Direct link to YouTube video: https://youtu.be/I1jM9awbtVs

Explanations + Extra Practice Activities

💬 12 Common English Expressions (Easy English)

🎯 It’s worth a shot.

✅ Meaning

It’s a good idea to try because you might succeed.

💡 Examples

We probably won’t get free tickets, but let’s ask. It’s worth a shot.
The company isn’t hiring, but you can still send your résumé. It’s worth a shot.
I don’t know if she’ll say yes, but ask her out. It’s worth a shot.

💭 I’m just saying.

✅ Meaning

I’m only giving my opinion. I’m not trying to argue or upset you.

💡 Examples

A: Why are you criticizing my cooking?
B: I’m just saying.
A: You don’t have to tell me how to spend my money.
B: I’m just saying.
A: Stop acting like you know everything!
B: I’m just saying.

🍀 Don’t push your luck.

✅ Meaning

Don’t ask for more after you’ve already been lucky.

💡 Examples

A: My boss gave me Friday off. I think I’ll ask for Monday off too.
B: Don’t push your luck.
A: The police only gave me a warning.
B: Don’t push your luck.
A: My parents let me stay out until midnight. I’ll ask if I can stay out until two.
B: Don’t push your luck.

🤨 I’m not buying it.

✅ Meaning

I don’t believe what you’re saying.

💡 Examples

You said the dog ate your homework? I’m not buying it.
He says he forgot his wallet again. I’m not buying it.
She says she didn’t see the huge sign. I’m not buying it.

🧠 It slipped my mind.

✅ Meaning

I forgot about it.

💡 Examples

I’m sorry I didn’t call you. It slipped my mind.
I forgot to pay the bill. It slipped my mind.
I was going to buy milk, but it slipped my mind.

🎉 You nailed it.

✅ Meaning

You did it perfectly.

💡 Examples

You answered every question correctly. You nailed it!
Your presentation was excellent. You nailed it!
That’s exactly the right answer. You nailed it!

⚖️ I’m on the fence.

✅ Meaning

I can’t decide.

💡 Examples

One job pays more, but the other is closer to home. I’m on the fence.
Both phones look great. I’m on the fence.
I can’t decide which university to choose. I’m on the fence.

💔 I hate to break it to you.

✅ Meaning

I’m sorry, but I have some bad news.

💡 Examples

I hate to break it to you, but the concert has been canceled.
I hate to break it to you, but you didn’t pass the exam.
I hate to break it to you, but we missed the last train.

👍 I couldn’t agree more.

✅ Meaning

I completely agree with you.

💡 Examples

A: Exercise is the best way to stay healthy.
B: I couldn’t agree more.
A: Honesty is always the best policy.
B: I couldn’t agree more.
A: We should leave early to avoid traffic.
B: I couldn’t agree more.

🤔 I’m not following you.

✅ Meaning

I don’t understand what you’re saying.

💡 Examples

I’m not following you. Can you explain it another way?
Sorry, I’m not following you.
I’m not following you. Can you give me an example?

📢 Keep me posted.

✅ Meaning

Keep telling me what’s happening.

💡 Examples

A: I have a job interview tomorrow.
B: Good luck! Keep me posted.
A: My dad is having surgery this morning.
B: Please keep me posted.
A: We’re waiting to hear if our offer on the house is accepted.
B: Keep me posted.

🪵 Knock on wood.

✅ Meaning

People say this after talking about something good because they hope it stays that way.

💡 Examples

I’ve never broken a bone, knock on wood.
My car has never broken down, knock on wood.
We’ve had beautiful weather all week, knock on wood.

⭐ Quick Review

💬 Expression	✅ Easy Meaning
🎯 It’s worth a shot.	It’s a good idea to try.
💭 I’m just saying.	I’m only giving my opinion.
🍀 Don’t push your luck.	Don’t ask for more after you’ve already been lucky.
🤨 I’m not buying it.	I don’t believe what you’re saying.
🧠 It slipped my mind.	I forgot about it.
🎉 You nailed it.	You did it perfectly.
⚖️ I’m on the fence.	I can’t decide.
💔 I hate to break it to you.	I’m sorry, but I have some bad news.
👍 I couldn’t agree more.	I completely agree with you.
🤔 I’m not following you.	I don’t understand what you’re saying.
📢 Keep me posted.	Keep telling me what’s happening.
🪵 Knock on wood.	I hope things stay this way.

Extra Practice Activities

📝 Quiz: 12 Common English Expressions

Choose the best expression to complete each sentence.

Expressions

🎯 It’s worth a shot.
💭 I’m just saying.
🍀 Don’t push your luck.
🤨 I’m not buying it.
🧠 It slipped my mind.
🎉 You nailed it.
⚖️ I’m on the fence.
💔 I hate to break it to you.
👍 I couldn’t agree more.
🤔 I’m not following you.
📢 Keep me posted.
🪵 Knock on wood.

1.

A: The restaurant is fully booked tonight, but maybe someone will cancel.
B: ____________________. Let’s call and ask.

✅ Answer: It’s worth a shot.

2.

A: Why didn’t you bring the report to the meeting?
B: I’m sorry. ____________________.

✅ Answer: It slipped my mind.

3.

A: Are you going to buy the new phone?
B: I like it, but I can’t decide yet. ____________________.

✅ Answer: I’m on the fence.

4.

A: I was late because there was a traffic jam.
B: But you only live five minutes away. ____________________.

✅ Answer: I’m not buying it.

5.

A: I don’t think I’ll get the promotion because many people applied.
B: You should still apply. ____________________.

✅ Answer: It’s worth a shot.

6.

A: Your pronunciation sounds exactly like a native speaker now!
B: Thanks!

