10 Idioms for Communication you can use with Native Speakers of English
1. ‘ In a nutshell’ – to summarise briefly
Ex: It’s a complicated system, but in a nutshell it works like a kettle.
2. ‘To get straight to the point’ – to talk about the most important thing
Ex: Ok, I’ll get straight to the point. I’m afraid we’re going to have to make some budget cuts.
3. ‘ To put you in the picture’ – to give the latest information
Ex: Some very important decisions were taken at yesterday’s meeting. Let me put you in the picture.
4. ‘To get the wrong end of the stick’ – to misunderstand
Ex: If you think that our biggest problem is our distribution channels, you’ve got the wrong end of the stick.
5. ‘To be on the same wavelength’ – to share similar opinions and idea.
Ex: ‘We agree on most things. We’re very lucky that we are on the same wavelength’.
6. ‘To hear it on the grapevine’ – to hear about something passed from one person to another Ex: I hear on the grapevine that the CEO is planning to resign. Is that true?
7. ‘Can’t make head or tail of it’ – to fail to understand anything
Ex: This report makes no sense. I can’t make head or tail of it.
8. ‘To talk at cross purposes’ – to misunderstand
Ex: I think we’re talking at cross purposes. I meant the figures for June not July.
9. ‘To beat about the bush’ – to delay talking about something
Ex: Politicians never give you a straight answer. They always beat about the bush.
10. “To get our wires crossed’ – to misunderstand
Ex: Everyone arrived at different times for the meeting. We must have got our wires crossed.