How to Use Idioms in Emails – 20 Practical Phrases That Work
Hey everyone, Teacher Rob here! 😊
If you’ve ever stared at a blank email screen wondering how to sound friendlier, more confident, or just less like a machine, you’re in the right place. This article is different from my earlier “Most Effective Idioms for Emails” – here we focus on exactly how and when to use them so they land perfectly every time.
I’ve selected 20 completely fresh idioms, grouped into four email-friendly categories. Each one comes with a real email example and my personal Teacher Tip on how to use it naturally. After every five idioms, there’s a fun quiz to help you memorise the them.
Ready to make your emails warmer and more effective? Let’s go! 🚀
📬 Group 1 – Starting Emails and Setting the Tone
👉 Drop someone a line (v)
Meaning: To send a short message or email.
Email example: Just dropping you a line to confirm our meeting tomorrow.
Teacher tip: Perfect casual opener with colleagues – friendly and brief.
👉 Get straight to the point (v)
Meaning: To talk about the main topic without wasting time.
Email example: I’ll get straight to the point: the report needs updates by Friday.
Teacher tip: Use after a quick greeting when time is short.
👉 Cut to the chase (v)
Meaning: To skip unnecessary details and focus on the important part.
Email example: Let’s cut to the chase – what’s the status on budget approval?
Teacher tip: Great for internal emails when everyone knows the context.
👉 Beat around the bush (v)
Meaning: To avoid talking directly about something.
Email example: Don’t beat around the bush – is the deadline realistic?
Teacher tip: Gentle way to encourage honesty in trusted relationships.
👉 Chew the fat (v)
Meaning: To have a casual conversation about unimportant things.
Email example: Before we chew the fat, let’s go through the agenda first.
Teacher tip: Light-hearted opener for relaxed catch-up emails.
✅ Quick Quiz – Group 1
1. I’m _______ to ask about the project update. (sending a quick note)
- A) cutting to the chase
- B) dropping you a line
- C) beating around the bush
Answer ✓
B) dropping you a line – Quick and casual!
2. No need for small talk – let’s _______. (go directly to the main topic)
- A) get straight to the point
- B) chew the fat
- C) cut to the chase
Answer ✓
A) get straight to the point – Efficiency wins!
3. We don’t have much time, let’s _______. (skip details)
- A) beat around the bush
- B) cut to the chase
- C) drop a line
Answer ✓
B) cut to the chase – Straightforward!
4. Please don’t _______ – is the deal on or off? (avoid the issue)
- A) chew the fat
- B) beat around the bush
- C) get straight to the point
Answer ✓
B) beat around the bush – Calls for directness!
5. We can _______ about the weekend later. (chat casually)
- A) cut to the chase
- B) chew the fat
- C) drop a line
Answer ✓
B) chew the fat – Relaxed vibe!
📬 Group 2 – Giving Updates and Sharing Info
👉 Keep someone posted (v)
Meaning: To keep someone informed about developments.
Email example: I’ll keep you posted on any changes to the schedule.
Teacher tip: Add this at the end of status emails to show you’re reliable.
👉 Put someone in the picture (v)
Meaning: To give someone all the necessary information.
Email example: Let me put you in the picture about the new team structure.
Teacher tip: Helpful for bringing new people up to speed – keep it concise.
👉 Bring someone up to speed (v)
Meaning: To inform someone about the latest developments.
Email example: Before the call, I’ll bring you up to speed on the client feedback.
Teacher tip: Excellent for remote teams and intro sentences in updates.
👉 Hear it through the grapevine (v)
Meaning: To learn something informally or through rumours.
Email example: I heard it through the grapevine that the merger is happening soon.
Teacher tip: Use sparingly and add “but let’s confirm” to stay professional.
👉 Read between the lines (v)
Meaning: To understand the hidden meaning in something.
Email example: Read between the lines – the client isn’t happy with the delay.
Teacher tip: Great for analyzing responses in feedback emails.
✅ Quick Quiz – Group 2
6. I’ll _______ if the meeting time changes. (inform you)
- A) put you in the picture
- B) keep you posted
- C) hear it through the grapevine
Answer ✓
B) keep you posted – Reliable update!
7. To _______, here’s the latest report. (help you understand everything)
- A) bring you up to speed
- B) put you in the picture
- C) read between the lines
Answer ✓
B) put you in the picture – Clear briefing!
8. Let me _______ on the latest sales figures. (tell you the most recent details)
- A) bring you up to speed
- B) hear it through the grapevine
- C) keep you posted
Answer ✓
A) bring you up to speed – Quick catch-up!
9. I _______ that the office is moving. (learned informally)
- A) read between the lines
- B) heard it through the grapevine
- C) put in the picture
Answer ✓
B) heard it through the grapevine – Rumor alert!