✅ Answer: You nailed it.

7.

A: Why are you criticizing my decision?
B: ____________________.

✅ Answer: I’m just saying.

8.

A: I have a job interview tomorrow.
B: Good luck! ____________________.

✅ Answer: Keep me posted.

9.

A: We should spend more time listening to our customers.
B: ____________________. Understanding them is very important.

✅ Answer: I couldn’t agree more.

10.

A: The store accidentally gave me two items instead of one. I think I’ll keep both.
B: ____________________. You already got one for free.

✅ Answer: Don’t push your luck.

11.

A: First, we change this number, then we move this part, and finally we calculate the result.
B: Sorry, ____________________. Can you explain it again?

✅ Answer: I’m not following you.

12.

A: ____________________, but your flight has been delayed until tomorrow.

✅ Answer: I hate to break it to you.

⭐ Challenge Quiz

Choose the correct answer.

13.

Your friend says he forgot his wallet for the third time.

A) You nailed it.
B) I’m not buying it.
C) It’s worth a shot.

✅ Answer: B) I’m not buying it.

14.

A: You created that website all by yourself? It looks professional.
B: Thanks!

A) You nailed it.
B) Don’t push your luck.
C) I’m on the fence.

✅ Answer: A) You nailed it.

15.

You cannot decide between two jobs.

A) Keep me posted.
B) I’m on the fence.
C) I’m just saying.

✅ Answer: B) I’m on the fence.

16.

Your friend tells you they are waiting for important medical test results.

A) Keep me posted.
B) You nailed it.
C) It’s worth a shot.

✅ Answer: A) Keep me posted.

17.

You want to tell someone you completely agree.

A) I hate to break it to you.
B) I’m not following you.
C) I couldn’t agree more.

✅ Answer: C) I couldn’t agree more.

18.

A: My new job is going really well. I haven’t had any problems so far.
B: That’s great. ____________________.

A) Knock on wood.
B) I’m just saying.
C) It slipped my mind.

✅ Answer: A) Knock on wood.

📝 Quiz: Match the Situation

Match the expression with the situation.

Expressions

A. 🎯 It’s worth a shot.
B. 💭 I’m just saying.
C. 🍀 Don’t push your luck.
D. 🤨 I’m not buying it.
E. 🧠 It slipped my mind.
F. 🎉 You nailed it.
G. ⚖️ I’m on the fence.
H. 💔 I hate to break it to you.
I. 👍 I couldn’t agree more.
J. 🤔 I’m not following you.
K. 📢 Keep me posted.
L. 🪵 Knock on wood.

Situations

You forgot to send an important email.
→ _______
You think someone’s excuse is not true.
→ _______
You completely agree with someone’s opinion.
→ _______
You cannot decide between two choices.
→ _______
Someone did an excellent job.
→ _______
You want someone to give you updates about a situation.
→ _______
You want to tell someone bad news.
→ _______
You hope your good luck continues.
→ _______
You think someone should try something even if it might fail.
→ _______
You don’t understand someone’s explanation.
→ _______
You give your opinion but don’t want to argue.
→ _______
Someone has already been lucky and wants to ask for more.
→ _______

Answers:

📝 Quiz: Does it makes sense or not?

Is the expression used correctly? YES or NO?

1.

“I forgot to reply to your email yesterday. It slipped my mind.”

✅ YES
❌ NO

Answer: YES
Explanation: “It slipped my mind” means “I forgot about it.”

2.

“I can’t decide whether to buy the black car or the white car. I’m on the fence.”

✅ YES
❌ NO

Answer: YES
Explanation: “I’m on the fence” means “I can’t decide.”

3.

“My friend explained the new computer system, but I’m not following you.”

✅ YES
❌ NO

Answer: NO
Explanation: “I’m not following you” is said directly to the person explaining something. It should be: “I’m not following you. Can you explain it again?”

4.

“The teacher said my answer was exactly correct. I nailed it.”

✅ YES
❌ NO

Answer: NO
Explanation: “You nailed it” is usually said to another person. You can say “I nailed it” when talking about yourself, but in this context the teacher would say: “You nailed it.”

5.

“I already got a free dessert from the restaurant. Asking for another free dessert might be pushing my luck.”

✅ YES
❌ NO

Answer: YES
Explanation: “Push your luck” means asking for more after already being lucky.

6.

“My friend said he was sick, but he posted pictures from the beach. I’m not buying it.”

✅ YES
❌ NO

Answer: YES
Explanation: “I’m not buying it” means “I don’t believe it.”

7.

“I hope my car keeps running well. I’ve never had any problems with it, knock on wood.”

✅ YES
❌ NO

Answer: YES
Explanation: “Knock on wood” is said after mentioning something good to avoid bad luck.

8.

“I have a job interview next week. My friend said, ‘Keep me posted.'”

✅ YES
❌ NO

Answer: YES
Explanation: “Keep me posted” means “Tell me what happens or give me updates.”

9.

“I don’t agree with your idea. I couldn’t agree more.”

✅ YES
❌ NO

Answer: NO
Explanation: “I couldn’t agree more” means “I completely agree.”

10.

“The restaurant is probably full, but we can call and ask for a table. It’s worth a shot.”

✅ YES
❌ NO

Answer: YES
Explanation: “It’s worth a shot” means “It’s worth trying.”

11.

“I hate to break it to you, but your favorite team lost the game.”

✅ YES
❌ NO

Answer: YES
Explanation: “I hate to break it to you” is used before giving disappointing news.

12.

“My brother thinks I should save more money. I’m just saying.”

✅ YES
❌ NO

Answer: NO
Explanation: “I’m just saying” is usually used after giving your opinion, especially when someone reacts negatively. It doesn’t fit here by itself.