ADVANCED ENGLISH IDIOMS to pass your speaking exam. Cambridge Exam preparation.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

If you need more help with your B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency Cambridge exam preparation, check out my website: ttpenglish.com/

[@oblivion591]

An idiom that I find particularly useful is "Whatever floats your boat."

[@erykolszewski7700]

Thank you so much Ben for your incredibly rich in knowledge videos! By watching them, I passed CAE with flying colours and got grade A. Keep up the great work!

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Congratulations! Fantastic achievement 👏

[@farnaz7507]

Congratulations!

[@clausita]

Inspiring! Congratulations.

[@Crisguay]

I hadn't got the foggiest idea what the meaning of this idiom was. To hazard a guess, I think I'll add it to my next oral test, if I dare when I'm immersed in my speech and I don't lose my train of thougths. Do you catch my drift? But, let's not spill hairs: time will tell what will happen in this situation. Having a teacher in front of me taking notes is one of my pet peeves. I'm "going off on a tangent".... to cut a long story short: I like what you're sharing today. (I guess this is a clear example of the use of idioms in the most unnatural way. Thanks for reading my ramblings!) ☺

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Well done, Cristina! (We say "to go off on a tangent" - I might make a video about that 🙂)

[@Crisguay]

Great! I'm looking forward to It!! 🙌

[@Ericadbury]

Is it wrong to use it in the gerund? : I'm going off on a tangent?

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

No, that's not wrong. It's fine

[@AgnieszkaP21]

Another great video, thanks a lot Ben. Recently I've learned a few idioms from my preparation book for instance: to face the music, to put the record straight, to be over the hill, to be in the running, to be up to the mark, hog the limelight and others. There are many idioms in English and it's really good if you're able to use some of them during the exam. You said that the examiner is not intrested in your issue but only the language you're using. That is true and my friend from London said exactly the same: "If they ask you what is the weather like on the Moon... you must say that you were there two weeks ago and it was cold..." So, keep making such a useful videos. Best wishes.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Nice idioms and good advice. 😃

[@Ericadbury]

That was funny. I would say that last time I was on the moon I thought it was a bit chilly.

[@amalshaabi4068]

Thanks to your video I finally passed the speaking exam with flying colours. Thanks Ben. Keep up the good work.

[@simondonth7414]

Hello Ben, I would love to thank You for your invaluable free youtube videos, they helped me a great deal and thanks to You I passed the CAE exam with just a week of learning!

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Wow! Congratulations 👏

[@EvgeniiaDolinenko]

You are a great teacher. I'm so Glad I found you. I want to pass from my B2 to C1 and more. So I will stick to your channel. 🌸🌸🌸

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Thanks... Glad you're sticking with me 🙂

[@mati2487]

I live in a quaint village, a stone's throw from this city. That's plus or minus what I want to say during my speaking exam, being asked for my place of living. I think it's a lovely expression, a stone's throw from somewhere basically means near to some place.

[@elboysito2727]

Did you finally use it?

[@hastalavista9431]

Hi, Ben! Your lessons is perfect as usual! I haven't got the foggiest idea how to learn English without them!

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Ha ha 😆 Very good

[@zelihabalaban7361]

Dear Ben, I've discovered you from KZbin Videos 30 min ago, I am happy to share my enthusiasm about your lessons and maybe I will taking course from you about proficiency level! What a great motivation :)

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Hi Zeliha... I'm glad you like my lessons! Let me know if you have any questions about the course

[@Dispy_edits]

My speaking exam is in 30minutes. I will try to use it. Thanks Ben!

[@diegogutierrezchristensen4527]

how did it go

[@irinamalkina6224]

10:53 to cut/make a long story short

[@ermelindalombardo1477]

I'm addicted to your channel! Thank you for your great work!

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Glad you like my channel 🙂

[@matthew.claw.34]

thank you ones again Ben. to cut a long story short I think you are the best teacher!! your followers are about to reach 100k and we are waiting for another great video from you. ❤❤❤

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Thank you 🙂

[@moler195]

Hello Ben! In the C1 advanced there is a question that is:Where do you live? I think that the idiom:Put down roots is a good one to use: I lived in Portugal untill I was five,then my family decided to go to Spain and when we arrived there we put down roots and built a new live.

