good to know	B1	a reply meaning the information is useful
I see what you mean	B1	shows you understand someone's point
same here	A2	a reply meaning you feel or think the same
likewise	B2	a reply meaning the same is true for you too
no kidding	B1	shows surprise, or agreement that something is obviously true
that's good to hear	A2	a warm reply to good news
sounds good	A2	a reply meaning you agree with a plan or idea
anyway	A2	used to go back to what you were talking about, or to change it
by the way	A2	used to add something new while you are talking
speaking of which	B2	used to move to a topic connected with what was just said
now that you mention it	B2	said when someone's comment reminds you of something
enough about me	B1	used to shift the conversation away from yourself

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