C2 Advanced Expressions: In this english vocabulary lesson, you will be learning some common Advanced C2 expressions. I think these are a little more advanced expressions that you can use in a variety of situations. Now, I’m explain you how these expressions are used, as well as when they are used, and try to explain the situation.
When you think of these expressions, I don’t want you to look at the individual words; I want you to think about it as a whole. I think that if you’re able to try and learn these expressions as one chunk, as a single piece of information, then it’ll be a little easier to comprehend, understand, and you’ll be able to use them correctly when you find yourself in a situation where these expressions are relevant.
10 C2 Advanced Expressions
- Having said that
- Wishful thinking
- To take (something) for granted
- Keep that in mind
- Be that as it may
- Around the clock
- To toss round (some) ideas
- In and of itself
- Lo and behold
- In hindsight
1. Having said that
Meaning: This is a transitional phrase which means that you are using it to transition from one idea to the next. In this case, you are transitioning basically to an opposing view. You are going to say something contradictory to what was just said.
How to use in the sentence:
This phrase is often found at the beginning of a sentence. For example: Say one thing (one sentence) + Having said that + Say the Opposite (second sentence)
Explanation:
When you are trying to disagree or you are basically contrasting information that was just said. Maybe you are talking to someone, and you are saying all this great stuff about him. Then, you want to say the opposite, so you would say, “Oh, you know, he is amazing, he is very smart, he is very hard-working.” Then you would say, “Having said that,” and you would say the opposite of everything you just said.
Example:
- I can’t be your hero anymore. Having said all that, I still would like to get together on Tuesdays for bowling and alternating Sundays for general horseplay.
- Recognize that Google is not a conventional workplace. Having said that, we have rules.
- I’m over it completely. Having said that, it’s so hard to move on.
2. Wishful thinking
Meaning: If somebody says “wishful thinking,” it means that some other person is imagining a future event that is rather unlikely, but they just wish that that is the way things were. They are just hopeful; they are optimistic that something will happen. [c2 advanced expressions]
Examples:
- I just hope he found some place where he could find a little peace, a place set in the cedars and oak trees, but that’s probably wishful thinking.
3. To take (something) for granted
Meaning: when you don’t fully appreciate something because you just come to assume that it will always be there and always be available.
Explanation:
Imagine you have a car, and you drive it every day. You go to work, you go shopping, you go to the grocery store, and you use it quite often. Then the car breaks down, and now you have to change your routine. You have to take a bus or you have to walk. It takes a lot more time.
It then becomes a reminder of how much easier things were with the car, that you could do things much faster. You might think to yourself, “Wow, I was starting to take it for granted. I completely forgot that it’s a lot more challenging to have to take a bus to all of these places,” and you didn’t realize it until it was gone, until it was no longer available. To take something for granted” or “to take someone for granted.
Examples:
- Sure, but philosophy is about questioning things that you take for granted.
- Most of us here were born in America. We take this country for granted. Not immigrants like Apu.
4. Keep that in mind
Meaning: when you say ‘keep that in mind’ it means you are telling someone that they should be aware of something or maybe they should acknowledge that something exists.
How to use in this sentence:
(Say something you should be aware of)+ Keep that in mind.
- You may find this expression at the end of a person’s comment. They tell you what they want you to be aware of and then, just as a reminder, say, Look, keep that in mind.
I want you to keep this in mind + (Say something to be aware of)
- Maybe they use it at the beginning of a statement and say something like, “Look, I want you to keep this in mind,” and then proceed to tell you what they want you to be aware of.
Examples:
- You won’t get second chance. Keep in mind.
- The world ain’t what it seems. You keep that in mind.
5. Be that as it may
Meaning: you use this expression when you want to say that you believe some information that you have been given, that you think it is true, but it does not change your opinion about some topic or some situation.
How to use:
It is often used at the beginning of a sentence, and it’s a little more formal.
Explanation:
Let me give you an example. The judge is deciding that somebody is guilty, and they’re just trying to determine should they give a very strict punishment or should they give a very light punishment. [c2 advanced expressions] The person is trying to say, “Well, hey, here are some facts.
Here’s some information to show you that I’m a good person even though I did something wrong.” When the judge is talking to this individual, the judge may acknowledge that information and they may say, “Look, yeah, you have been very helpful in your community. You have shown that you can be an honest and trustworthy individual. Be that as it may, you have still broken the law and you must be punished for that.
