Would you like to be able to describe the people in your life in more detail in English? It can be frustrating if you have a limited vocabulary but you want to go deeper in your English conversations. In order to have more interesting conversations, you need to be aware of ‘conversational English’. This is basically ‘informal’ English.
We use many phrasal verbs, idioms and expressions in our everyday speech. Becoming aware of these common expressions and how to use them will be the key to your confidence and English fluency!
3 PHRASAL VERBS to use when describing people.
SHOW OFF 
To show off means to confidently display your abilities or accomplishments. The formal synonym is ‘to boast’. A person who ‘shows off’ (or boasts) talks about his or her achievements or possessions all the time.
This peacock is showing off his feathers!
“Jack is always showing off his expensive new car!”
“Sarah likes to show off about her new job”
This can also be a noun. A show-off.
“James is always talking about himself! He’s such a big show off!”
Do you know any show offs?
BLEND IN
To blend in means to look or seem the same as surrounding people or things and therefore not be easily noticeable.
“I try to blend in when I go to parties”
“Eric doesn’t blend in very well with older people”
“We tried to blend in with the crowd”
Do you usually try to blend in at parties?
STAND OUT
When somebody STANDS OUT it means he or she is easily noticeable. This person is usually confident at social events or has a distinctive or attractive appearance.
“He was one of those men who stood out in a crowd”
“Angela dresses so well. She always stands out at parties”
I think the Queen really stands out in this picture, don’t you?
Do you know somebody who stands out?
3 IDIOMS TO DESCRIBE PEOPLE
DOWN-TO-EARTH
A down-to-earth person is someone who is very realistic and sensible. He or she is not pretentious (doesn’t pretend to be someone special). Down to earth people are real about the situation.
“Jim is such a dreamer. He’s always talking about his fantasy of travelling the world. His wife is much more down to earth about things”
“Andrew is probably the most down to earth person I’ve ever met.”
HAPPY-GO-LUCKY 
Sally Hawkins in the film “Happy-Go-Lucky”
A happy go lucky person is always very cheerful and positive. He or she doesn’t worry too much about the future. Another way to describe this person is ‘carefree’.
“Sally is so happy go lucky! She’s always smiling and laughing”
“Tom has a happy go lucky approach to life. He doesn’t let anything worry him”
DARK HORSE
When we describe someone as a dark horse, we mean that he or she doesn’t talk about or show his/her abilities and plans. This person usually succeeds very well but doesn’t talk it about. The opposite to a ‘show off’.
“I didn’t know that Alex was a champion marathon runner! He’s a real dark horse!”
“Sam has won many awards but she never talks about it. She’s such a dark horse!”
Now you have 6 ways to describe people you know, or people in the world around you. Using phrases like these will give you more speaking power and ability to communicate more deeply in conversations.
Don’t stop there! The most important thing is to use the phrases in your life.
First, write them down. Write one page in your journal about people you know and use these phrasal verbs and idioms.
Then – post them around your house. Write them on a sticky note and put them where you can see everyday.
Then, most importantly, try to use them in your speaking. You can talk aloud to yourself first, for practice. Then practice with a teacher or speaking partner.
Have fun!
Photo credits
1. Peacock – tlcphotography730.deviantart.com
2. The Queen – www.express.co.uk
Written by Nick Dale
CEO
Real English Speaker
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