10. You need to _______ in her reply – she’s hinting at issues. (see hidden meaning)
- A) keep posted
- B) read between the lines
- C) bring up to speed
Answer ✓
B) read between the lines – Subtle insight!
📬 Group 3 – Making Requests and Suggestions
👉 Twist someone’s arm (v)
Meaning: To persuade someone to do something they don’t really want to.
Email example: I hate to twist your arm, but can you review this by tomorrow?
Teacher tip: Add humour for minor favours – keeps things light.
👉 Drive a hard bargain (v)
Meaning: To negotiate strongly to get the best deal.
Email example: You drive a hard bargain, but I can agree to 10% off.
Teacher tip: Compliment the other side in negotiations – shows respect.
👉 Play hard ball (v)
Meaning: To negotiate or compete aggressively.
Email example: If they play hard ball on price, we’ll need to stand firm.
Teacher tip: Use internally with your team to prepare for tough talks.
👉 Touch upon (v)
Meaning: To mention something briefly.
Email example: In the meeting, I’ll touch upon the budget changes.
Teacher tip: Elegant way to preview topics without going into detail.
👉 Give someone a hard time (v)
Meaning: To make things difficult for someone or criticize them.
Email example: Don’t give me a hard time about the deadline – I’m doing my best.
Teacher tip: Use lightly with close colleagues to acknowledge challenges.
✅ Quick Quiz – Group 3
11. The client is _______ about the terms. (criticizing)
- A) twisting my arm
- B) giving me a hard time
- C) driving a hard bargain
Answer ✓
B) giving me a hard time – Tough spot!
12. I’ll try to _______ for an extension. (persuade strongly)
- A) play hard ball
- B) twist your arm
- C) touch upon
Answer ✓
B) twist your arm – Gentle push!
13. She always _______ in negotiations. (negotiates tough)
- A) drives a hard bargain
- B) gives a hard time
- C) touches upon
Answer ✓
A) drives a hard bargain – Strong negotiator!
14. They decided to _______ on the contract. (be aggressive)
- A) touch upon
- B) play hard ball
- C) twist arms
Answer ✓
B) play hard ball – Competitive!
15. Let’s _______ the new policy in the email. (mention briefly)
- A) drive a hard bargain
- B) touch upon
- C) give a hard time
Answer ✓
B) touch upon – Brief reference!
📬 Group 4 – Closing Emails and Next Steps
👉 Wrap things up (v)
Meaning: To finish or conclude something.
Email example: Let’s wrap things up by 5 PM today.
Teacher tip: Positive way to signal closure and encourage quick action.
👉 Circle back (v)
Meaning: To return to a topic later.
Email example: I’ll circle back next week with more details.
Teacher tip: Modern, professional sign-off for ongoing conversations.
👉 Keep it under wraps (v)
Meaning: To keep something secret.
Email example: Please keep this under wraps until the announcement.
Teacher tip: Builds trust in confidential emails.
👉 Spill the beans (v)
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
Email example: Don’t spill the beans about the surprise party.
Teacher tip: Playful warning for fun team emails.
👉 Let the cat out of the bag (v)
Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret.
Email example: I almost let the cat out of the bag about the merger.
Teacher tip: Light-hearted way to admit a slip in internal chats.
✅ Quick Quiz – Group
16. Let’s _______ before the call ends. (finish)
- A) circle back
- B) wrap things up
- C) spill the beans
Answer ✓
B) wrap things up – Nice closer!
17. We can _______ on that idea next month. (return later)
- A) let the cat out of the bag
- B) circle back
- C) keep under wraps
Answer ✓
B) circle back – Future focus!
18. Make sure to _______ until official. (keep secret)
- A) spill the beans
- B) keep it under wraps
- C) wrap things up
Answer ✓
B) keep it under wraps – Confidential!
19. Please don’t _______ about the bonus. (reveal secret)
- A) let the cat out of the bag
- B) spill the beans
- C) circle back
Answer ✓
B) spill the beans – Secret keeper!
20. I didn’t mean to _______ the news early. (reveal accidentally)
- A) wrap things up
- B) let the cat out of the bag
- C) keep under wraps
Answer ✓
B) let the cat out of the bag – Oops moment!
And that’s it, 20 brand-new idioms ready to make your emails shine!🎉
Which one are you going to try first in your next message? Drop a comment below – I read every single one and love hearing how these little phrases are helping you in real life!
If this helped, please share it with a colleague and hit subscribe so you never miss a new list. Keep practising, keep shining, and I’ll see you in the next one!
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Rob is a CELTA qualified English teacher with 15 years of international experience. He has a BSc and PGDip from Loughborough and St Andrews universities in the UK. He has taught in Thailand and Saudi Arabia and now works with professionals worldwide.
