British Phrases/Slang
In writing, colloquialism works by using common terms and phrases to create a sense of authenticity and informality, which can enhance dialogue. For this reason, I'm making a short list of what I've seen and heard in British television, film, and books.
Taking the mickey (out of someone): Teasing or making fun of someone.
Example: "Are you serious, or are you just taking the mickey?"
Knickers in a twist: Getting upset or overly worried about something.
Example: "Don't get your knickers in a twist; it's just a minor issue."
Full monty: The whole thing or complete package.
Example: "I want the full monty – don't leave anything out."
On the blink: Not working properly.
Example: "My computer's on the blink; I need to get it fixed."
Sod's law: The idea that if something can go wrong, it will.
Example: "Of course, it started raining right after I washed the car – sod's law."
Off one's trolley: Crazy or insane.
Example: "Did you hear what he said? He must be off his trolley."
Lost the plot: Became confused or irrational.
Example: "I have no idea what he's talking about; he's completely lost the plot."
Bob's your uncle (and Fanny's your aunt): It's basically 'there you have it'. It is used to convey that something is very easy or straightforward, and that success or a positive outcome is guaranteed. The addition of "and Fanny's your aunt" is often used for humor and emphasis, without changing the meaning significantly.
Example: "Just turn the key, and Bob's your uncle – the car starts."
Example 2: "Just follow these instructions, and Bob's your uncle, and Fanny's your aunt, you're done!"
Taking the biscuit: Going too far or being unreasonable.
Example: "Asking me to work on a Sunday? That really takes the biscuit!"
Arse over elbow: Tumbling or falling over.
Example: "He tripped on the pavement and went arse over elbow."
Pop one's clogs: Die or pass away.
Example: "If I don't get enough sleep, I feel like I might pop my clogs."
Spend a penny: Go to the bathroom.
Example: "I need to spend a penny before we leave."
Throw a spanner in the works: Cause a disruption or problem.
Example: "The unexpected delay really threw a spanner in the works."
Throw a wobbly: Have a temper tantrum or get upset.
Example: "She'll throw a wobbly if she finds out we lost her keys."
Chuffed to bits: Extremely pleased or proud.
Example: "She was chuffed to bits when she got the promotion."
Flog a dead horse: Waste time on a hopeless cause.
Example: "Trying to fix that old computer is like flogging a dead horse."
Up the duff: Pregnant.
Example: "She's up the duff and expecting a baby in the spring."
On the pull: Trying to attract someone romantically.
Example: "He's always on the pull when we go out to the bars."
Example: "He's dressed up tonight; he's definitely on the pull."
Pear-shaped: To go wrong or fail unexpectedly.
Example: "After weeks of planning, the project went completely pear-shaped when we realized we had underestimated the budget."
The bee's knees and the cat's whiskers: Something excellent, outstanding, or the best of its kind.
Example: "This new phone is the bee's knees and the cat's whiskers – it has all the latest features."
All mouth and no trousers: Someone who talks confidently or boasts but fails to follow through with actions or achievements.
Example: "He talks a big game, but when it comes to actually doing something, he's all mouth and no trousers."
A storm in a teacup: A small or insignificant issue that is blown out of proportion.
Example: "Don't worry about that argument; it's just a storm in a teacup."
Have a butcher's (at something): To take a look at something; derived from "butcher's hook," which rhymes with "look."
Example: "Can I have a butcher's at your new phone?"
A stone's throw away: Very close in proximity; a short distance.
Example: "The shop is just a stone's throw away from here."
Bee in your bonnet: An idea or obsession that someone can't stop talking about.
Example: "He's got a bee in his bonnet about recycling; he talks about it all the time."
Mum's the word: Keep a secret; don't say anything.
Example: "I know about the surprise party, but don't worry, mum's the word!"
Cut the mustard: To meet a required standard or expectation.
Example: "His performance didn't quite cut the mustard, so he didn't get the promotion."
Bugger all: Nothing at all; absolutely nothing.
Example: "I've got bugger all to do this weekend."
Bag it up: Prepare or get ready.
Example: "Bag it up, mate – we're heading out."
On the ball: Alert, attentive, or quick to understand.
Example: "She's always on the ball at work."
Bits and bobs: Various small items or things.
Example: "I picked up a few bits and bobs from the store."
Knock it on the head: Stop doing something or take a break.
Example: "Let's knock it on the head for today; we can continue tomorrow."
Taking the piss: Teasing or mocking someone.
Example: "Are you serious, or are you just taking the piss?"
I'm pissed: Drunk or intoxicated from alcohol.
Example: "I had a few too many drinks at the pub, and now I'm pissed."
Example 2: "At the pub quiz, Sarah confidently shouted out 'Elephant' as the answer to every question. When asked why, she just grinned and said, 'I may be a bit pissed, but who doesn't love elephants? They're the answer to everything!'"
