Hey guys!

Everybody knows the importance of learning some phrasal verbs, idioms and colloquial expressions, especially when you live in a foreign country. We always learn a lot of them by communicating with native speakers or watching movies and series. In this post, you learn some phrasal verbs, idioms and expressions to communicate in a more natural way when speaking English in a foreign country.

* leak out – when secret information become known to the public.

Information about a new model of the popular laptop brand has leaked out.

* off the record – when sth is not official or intended to be made public.

The president is suing the newspaper for publishing several of her off-the-record comments.

* a household name – famous, popular.

Because it has made reliable and affordable household appliances for over a decade, the company has become a household name.

* stir sth up – try to cause arguments or problems.

He’s just attempting to stir up his followers and distract from the scandal.

* cast doubt on sb – make people feel less certain about sth.

Such a significant error really cast doubt on all of the experiment’s results.

* blow over – when people stop talking about sth and soon forget about it.

When you think the tension between the two political parties will blow over?

* the sooner the better – as soon as possible.

The media company is trying to solve the problem, the sooner the better.

* not ring true – when you can’t believe in sth, even though you don’t know why.

The accusations towards the prime minister don’t ring true in my opinion.

* sweep sth under the carpet – try to keep sth a secret, especially sth you have done wrong.

The senator has been accused of trying to sweep his former drug use under the carpet.

 * come to light – become known.

The actress didn’t want that some details of her personal life came to light.

* go too far – upset sb by doing or saying more than you should.

The paparazzi went too far when he invaded the actor’s private mansion to take pictures.

* speak out (against) – state your opinions in public, especially in order to protest against or defend sb.

The politician started speaking out against his opponent before the debate on live TV.

I hope you learned some new phrasal verbs and idioms today, see you next time!

Source: Idioms and Phrasal Verbs – Advanced / Ruth Gairns and Stuart Redman – Oxford