Keep it on the DL (down-low)
It's a secret
I'm interviewing at another company, so keep it on the DL, okay?
You're whispering to a coworker that you're interviewing elsewhere, and you don't want your manager to find out.
In practice it means keep something secret or low-profile, usually because you don't want people gossiping or you're not ready to make it public. It can range from harmless (a surprise party) to more serious (private relationship or job plans), so the tone depends on context. Saying "on the DL" sounds casual and slightly conspiratorial, like you're asking for discretion between friends. "DL" is an abbreviation for "down-low," which became especially common in American English through music, pop culture, and everyday slang in the late 1990s and 2000s.
"Keep it on the DL (down-low)" does not mean keep it short, don't get too excited, keep it moving. It specifically means "It's a secret".
Why Learn English expressions that make you sound native?
🎯 Why Learn English Expressions and Idioms
You can study English grammar for years, ace vocabulary tests, and still sound awkward in real conversations. The difference between textbook English and native fluency isn't grammar rules — it's expressions. Native English speakers communicate through idioms, phrasal verbs, and fixed expressions that have meanings far beyond their literal words. If you've ever heard 'break a leg', 'beat around the bush', or 'the ball is in your court' and needed a moment to process, this course fills that gap. Real English fluency means understanding not just words, but the expressions that carry cultural meaning and natural flow.
👤 Who This Course Is For
This course is perfect for intermediate English learners (A2-B1 level) who have solid grammar foundations but want to sound more natural, international professionals working in English-speaking environments who need to understand workplace idioms, students preparing for immersion in English-speaking countries, and English learners frustrated by the gap between their textbook knowledge and real conversations. You should be comfortable with basic English conversation and ready to expand your expressive range with authentic native expressions.
📚 What You'll Learn
Master dozens of essential English expressions used daily by native speakers. Learn classic idioms like 'bite the bullet' (face a difficult situation), 'spill the beans' (reveal a secret), 'under the weather' (feeling ill), and 'once in a blue moon' (very rarely). Understand common phrasal verbs like 'figure out', 'catch up', 'put up with', and 'come across'. Discover conversational expressions like 'you bet', 'no kidding', 'that makes sense', and 'I can't complain'. Each expression includes detailed explanations of both literal and figurative meanings, usage contexts, formality levels, and common mistakes to avoid.