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Communication

The English you actually reach for when you're talking to people — on the phone, catching up, smoothing over a disagreement, or making yourself understood.

15 situations154 phrases
Making a phone callB1

Getting hold of someone and keeping the call going.

get throughcall backpick up
Disagreeing politelyB1–C1

Pushing back without it turning into a row.

cut inadmit mistakebear in mind
Catching up with someoneB1–B2

Easing into conversation and keeping it flowing.

break the icecome upcome out
Explaining yourselfB1–B2

Making sure your point actually lands.

get atbear withget across
Steering a conversationB1–B2

Bringing things up, holding off, and moving a chat along without treading on toes.

bring uphold ontouch on
Passing on the newsB1

Word's going round — finding out what's true and telling the right people.

go aroundpass onfind out
Coming across the right wayB1–B2

How you sound to others — being straight with people without giving too much away.

come acrossmake uptell the truth
Speaking up in a groupB1–B2

Finding your voice in a meeting — saying your bit and getting people on side.

speak upcall onspeak up
Sorting out a misunderstandingB1–B2

When the wires get crossed and you need to set the record straight.

mix upwhat I mean is …take back
Settling an argumentB1–B2

When a row's gone on long enough and somebody needs to give ground.

talk overback downgo back on
Getting put through at receptionB1

Reach the right person when you ring a switchboard or front desk.

put (someone) throughtake a messageget through to
Asking someone to hold on a secB1

Buy yourself a moment to check before you give the go-ahead.

hang ongo ahead
Getting up to speed on what's going onB1–B2

Find out the latest and check it's come from somewhere trustworthy.

keep upfind out about
Getting your point acrossB2–C1

When you really need someone to get what you mean, plain and clear.

spell outrun overin a nutshell
Keeping something to yourselfB2–C1

When you know more than you're letting on and have to bite your tongue.

hold backgive awaylet alone

Browse all 154 communication phrases by level →

Multiple-meaning phrases in communication

Same phrase, different jobs — compare the meanings before you use them.

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