Imagine you're abroad and barely speak the local language. How would you handle a chatty stranger?

A natural way to answer

I'd try my best with the little I know and use body language to fill the gaps. Most people appreciate the effort, so I'd meet them halfway and not worry too much about mistakes.

Key phrases to use

• muddle through — manage to do something despite not really knowing how, in a messy way“I don't speak French but we muddled through.”
• fall back on — use something as a backup when your first option fails“If I forget the word, I fall back on gestures.”
• meet them halfway — make a fair effort so that both sides share the work or compromise“If they try, I'll meet them halfway.”
• give it a go — try something even if you might not do it well“I don't speak much Spanish, but I'll give it a go.”