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Speak Like An American: 4 American Idioms [Advanced English Lesson]

Download my free e-book: "5 Steps To Becoming A Confident English Speaker" http://www.speakenglishwithvanessa.com/ebook

Read the full lesson summary

Vanessa explains four idioms commonly heard in American English through short stories. Each idiom has a meaning that cannot always be understood by translating its individual words literally. The stories show when a speaker might use the expressions and whether the tone is casual, humorous, supportive, or legally sensitive.

“Take a rain check” means postpone or decline a plan for now while suggesting that it may happen another time. Vanessa’s friend uses it when her baby is unwell and she wants to reschedule their visit. It can be used for many plans, not only outdoor events or rainy weather. “Shoot the breeze” means chat casually about everyday things, without discussing anything especially serious. Vanessa uses it for meeting a childhood friend and catching up.

“Plead the Fifth” comes from the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects against being compelled to incriminate oneself. In casual conversation, people often use the expression jokingly to avoid answering a personal question, sometimes implying that the other person has guessed correctly. Vanessa illustrates this with questions about a date and about eating the last piece of chocolate. The casual joke is not the same thing as formally invoking a legal right; anyone facing a real legal situation should seek qualified legal advice rather than rely on an idiom lesson.

“Give props to someone” means show or express respect or appreciation for what they did. Vanessa uses a story about applying to Harvard: even though the person is not accepted, a friend can say, “I give you props for trying.” She also encourages learners to give themselves props for making the effort to speak English, even if the conversation is not perfect. Here “props” is informal and approving.

Other useful language includes “push back our plans,” meaning reschedule them for later; “make it into Harvard,” meaning get accepted; and “try your best,” meaning make the strongest effort you can. These phrases give the stories their natural conversational flow.

The key is to learn each idiom with its social use. “Take a rain check” is a polite rescheduling phrase, “shoot the breeze” is relaxed small talk, “plead the Fifth” can be playful but has a real legal source, and “give props” offers praise. Use the casual expressions with people and in settings where an informal tone is appropriate, and do not confuse a humorous idiom with formal legal language.

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Speak English With VanessaAmerican English10:31

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Transcript

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Introducing American idioms

Hi, I'm Vanessa from SpeakEnglishWithVanessa.com. Today we're going to talk about four American idioms. Let's get started. You might be wondering what in the world is an American idiom? Well, these idioms might be understood by people in the UK but they are most often used by Americans. And if you said one of these to someone from the US, they would instantly understand what you meant and they wouldn't feel weird at all like you were using an expression that they hadn't heard very often. For each of these idioms I'm going to tell you a little story and I want you to guess

Try it: Choose one idiom and write a short dialogue that makes its meaning clear without explaining it directly.

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

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

16 phrases

Showing 16 of 16 phrases

take a rain check

Explaining how to infer meaning from context · expression

Postpone or decline an invitation now while leaving open the possibility of doing it later.

Tone and use: Informal, polite, and common in American English. Use it when you cannot accept a plan now but may want to reschedule.

May not fit: It does not promise a specific new date; suggest one if you want to make a firm plan.

Example“I can’t join you tonight, but can I take a rain check for next weekend?”

change your plans

Telling the rain-check story · expression

Make a different arrangement from the one you had intended.

Tone and use: Neutral and common. Use it when an event or circumstance requires a new arrangement.

May not fit: For a small adjustment, specify what part of the plan is changing.

Example“The storm made us change our plans and stay indoors.”

push back our plans

Telling the rain-check story · expression

Move an activity or appointment to a later time.

Tone and use: Informal and common in scheduling. Use it when postponing an event or deadline.

May not fit: Push back can be ambiguous in some contexts; state the new time if possible.

Example“Could we push back our plans until Saturday afternoon?”

in any situation

Postponing a visit · expression

In all kinds of circumstances, not just one specific case.

Tone and use: Neutral and common. Use it to broaden a point beyond the example being discussed.

May not fit: Avoid overgeneralizing when there are important exceptions.