Bent as a nine-bob note: Dishonest or fraudulent.
Example: "That deal sounds bent as a nine-bob note."
Give us a bell: Call or contact me.
Example: "If you need anything, give us a bell."
Tickety-boo: Going well or in good order.
Example: "Everything is tickety-boo with the project."
Budge up: Move over or make room.
Example: "Budge up; make some space for me on the sofa."
Flog it: Sell or get rid of.
Example: "I need to flog my old clothes at the market."
Bloody hell: An expression of surprise or frustration.
Example: "Bloody hell, did you see the size of that spider?"
Full of beans: Someone is lively, energetic, and full of enthusiasm. It is often used to describe someone who is in high spirits or has a lot of energy.
Example: "Goodness, you're full of beans this morning!"
Wind your neck in: To tell someone to stop being nosy, interfering, or to mind their own business.
Example: "Maybe you should wind your neck in and not jump to conclusions about my friendships."
Wind-up merchant: Refers to someone who enjoys teasing, provoking, or playing pranks on others to elicit a reaction.
Example: "Oh, don't take it seriously; he's just a bit of a wind-up merchant."
Can't be arsed: Is used to convey a lack of motivation, interest, or willingness to do something.
Example: “I can’t be arsed with doing the assignments.”
What a load of poppycock: Is an expression used to dismiss something as nonsense or absurd.
Example: “They are changing the offside rule? What a load of poppycock!”
Chocka: Is short for “chockablock”, which is most often used when talking about something that’s completely packed, like a jammed road.
Example: “I’ll be home in ten, love, hit a chocka!”
A few sandwiches short of a picnic: Is a humorous way of saying that someone is not very intelligent or mentally sound. It can also imply that the person may be lacking common sense.
Example: “Perhaps it’s best not to task them with this. They’re a few sandwiches short of a picnic.”
To bodge: Is to mend, or repair something clumsily.
Example: "Bob forgot his toolbox, so he had to bodge a fix for the leaky pipe using chewing gum until the plumber arrived."
That's rubbish: When something is of poor quality, disappointing, or not good.
Example: "I thought the film was rubbish – the plot was weak, and the acting was terrible."
Happy as a pig in muck: Very happy.
Example: "I'm as happy as a pig in muck with all these new books to read."
Were ya born in a barn: Is used as a playful or humorous way to chide someone for not closing a door behind them.
Example: “I just got it warm in here, were ya born in a barn?”
Not give a monkey’s (uncle or toss): Not caring at all about something, being indifferent, or not attaching any importance to a particular situation.
Example: "I don't give a monkey's about what they think."
Making a right pig’s ear of something: Refers to a task or situation that has been poorly handled or executed.
Example: "You've made a right pig's ear of that plumbing job!"
You’re peckin’ me ‘ead: When someone is annoying, bothering, or getting on your nerves.
Example: "Would you give it a rest, you’re peckin’ me ‘ead!"
Curtain twitcher: Refers to a person who is overly nosy or prying, someone who frequently peers out of their window, often through the curtains, to observe the activities or affairs of their neighbors.
Example: "She's a real curtain twitcher, always watching and commenting on everyone else's business."
Half past: Is a way of expressing the time, particularly when indicating that it is 30 minutes past the hour on a clock.
Example: If someone says, "It's half past three," they are stating that the time is 3:30.
Innit: Is a contraction of "isn't it" and is often used to seek agreement or confirmation. It's an informal way to tag a statement, turning it into a question or seeking validation.
Example: "It's a nice day, innit?"
Smarmy: Is used to describe someone who comes across as scheming or untrustworthy.
Example: "I don't trust him – he's a smarmy geezer."
Swot: Is used to describe someone who studies hard, is diligent in their academic pursuits, or is generally focused on their work or studies. It is similar to "nerd" or "geek" in American English. It's sometimes used in a mildly derogatory manner to refer to someone who is perceived as overly studious.
Example: "She's always buried in her books, a real swot."
Bagsy: Is used as a way of claiming or reserving something for oneself. It's similar to saying "dibs" in American English.
Example: "Does anyone want thi—"
"Bagsy!"
Builder's tea: Refers to a strongly brewed cup of tea that is typically enjoyed by construction workers or builders during their breaks. It's characterized by being a simple, no-nonsense cup of tea with milk and sugar, often designed to provide a quick and energizing break.
Example: "A bacon sandwich and a builder's tea. Now that's a proper breakfast."
Dog's dinner (or dog's breakfast): Is often used to describe something that is disorganized, messy, or done in a haphazard and unattractive manner. It can refer to both physical appearance and, more commonly, to a situation or event that is poorly executed.
Example: "You've made a real dog's dinner of this room!"
Kip: Refers to sleep or a short nap. It's a casual way to express the act of resting or taking a quick snooze.
Example: "I'm feeling tired, so I'm going to have a quick kip before we head out for the evening."
