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Social & Small Talk

English Conversation Lesson: 3 Advanced Expressions

Learn natural American English expressions through questions, examples, and a live conversation about plans, explanations, and surprise.

Read the full lesson summary

Vanessa and Dan present three advanced expressions in a conversational lesson: “make a day of it,” “talk someone through something,” and “mind blown.” They explain each phrase through personal stories, learner examples, and situations that show how the meaning changes with context. The expressions are useful because they describe common experiences—spending time on an activity, helping someone understand a process, and reacting with strong amazement.

“Make a day of it” means plan to spend much of the day enjoying an activity or place, often adding related things to do. It does not require an expensive or elaborate event; someone could make a day of hiking, visiting a museum, or even relaxing at home. “Talk someone through something” means explain a process step by step so the person can understand or complete it. You can ask, “Can you talk me through the new plan?” “Mind blown” describes feeling extremely amazed or surprised. It is informal and can be used literally as a strong reaction or hyperbolically for something that is merely impressive.

The lesson also uses “coming to a close,” meaning approaching an end, and “up to you,” meaning the choice belongs to the other person. These expressions help round out the examples. A project can be coming to a close, and choosing whether to continue studying is up to you. That phrasing can signal autonomy, but the speaker should make clear if there are real limits or requirements.

To practise, choose a place or activity you enjoy and explain how you could make a day of it. Then imagine a friend is confused by a process and offer to talk them through it. Finally, name something that recently amazed you. Use “mind blown” for a strong reaction, and remember that the phrase is casual rather than formal. These examples also let you practise giving context before explaining an expression.

S2.1
Speak English With VanessaAmerican English27:12

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Transcript

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Introduces the three expressions and a plan for making a day of an activity.

Dan Hello Vanessa Hello hello Welcome to today's live English lesson here on the Speak English With Vanessa YouTube channel I'm here with my husband Dan Dan Hi everybody Vanessa Today we're going to be explaining three important expressions One of them is an idiom One of them is a phrasal verb and one of them is kind of a slang expression would you say Dan Yeah definitely slang but good slang Vanessa Yes slang that you can use in your daily life I hope that these expressions will be useful to you We're going to ask some questions so make sure that you interact and try to make your own sentences and use them That's the easiest and fastest way to remember is to use it yourself

Try it: Choose an activity you could enjoy for a full day. Then describe a time someone explained a process to you and something that amazed you.

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.

6 phrases

sneak preview

Introduces the three expressions and a plan for making a day of an activity. · expression

A brief early look at something before it is fully presented.

Tone and use: Informal and common. Use it for a short preview of a lesson, event, or product.

May not fit: It is a preview, not necessarily the complete experience.

Example“The opening scene gives viewers a sneak preview of the series.”

make a day of it

Introduces the three expressions and a plan for making a day of an activity. · expression

Spend a day enjoying an activity or place, often doing several related things.

Tone and use: Informal and positive. Use it when you plan to devote a good part of the day to an experience.

May not fit: It does not require a costly trip; the activity can be simple.

Example“We are going to make a day of it and explore the whole coastline.”

talk someone through something

Practises using an expression for spending a full day on something. · expression

Explain a process step by step so another person can understand or do it.

Tone and use: Common conversational expression. Use it when offering help with instructions, a procedure, or a confusing situation.

May not fit: Ask whether the person wants help; do not assume they need it.

Example“Could you talk me through the online application?”

coming to a close

Explains guiding someone through a confusing process. · expression

Approaching its end.

Tone and use: Neutral and somewhat polished. Use it for an event, period, or process that is nearly finished.

May not fit: It means nearing the end, not necessarily ending immediately.

Example“As the semester is coming to a close, we are reviewing our notes.”

mind blown

Explains guiding someone through a confusing process. · expression

Extremely amazed or surprised.

Tone and use: Informal and expressive. Use it for a strong reaction to something impressive or unexpected.

May not fit: It is often hyperbolic; choose a milder phrase in formal settings.

Example“I was mind blown by the night sky in the desert.”

up to you

Reviews how the three expressions work in different contexts. · expression

The decision or responsibility belongs to the person being addressed.

Tone and use: Conversational and direct. Use it to make clear that someone can choose.

May not fit: Do not say this if the choice is not actually theirs.

Example“We can eat inside or outside—it’s up to you.”

Knowledge check

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What it means · “make a day of it”

If you make a day of visiting a town, what do you do?