Talking about partying in English for ESL students.
It’s December and supposedly ‘party season’ when your social calendar should be packed full of festive fun. Personally, I am quite happy with a good film, my pjs and a hot chocolate, but I might be tempted out of the house for one or two Christmas gatherings to celebrate the season.
What about you? Are you a party animal who lets your hair down at every opportunity and turns up to absolutely every social event that you are invited to?
Either way, today I’ve got a variety of English phrases and expressions for talking about parties; Summer parties, Christmas parties, kids’ parties, all parties! You can use these English terms all year ‘round.
To Turn Up at a Party
When we ‘turn up’ at a party we arrive. We might turn up early, late or exactly ‘on the dot’ (on time.) We might turn up with friends and perhaps already having had a drink or two.
Example: I can't wait to turn up at the birthday bash this weekend!
To Go All Out
‘Going all out’ means making an extravagant effort or putting in maximum energy into planning a celebration.
Example: "For her graduation, she decided to go all out and organize a spectacular party."
To Paint the Town Red
I thought this was an old fashioned term, but Doja Cat made a song called ‘Paint the town red.’ Anyway, if you paint the town red it means you go out and have a wild and exciting night out on the town.
Example: We're going to paint the town red to celebrate the end of exams!
An Afterparty
This is a party after the main party or event. Usually the afterparty is a bit secretive, exclusive and isn’t accessible to everybody who attended the main party. It also usually goes on well into the night.
Example: The real fun begins at the afterparty – make sure you're on the guest list!
A Plus One
If your invitation contains a ‘plus one’ it means that you can bring a guest to the party. Often wedding party invites have a plus one.
Example: I got a plus one for the office holiday party. Who should I invite?
To Crash a Party
Crashing a party is attending a party without being invited. This is perhaps acceptable when you’re a teenager, but beyond that it’s just considered a bit rude. It comes from the expression ‘to gatecrash.’
To Let Your Hair Down
Letting your hair down is relaxing and enjoying yourself and forgetting about your normal, dull life. When you let your hair down you might behave in a less restrained way.
Example: After a long week of work, I'm ready to let my hair down at the party on Friday night.
A Party Animal
Most of us have come across a real party animal. They’re the ones who are usually total extroverts and love attending social events. Imagine a supercharged social butterfly; that’s a party animal.
Example: Jane is a true party animal – she never misses a chance to dance and have a good time.
The Life and Soul of the Party
The person who brings energy and excitement to a gathering is the life and soul of the party. They are usually the one who stays out the latest and parties the hardest
Example: Sarah is always the life and soul of any party, getting everyone on the dance floor.
To Throw a Party
If you a throw a party it means that you organise and host a social gathering.
Example: Lisa decided to throw a surprise party for her friend’s 30th birthday.
