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Early in my career teaching English to business professionals, I watched a student respond to good news from a client with “That’s the bomb, bro!” The silence on the video call told the whole story. Since then, I’ve learned that while “That’s great” is a safe default, the best speakers know when to shift gears — from “That’s wonderful” in a formal email to “That rocks!” with close colleagues. The difference isn’t just tone; it’s relationship intelligence.
You’ll covers 30+ tested ways to express enthusiasm and approval in English, organized by situation. You’ll learn which phrases fit professional meetings, which work with friends, and which idioms sound natural versus awkward. By the end, you’ll have options for almost any context where you need to celebrate someone’s news or idea.
Key Takeaways
- “That’s great” is neutral and safe in most contexts, but native speakers adjust based on relationship and setting.
- Formal options — “That’s wonderful,” “That’s commendable,” “That’s impressive” — suit professional emails and first meetings.
- Casual options — “That’s awesome,” “That rocks,” “That’s cool” — fit relaxed conversations with colleagues and friends.
- Idiomatic expressions — “That’s the cherry on top,” “That’s the real McCoy” — add personality but require context to avoid sounding forced.
- One-word intensifiers — “Excellent,” “Fantastic,” “Impressive” — work as standalone responses when you’re in a hurry.
When to Say “That’s Great”
The phrase “That’s great” (or its variants) fits four main situations in English conversation:
- Acknowledging achievements: When someone completes a project, wins a competition, or reaches a milestone.
- Celebrating good news: Job offers, engagements, recoveries from illness, or positive life changes.
- Encouraging effort: Recognizing hard work, improvement, or dedication toward a goal.
- Affirming ideas or proposals: When a colleague suggests a solution, plan, or direction you support.
Key rule: The tone and word choice must match the seriousness of the news. Saying “That’s awesome!” when someone gets a promotion is perfect; saying it when someone recovers from surgery might sound dismissive. Match your enthusiasm level to the event.
Formal Ways to Express Enthusiasm
Use these phrases in professional settings, formal emails, or when speaking to someone you don’t know well. They signal respect and sincere appreciation without slang or overfamiliarity.
| Phrase | Best used for… | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| That’s wonderful. | Good news of any kind; slightly warmer than “great” | Warm formal |
| That’s excellent. | Quality work, achievement, or outcome | Professional |
| That’s impressive. | Accomplishments, especially when they involve skill or effort | Professional |
| That’s commendable. | Recognizing effort or integrity, often in ethical contexts | Formal |
| That’s remarkable. | Unusual or noteworthy achievements | Formal |
| That’s outstanding. | Exceptional results or performance | Professional |
| That’s a tremendous accomplishment. | Major milestones or awards | Warm formal |
| I’m impressed. | Direct acknowledgment of quality | Professional |
Example — formal email:
Dear Priya,
Thank you for submitting the quarterly report ahead of schedule. That’s excellent work, and I appreciate your diligence. The analysis is particularly thorough.
Best regards,
Sarah
Casual and Friendly Ways to Say “That’s Great”
Among friends, colleagues you know well, and in relaxed environments, these casual phrases are natural and warm. They build connection without sounding stiff.
| Phrase | Who uses it | Register |
|---|---|---|
| That’s awesome! | Friends, colleagues, teammates | Casual positive |
| That’s cool. | Peers, younger speakers | Casual |
| That rocks! | Friends, casual colleagues | Casual enthusiastic |
| That’s amazing. | Friends, family (good news) | Warm casual |
| That’s brilliant. (British) | Friends, colleagues | Casual positive |
| Nice one! | Peers, teammates | Very casual |
| That’s the way to go. | Encouragement to friends | Casual supportive |
| Ace! | Sports/gaming contexts, friends | Casual enthusiastic |
Example — text message: “Just finished the project proposal! That’s amazing – let’s grab coffee to celebrate.”
Casual combo: Native speakers often pair a casual opening with a follow-up question: “That’s cool! How did you manage that?” or “That rocks! Tell me more.” This shows genuine interest, not just automatic approval.
Idiomatic Expressions of Approval
These phrases add color and personality, but use them carefully — they work best when there’s already rapport or when the situation is lighthearted.
| Idiom | Meaning | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| That’s the cherry on top. | Perfect final touch; the best part of an already good situation | When good news arrives at exactly the right time |
| That’s the icing on the cake. | Bonus excellence; improvement on something already great | Extra bonus or unexpected positive addition |
| That’s the real McCoy. | That’s genuine and authentic; the real thing | Recognizing true quality or honesty |
| That’s the bee’s knees. | That’s excellent (old-fashioned, playful) | Joking or nostalgic tone; among friends |
| That’s the whole nine yards. | That’s complete and comprehensive | Appreciating a thorough or complete job |
| That’s what the doctor ordered. | Exactly what was needed | When a solution perfectly fits a problem |
| That’s music to my ears. | That’s wonderful to hear | Good news you’ve been hoping for |
| That’s a slam dunk. | That’s certain success; a guaranteed win | Appreciating a sure-thing decision or outcome |
Example — conversation:
Ana: “The client approved the full proposal budget.”