[@RianaCiobanu1]

Thank you very much for the amazing lesson. Tomorrow I’ve got the Speaking Cambridge Exam and your lesson with idioms will really help me. 😊

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

How did it go?

[@SoniaSonya-q1m]

Thanks a lot Ben. Your videos are absolutely riveting. By the way, one of my biggest pet peeve is people parking in double queu, and of course, people throwing cigarette butts on the ground or on the beach.

[@moonynightss]

These idioms are gold!

[@franciscopontesvelasco4315]

I wasn't conversant with "catch my drift" I fancy these videos

[@michelvv]

to make what your saying shorter (11:04) --> am I correct in assuming that should be to make what you're saying shorter?

[@martinjokes1610]

Yes I understand I catch your drift

[@revaz6784]

Thank you for teaching these amazing idioms. I really really really enjoyed the clear and thorough explanation in your video. You are truly a great teacher.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Thanks!

[@ruthnosurname-fw6ur]

Ben, thank you so much for this video☀️

[@Kacper20051]

Great video as always. I would like to ask you if we could replace "to cut a long story short" with "in a nutshell"? Are they synonyms? I would be elated, if you respond to my question.

[@annabarc1177]

Thank you Ben for another useful bunch of idioms and frazes. Amy always helps me to remember at least one new expression. She is so adorable and sweet. Joking aside, I'm sure she is extremely intelligent too.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

She's sweet but she's not the sharpest tool in the box!

[@encarglish]

Thanks for this helpful video! I'm taking the speaking test at the EOI this week. I'd would like to know whether you think this following expression is suitable for this type of tests. "For what is worth,..." Thank you

[@migueluseraballester2485]

Great content!!!! Thx

[@gianpierod.429]

Hi Ben, thanks for teaching those useful expressions and expanding our vocabulary. About the first expression 'I haven't the foggiest/faintest...' I've also heard another one, 'I haven't the slightest idea...' which I presume has the same meaning, hasn't it? Then, when you say 'catch my drift' in a conversation, you might also say 'do you follow me?', is that right? And about the last one (to cut a long story short), saying 'in a nutshell' or 'in a few words ' have the same meaning, haven't they? Thanks

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Yes, to all your questions 🙂

[@gianpierod.429]

@@tothepointenglishwithben. Hi Ben, thanks for clarifying that. 👍 Have a good weekend! Cheers

[@english_with_arisha9453]

Thank you, Ben! My biggest pet peeves are people, who keep asking stupid questions in order to catch attention.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

I can relate to that 🙂

[@english_with_arisha9453]

Of course not!

[@ferni8956]

As usual, great video! Is there any difference between saying ''Cut a long story short'' or ''Long story short''? I have always heard the second option, and I'm hesitant whether or not I have been commiting this mistake all this time. I personally loved '''split hairs'', I guess in Spanish we say something like ''No busques tres pies al gato'' or ''Rizar el rizo'' to convey that. Apart from that, ''lose sb's train of thought'' seems to me as a very solid way to show hesitation in an advanced manner. Thanks for sharing these pieces of knowledge with us!

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

"Long story short" is the same as "to cut a long story short". It's becoming more an more common, especially with young people. Glad you liked the video 🙂

[@nosycatUK]

Thank you,teacher. I love your lessons.

[@Qmul1]

This video was super useful Ben. Thank you so much

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

I'm glad you found it useful 🙂

[@ОльгаК-у4п]

Thanks, Ben!

[@doremifasolatido-ro7zs]

most of these idioms are new to me except the "lose the train of thought & to cut the long story short"

[@deepikayadav2499]

Needless to say,....you're such a geezer..whensoever you bring new video then in actual you bring new and latest day...for us..genuinely!🙂

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Glad you like the videos 🙂

[@mariaradulovic3203]

Very useful, thank you. I am following your Proficiency Course, but my biggest problem is the tempo (of the taste) and focus. Especially, when it comes to listening. After the record finish, although I understood it all, I forget most of it at the same moment. It's frustrating. All because of my nerves. I have to work on that, too.

[@eieilannaung4001]

Thank you so much for making that kind of videos for us.Your channel is like a bridge of going way to achieve my goal.Plz keep making it 👏👏👏👏👏🙏🙏 Watching you from Myanmar🇲🇲

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

I'm glad you find my videos useful 🙂

[@ardia2507]

Hi, Ben. Could you make a video on how to use 'in a way that' and 'in such a way that'?