Once again, you are basically reaffirming that it doesn’t matter what information or facts that you get, it’s not going to change your opinion about this topic or this situation.
Examples:
- X Person: Here I am, not out of control.
- Y Person: Be that as it may, I must request that for the time being you allow the city to handle its own emergency.
Students Also Read: 58 Collocations Words: Learning Collocations (B2 + C1 + C2)
6. Around the clock
Meaning: In this case, it’s talking about something that is continuous, that it is lasting, especially lasting 24 hours. It is around the clock, all day, every day.
How to use in the sentence:
This expression is often used before words like: open, available
- We’re open around the clock.
- I’m available around the clock. You can call me anytime
Examples:
- Around the clock efforts continue.
- Around the clock, I’m working.
- You’ve been working. Around the clock, you can call me.
- I am available to you around the clock. Just let me know.
7. To toss round (some) ideas
Meaning: to try and come up with new ideas or possibilities especially among a group of people. It’s almost a form of brainstorming. You are just thinking about new ideas, Possibilities.
When to use:
Usually, with another person or often with a group of people as well. If there is a group of individuals and you have to think of something, you have to come up with some new ideas. You might tell the group, “You know, let’s toss around some ideas (Let’s get some ideas out there and then we’ll make a decision).
Examples:
- Do you wanna go over it and toss some ideas around?
- I’m gonna go to my book editor, Melinda, and toss around some book ideas and go home, soak in the tub, drink a glass of wine.
8. In and of itself
Meaning: when you say ‘in and of itself’ that means you are considering something alone, that is, apart from everything else. So you’re referring to something that is being considered alone.
Explanation:
For example: I might say a sentence like this: “The rainy weather in and of itself was not the cause of the traffic jam.”
So there could be many causes for this traffic jam. [c2 advanced expressions] The rainy weather could be one of them; it’s not the only one. It could be part of this. So what I said in that sentence is, “The rainy weather, in and of itself,” which means that when it’s considered alone, was not the cause of the traffic jam.
How to use:
Something else you should know about this expression is that it would often be found in the middle of the sentence and it’s going to be separated by two different commas. So, you’re going to say something, “in and of itself,” and then finish the sentence.
Examples:
- That is reverse sexism, which is, in and of itself, a sexist thing to do.
- My cousin violated his parole, which, in and of itself, isn’t good news, but we’re gonna get his van until he gets out.
9. Lo and behold
Meaning: when somebody uses “lo and behold,” they are telling someone something surprising that happened.
When to use:
You would use this when you’re telling a story. You’re telling somebody a story and talking about some events that happened and then you want to reveal something surprising. All of a sudden, lo and behold……
- For example, if somebody said, “Wow, and I looked in the drawer, and lo and behold, I found my wallet.”
10. In hindsight
Meaning: this expression means that a person has gained understanding about a situation or event after it has already happened, or perhaps after it has developed.
How to use:
You would often find this expression at the beginning of a sentence. Somebody might say, “Well, you know, in hindsight,” and then talk about what should have happened.
Examples:
- Well, in hindsight, I should have told the truth. I never should have lied about it.
- In hindsight, I should have left hours before. There was no reason for me to stay at the party and stay out really late and not get any sleep.
- In hindsight, one of us should have brought a camera to capture these lovely moments.
Conclusion
These were advanced C2 expressions. I hope it really helps to just learn these expressions as one chunk and learn their meaning so that it gives you a better understanding as to how and when it’s used.
Now revise one more time: having said that, if you are somebody who likes, “Ah, I need to really know each and every individual word,” then I think that’s okay, but really try to view these expressions as a single chunk with a single meaning. [c2 advanced expressions] Because what I really don’t want is for you to take these expressions for granted, because you will hear them from time to time.
And now that you understand their meaning, I hope that you can go out and use them. And I know it can be difficult, I know it can be challenging, but I think you guys can do it. You’re just gonna study around the clock, and the more you study them, the more you practice them, you’re just gonna start speaking, and lo and behold, you’re just gonna start using these expressions naturally and easily. And that’s going to help you improve your overall fluency.
Students Also Read:
10 Great Everyday English Idioms for Speaking
10 The Most Advanced Phrasal Verbs C1 and C2 Level