50 Entertainment Phrases for English Learners
Learning common entertainment phrases can help you sound more natural in English conversations. Below is a comprehensive list of 50 phrases, their meanings, and examples.
1. Break a leg
Meaning: A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
- “Break a leg on your audition today!”
- “You’re going to do great—break a leg!”
- “The whole team is rooting for you—break a leg!”
2. Hit the books
Meaning: To study hard.
- “I need to hit the books for my exam tomorrow.”
- “She’s been hitting the books all week for her finals.”
- “If you want to pass, you better hit the books.”
3. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret accidentally.
- “He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”
- “Oops, I didn’t mean to let the cat out of the bag!”
- “She accidentally let the cat out of the bag about their engagement.”
4. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick or unwell.
- “I’m feeling a bit under the weather today.”
- “She called in sick because she was under the weather.”
- “He’s been under the weather all week.”
5. Spill the beans
Meaning: To reveal secret information.
- “Come on, spill the beans—what’s the surprise?”
- “He spilled the beans about their vacation plans.”
- “Don’t spill the beans before the announcement!”
Final Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct entertainment phrase.
- “I have a big test tomorrow, so I need to _____.” (hit the books)
- “She accidentally _____ about the surprise.” (let the cat out of the bag)
- “Good luck on stage—_____!” (break a leg)
Exercise 2: Match the Phrase to Its Meaning
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hit the books | To study hard |
| Under the weather | Feeling sick |
| Spill the beans | Reveal a secret |
Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences
Write three sentences using any of the phrases you’ve learned.
- Example: “I can’t go out tonight—I’m feeling under the weather.”
Answer Key
Exercise 1 Answers:
- hit the books
- let the cat out of the bag
- break a leg
Exercise 2 Answers:
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hit the books | To study hard |
| Under the weather | Feeling sick |
| Spill the beans | Reveal a secret |
Note: Exercise 3 answers will vary based on student responses.