Leo: “That’s the cherry on top! We can hire the extra designer we needed.”
Professional Responses to Proposals and Ideas
In meetings and workplace communication, you often need to affirm someone’s suggestion or decision. These phrases signal agreement without unnecessary elaboration.
| Situation | Response |
|---|---|
| Approving a colleague’s proposal | “That’s an excellent idea. Let’s move forward with it.” |
| Supporting a plan in a meeting | “That aligns well with our goals. I’m in favor of that approach.” |
| Recognizing good problem-solving | “That’s a smart solution. I hadn’t thought of that angle.” |
| Affirming a decision | “That’s the right call. Good judgment.” |
| Praising effort in a project | “That’s solid work. The attention to detail really shows.” |
Expressing Enthusiasm in Different Contexts
Different settings call for slightly different language. Here’s how native speakers adapt:
| Context | Example Response |
|---|---|
| Over email (formal) | “That’s wonderful news. Congratulations on your promotion!” |
| Text or instant message | “That’s awesome! 🎉 So excited for you!” |
| Video call with team | “That’s fantastic — nice work on hitting the deadline.” |
| Quick hallway chat | “That rocks! Congrats.” |
| One-on-one conversation | “That’s really impressive. How did you pull that off?” |
| Public recognition (meeting/event) | “That’s an outstanding achievement. Well deserved.” |
Common Mistakes
✗ Incorrect: I’m very sad that’s awesome news, you know that’s cool though.
✓ Correct: That’s awesome! I’m really happy for you.
Why: Don’t mix registers (sad + awesome) or ramble. One clear statement works better.
✗ Incorrect: That’s great! (said in a flat, bored tone)
✓ Correct: That’s great! (with warmth and genuine interest in the person’s face/voice)
Why: Sincerity matters. Flat delivery makes approval sound insincere or sarcastic.
✗ Incorrect: That’s fantastic — so what else is going on? (changing topic immediately)
✓ Correct: That’s fantastic! Tell me more about what happened.
Why: Pair approval with follow-up interest. Native speakers ask a second question to show genuine care.
Real conversation: Responding to good news
Kenji: I just got offered the job!
Sofia: That’s excellent! Congratulations — this is what you’ve been working toward all year!
Kenji: Thanks. I’m still in shock.
Sofia: You deserve it. When do you start?
Quick Quiz
Which response fits each situation?
- Your boss tells you about a completed project. → ________
- Your friend gets engaged. → ________
- A colleague suggests a clever solution in a meeting. → ________
- You receive a thoughtful gift from an acquaintance. → ________
- A family member recovers from surgery. → ________
Answers: 1. “That’s excellent work.” · 2. “That’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you!” · 3. “That’s a smart idea — let’s go with that.” · 4. “That’s very kind of you — thank you.” · 5. “That’s great to hear. I’m so relieved.”
Related Articles
- ↑ Master Pillar: English Speaking
- ↑ Back to pillar: English Expressions (Pillar)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “That’s great” formal or informal?
“That’s great” is neutral — it works in both formal and informal settings. However, in very formal professional contexts (first meeting with a CEO, formal letter), “That’s wonderful” or “That’s excellent” sound slightly more polished.
What’s the difference between “That’s great” and “That’s wonderful”?
“That’s wonderful” is slightly warmer and more emotional, often used for personal good news or achievements. “That’s great” is more general-purpose. “That’s excellent” emphasizes quality of work.
Can I say “That’s awesome” at work?
Yes, if you know your colleagues well and the workplace culture is casual. With clients, new business contacts, or formal settings, stick to “That’s excellent” or “That’s wonderful.”
How do I respond if someone says “That’s great” to my news?
Simple replies include: “Thanks!” · “I’m so excited!” · “Thank you — I’m relieved it worked out.” The key is to acknowledge their kindness briefly and move the conversation forward.
What should I do if my tone doesn’t match my words?
Sincerity is crucial. If you say “That’s great!” but sound bored or disappointed, the person will sense the mismatch. Match your facial expression, voice tone, and word choice — all three must align.
Are idiomatic phrases like “That’s the bee’s knees” still used?
Rarely in everyday speech. They’re used playfully among close friends or in nostalgic/retro contexts. “That’s the cherry on top” and “That’s the icing on the cake” are still common, but most others are considered dated.
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