Here are three useful slang terms that you can use to impress your English speaking friends! These are widely used throughout American culture and media.

• Sketchy (adjective): someone or something that seems strange, bad or potentially dangerous

Situation: Two friends talking about a party

Val: Are you going to the party at Tom’s?
Frances: Probably not.                                                     
Val: Why not?
Frances: He lives in a sketchy neighborhood. Last time I left his place to go home, I thought I was going to get robbed.
Val: Then come with me. We’ll be safer if we’re together.                                

Explanation:  In this example, Frances calls the neighborhood “sketchy,” which means she thinks it might be dangerous.

• To throw shade on/at someone – to publicly show disapproval, disrespect, or dislike for someone but often in an indirect way

Context: Two friends are talking about Hollywood actresses

Kendall: Did you hear what Reese Witherspoon said when she accepted her award last night? She totally threw shade at Kim Kardashian.
Dina: No, what did she say?
Kendall: She said that it is possible to make it in Hollywood without doing a reality show, and if you ever made a sex tape, you should be embarrassed about it!
Dina: Woah!
Kendall: Yes, and of course everyone knew who she was talking about.
Dina: I think actresses like to throw shade at each other!

Explanation: In this situation, Reese Witherspoon indirectly criticized Kim Kardashian as being famous only because she has a reality show and made a sex tape early on in her career (which made her famous).

• To be (all) set – to be ready or prepared for something

Context: Two friends planning to go out

Kathy (on the phone): “Hey Jane, I’m on my way and I’ll be there in about 10 minutes to pick you up.

Jane: “No problem.  I’m all set and ready to go.”

Explanation: Jane is ready to go once Kathy arrives at her house.