Example“You can use this phrase in any situation where a delay is acceptable.”

shoot the breeze

Postponing a visit · expression

Have a relaxed, informal conversation about ordinary topics.

Tone and use: Very informal and friendly. Use it for casual chatting with friends or acquaintances.

May not fit: It is too casual for formal business writing or serious discussions.

Example“We sat on the porch and shot the breeze for an hour.”

nothing too deep or important

Connecting the expression to its image · expression

Nothing especially serious, complex, or significant.

Tone and use: Conversational and casual. Use it to describe light conversation or a low-pressure topic.

May not fit: Deep can mean physically far down elsewhere; here it means serious or thoughtful.

Example“We talked about music and travel—nothing too deep or important.”

plead the Fifth

Introducing shoot the breeze · expression

Informally, refuse to answer a question; the phrase refers to the Fifth Amendment protection against compelled self-incrimination.

Tone and use: Can be humorous in casual conversation; it also has a serious legal source. Recognize the joke when someone declines to answer a personal question.

May not fit: Do not treat a joke or this lesson as legal advice or as a substitute for asserting a legal right correctly.

Example“When asked who ate the last cookie, he laughed and said, “I plead the Fifth.””

going to court

Introducing plead the Fifth · expression

Have a legal dispute or case heard by a court.

Tone and use: Neutral legal phrase. Use it when referring to a legal proceeding.

May not fit: It is more specific than simply speaking with a police officer or lawyer.

Example“The neighbours could not settle the dispute, so they decided to go to court.”

in daily conversation

Introducing plead the Fifth · expression

In ordinary, everyday spoken interactions.

Tone and use: Neutral and explanatory. Use it to distinguish casual speech from formal or technical language.

May not fit: Daily conversation does not mean every speaker uses the same expression.

Example“That abbreviation is common in daily conversation but rare in formal writing.”

doesn't want to answer your question

Connecting the idiom to its legal source · expression

Does not wish to respond to a question.

Tone and use: Neutral and direct. Use it to describe someone choosing not to answer.

May not fit: It describes the choice, not necessarily the reason behind it.

Example“She doesn’t want to answer your question right now, so give her some time.”

it is implied

Showing the implied answer · expression

The meaning is suggested without being stated directly.

Tone and use: Neutral and analytical. Use it when listeners can infer an unstated idea from context.

May not fit: An implication is not always certain; check before treating it as a fact.

Example“When he said “maybe later,” it was implied that he could not come today.”

give props to someone

Telling the chocolate story · expression

Show respect, recognition, or appreciation for someone’s effort or achievement.

Tone and use: Informal and approving, especially in American English. Use it to praise someone’s effort or give them credit.

May not fit: It is casual; use “recognize” or “commend” in formal contexts.

Example“I want to give props to the volunteers who organized the event.”

I give you props for trying

Clarifying the legal context · expression

I respect or appreciate you for making the effort, even if you did not succeed.

Tone and use: Friendly, informal encouragement. Use it to recognize effort rather than only the outcome.

May not fit: It may sound too casual in a formal review or professional letter.

Example“You didn’t win, but I give you props for trying your best.”

make it into Harvard

Clarifying the legal context · expression

Be accepted to Harvard University.

Tone and use: Informal wording for admission. Use it when talking casually about succeeding in an application process.

May not fit: For formal writing, say “be admitted to Harvard.”

Example“She worked hard and made it into Harvard’s graduate program.”

tried your best

Showing appreciation for effort · expression

Make the strongest effort you can.

Tone and use: Encouraging and common. Use it to focus on effort rather than guaranteed success.

May not fit: It does not mean every attempt will succeed.

Example“Try your best on the interview, and remember to speak clearly.”

give myself props

Showing appreciation for effort · expression

Recognize and appreciate your own effort or achievement.

Tone and use: Informal and encouraging. Use it to acknowledge that you made an effort, even if the result was imperfect.

May not fit: In a formal context, “give myself credit” may sound more appropriate.

Example“I give myself props for speaking up in the meeting.”

Knowledge check

Practice the phrases you heard

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Use it in a sentence · “take a rain check”

You cannot meet today but would like to meet later. What can you say?