Believe it or not

Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.

12 January 2026

We use this expression to introduce something surprising or unusual, but true.

Written: Yes

Spoken: Yes

Formal: Yes

Informal: Yes

Example 1

What did you do at the weekend, then?

Well, believe it or not, my boyfriend took me to New York as a surprise!

Wow! Lucky you.

Example 2

Have you seen the new James Bond film?