Learning a new language is not just about mastering grammar and vocabulary. It’s also about understanding the colloquialisms and casual expressions that the locals use in everyday conversation. These phrases often convey meaning beyond their literal translation and can be key to sounding fluent. Here are some commonly used colloquialisms and casual expressions in English that can help you talk like a native:

Catch some Z’s
This phrase means to get some sleep. It comes from the American English pronunciation of the letter ‘z’ which sounds similar to ‘zzz’, a comic book representation of snoring.
I’m exhausted after that hike; I need to go home and catch some Z’s.

Hit the hay
A similar expression to “catch some Z’s,” this means to go to bed. The phrase originates from the times when mattresses were often stuffed with hay.
It’s getting late, time for me to hit the hay.

Break a leg
Used to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance. It’s based on the theatrical superstition that wishing someone “good luck” is actually bad luck.
Your play premieres tonight? Break a leg!

Spill the beans
This means to reveal a secret or disclose information before you’re supposed to. Its origins are not completely clear, but one theory suggests it’s related to spilling beans from a jar, unintentionally revealing what’s inside.
Come on, spill the beans! Who’s the surprise guest?

Beat around the bush
When someone is avoiding the main point and not speaking directly about a subject, they’re said to be beating around the bush. This idiom may have hunting origins where hunters would literally beat around bushes instead of going straight for the prey.
Stop beating around the bush and tell me what really happened.

Shoot the breeze
To engage in a casual or informal conversation, usually without a specific topic or purpose. This phrase is believed to have its roots in the American West where cowboys might waste time by shooting at nothing in particular – just the breeze.
Let’s shoot the breeze over a cup of coffee.

Piece of cake
If something is very easy to do, it’s often described as a ‘piece of cake’. The exact origins are unclear, but it seems to equate the ease of eating a delicious slice of cake to completing a simple task.
Don’t worry about the exam, it’ll be a piece of cake for you!

Under the weather
Feeling slightly ill or unwell is often expressed with this phrase. It might come from the nautical term where sailors would go below deck (under the weather deck) to recover from seasickness.
I won’t be coming to work today; I’m feeling a bit under the weather.

Bite the bullet
This expression means to endure a painful or otherwise unpleasant situation that is unavoidable. It originates from the days before anesthesia, where patients literally bit a bullet to cope with pain during a surgery.
I guess I have to bite the bullet and start my diet today.

In summary, understanding and using colloquialisms and casual expressions are vital to becoming proficient in English. These phrases add color and authenticity to your language skills. While they may not be found in the academic textbooks, they are definitely present in the real world of English conversation. So next time you’re practicing your English, try throwing a few of these into the mix and see how it transforms your interactions!