[@abfr48]

thanks a lot for your useful tips

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

You're welcome, Fabrizio 🙂

[@jonyer1980]

1-I haven't the foggiest/faintest idea: no tener ni puñetera/pajolera idea. 2- To hazard a guess: Aventurarse a decir. 3- To catch's something drift: si me pillas lo que digo. 4-To lose one strain of thought: Se me ha ido la pinza.. 5- to Split hairs: no hace falta especificar tanto, actually irrelevant... 6- Pet Peeves:algo que te toca las narices/te toca la moral. 7- To cut a long story short:Abreviando, ciñiendome a lo elemental, yendo al grano...

[@lauraa.6418]

Ben, you're simply the best 🙂

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

😃 Thank you, Laura

[@15015.]

Thank you so much for your invaluable videos and lessons, you are one of the best teachers I have ever met ! Is 'it's a bugbear of mine' similar to 'it's my pet peeve'? Thanks

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Thanks for your comment. Yes, "bugbear" is basically the same as "pet peeve"

[@acc1171]

Ben, you are outstanding as a teacher. Have you ever thought having a podcast program?. Congratulations!

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Yes... Maybe in the new year!

[@acc1171]

That would be great news. Your voice is mesmerising!!!

[@АннаКузюра-ь7в]

Thank you for the video 😊

[@ograro]

Go directly to the point!!!! You divress too much.

[@saraphanar6507]

I'm happy to see that actually I already know 3 idioms out of these ones mentioned 😊 so I need to memorize less😅

[@dipithsharma934]

Hello sir!! Another great video by you. Could you please suggest book or something that may help to increase in the same skills like expressions or phrases. Thanks in advance.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

"English Idioms in Use" is a good one

[@marylkap6498]

I usually don't do it, but ... Feel the need to comment on this one 😉 this colour matches your eyes 😊 And is there a guitar in the background? Do you play it? If yes, may I suggest any songs, soothing pieces of music to comfort poor, stressed students? 😊

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

😆 Maybe I'll start another KZbin channel with relaxing acoustic guitar music for studying!

[@marylkap6498]

@@tothepointenglishwithben. Purrrfect 😻😽

[@gladysdasilva6878]

Hi Ben! Thanks once more for your clear lesson...I always wonder which is the best way to learn idioms and phrasal verbs? There are a lot and it is impossible to memorize without a context...🤗🤗

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Context is crucial. Also, learning the origin of the idiom/phrasal verb can help you remember it (I made a couple of videos on that). But, at the end of the day, you have to use the vocabulary in your speaking and writing and go back to it regularly (spaced repetition)

[@ablessing891]

Thanks! ✨

[@gardinchannel1166]

Could a good alternative expression for "I lost my train of thought" be "it slipped my mind"? For example: "I was about to comment on what you said before, but the thought just slipped my mind".

[@marinemotsradze4295]

My biggest pet peeve is when people don't listen🙃 thank u teacher Ben, I hope I will use these idiomatic expressions at my exam in a week

[@Mari-br9sf]

Besides the speaking part, Can I use idioms for articles or informal letters?

[@marinaaesthetic]

My biggest pet peeve is when smokers direct the smoke into my face, because...well, to cut a long story short not only did my cousin's boyfriend point it to me, but he burnt my arm with the cigarette afterwards, it was horrible.

[@risatedarte5366]

Can we say "to cut it short " ?

[@svearike00]

Hello im preparing for the C1 exam that i will take soon. I bought the ''Cambridge English Objective Advanced'' preperation material with the book that comes aswell with the CD. But the cd does not work with any stereo player at all. And my macbook pro is of a newer version so it does not support cd-discs, is there anyway to access the material digital?

[@ddbi5045]

Is the phrase "I have not the faintest" informal?

[@Gulia__mmm]

Thanks a mill it's fantastic, so many useful idioms!. I subscribed a few days ago and do wish I had found your channel long before. I have a question, though, and I'll really appreciate it if you kindly answer it. I know that idioms get dated ( like it's raining cats and dogs))), and how on earth am I supposed to know if it's still ok to use some , and I won't be giggled at?)))) Where and how can I check it?.. Thank you again

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

That's very tricky. There are always alternatives to idioms, so I recommend you only use those which you're sure are still used and avoid using those which may be risky. Or ask a native English speaker. You shouldn't overuse idioms anyway. They're good for getting more marks in exams but in real life, keep them to a minimum.

[@Gulia__mmm]

@@tothepointenglishwithben. Dear Ben, thank you for your prompt reply❤

[@gardinchannel1166]

The expression "to cut a long story short" tends to get cut short to "long story short" here in the US in casual conversations.

[@martinjokes1610]

To cut a long story short I love English

[@ciro083]

Thanks for the video! Is it "Pet Peeve" North American, or is it also used in the UK?

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

It's definitely used in the UK

[@Kej.9]

Sooo that´s why thy annoying poltregeist in Harry Potter is called Peeves :D Thanks for another great video

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

😆 I guess so!

[@claudiapilade.]

thankyou !:)

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

You're welcome 🙂

[@annamiller9153]

I hazard a guess that by the end of the month you will have had 100k subscribers 😁

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

It's possible! 😬

[@aitanagomez7338]

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty!

[@federicataroni4010]

My pet peeve is students pointing and asking redundant things only for the teacher’s attention and to be told bravo 😂

[@ismaelrosa8091]

Cutting a long story short is what you ought to do often, because let's admit it: you've got the unhealthy tendency to go on and on about the same opinion, going around the same thought/idea/statement in circles, like a broken record at times. I could''ve put my own two cents by being unfailingly polite, but at my certainly advanced age I take some liberties, like those of Albus Dumbledore when he says: "in my not so humble opinion...".

[@ИльяГорих]

Is "Cut the long story short" equal to "in a nutshell"?)

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Similar, yes

[@encarglish]

Hi there! Thanks for your videos. How can I download the free worksheet?

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

The link is in the video description 👍

[@encarglish]

Thank you

[@TheDevilik]

Is it "I haven't a bust of a clue" very informal for the speaking paper?

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

I've never heard that before

[@TheDevilik]

@@tothepointenglishwithben. I heard it in a movie called "imagine me and you"

[@rlyehdate]

I haven't the foggest idea this expression even existed lmao

[@laurarecartearregui6114]

Good morning Ben, in your website I don't see anaything related to linguaSkill Cambridge C1 Exam, Does it mean you don't have an specific course for that exam??. Thanks for your time

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Hi Laura. I have preparation courses for the B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency exams but not Linguaskill, I'm afraid.

[@laurarecartearregui6114]

Thank you very much for the prompt reply. It is being hard to find preparation resources to that,specific exam but to cut a long story short, I hope I could have a right inspiration that big day. @@tothepointenglishwithben.

[@1965dsk]

My biggest PET PEEVE is that when I see a person speaking on cell phone while driving especially in a heavy traffic ..

[@abhilashb7922]

Ben......sir

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Hi!

[@abhilashb7922]

@@tothepointenglishwithben. 🙏

[@Elegant112]

Hi my friends....

[@matteo.s.]

Not what but how …

[@martinjokes1610]

I haven't got the foggiest

[@CrazyBoy-zy4mq]

Yet peeve is when people make the sound of eating or chewing.

[@ВсеволодШуплецов]

😊❤

[@joelmasamba6762]

Oh my gosh!!! My biggest pet peeve is that people who drink a lot of 🍺🍻🍻🍻🍺🍻 every day whereas I'm thinking about My real life

[@freddiemercury8700]

Look Ben ! to cut the long story short! Some may argue, but I have to say that your channel is; the dog's bollocks! Just what the doctor ordered! In another words * fit for a king * Do you catch my drift gaffer* Always a pleasure to see you again. As ever, thanks ever so much. I look forward to your next lesson. Now, I have to run and see a man about a dog. Bye! Greetings from Casablanca.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

😆 Nicely done (except... It's "THE dog's bollocks")

[@freddiemercury8700]

@@tothepointenglishwithben. you are RIGHT. Thanks for correcting me.

[@lucias1276]

or whatever = let's not split hairs?

[@martinjokes1610]

I hate green tea this is my pet peeve

[@ograro]

Rum about

[@alexanderwilde8259]

Are you married? 🙄🙄

[@reinders1000]

This climate change stuff gets on my nerves. I can't stand it anymore!