British English Phrases

I hope that you will take away from this page a greater understanding of common English as spoken by native speakers, and also find out why this language is so very fascinating.

During writing this I sometimes experienced great difficulty separating swear words from common words and phrases, as so integrated is the British language as spoken on the daily streets I know so very well. Please also see our Guide to British Swear Words, which is sort of complimentary, but not for the easily offended, nor minors.

There is absolutely no end to this page, but we have to start somewhere - and more content will be added monthly, so call back or bookmark. It is “Like Feeding Buns to Bears”. Enjoy!

Phrase	Usage	Meaning	Comment
3 parts cut	He’s 3 parts cut already	Drunk	Noticeably drunk, but still somewhat in control of himself
6 of 1 and half a dozen of the other	A comparison	It is the same thing, just looked at differently
6^th sense	He has a…	Something unknowable	Refers to the fact we all have only 5 senses, and a ‘6^th sense’ comes from the supernatural - or another skill most people do not possess. Talking with dead people is an example, but this phrase usually means an intuition … like: not getting on a plane, and later learning it crashed and all aboard were killed.
50-50	I don’t know who will win, it’s 50/50	Undecided	Cantonese: ‘Mmm sup, mmm sup’ or ‘yut boon boon’
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush			Better to be sure of one thing than risk all for something larger that may never happen
A blinding flash on the road to Damascus	It was like…	Moment of inspiration, something from the gods	The impossible has happened, and I now see the whole truth. A Biblical reference. A miracle. Real meaning: Now I see and understand everything
A bull in a China shop	Like…	Act too quickly and risk destroying everything	You can well imagine the damage a charging bull would inflict in a shop selling rare and precious porcelain. Sometimes people behave like this.
A chip off the old block		Just like his predecessors	Usually refers to a son following after his father
A stitch in time saves nine			Act early to avoid having to make a larger repair at a later date
A gift at half the price		Too expensive	Mildly offensive
A gift at twice the price		Much too expensive	Medium offensive. Here it is made more cynical by using a negative connotation. British people (Excepting Lawyers) often use this for emphasis. Americans will probably not understand this and take its literal meaning.
A little bird told me		Not saying where information came from	If someone doesn't want to say where they got their information from, they can say that ‘a little bird told them’. Used in confidence to advise a good friend.
A monkey in a banana boat	There’s a monkey in the banana boat	Something unknown is causing a problem	You know something is wrong, but cannot decide what is actually causing the problem. Often used to indicate something quite bizarre going wrong – as you see the effects, but remain helpless to determine what the real problem is. Windows operating systems often employ a lot of ‘Monkeys’ within their programmes.
A month of Sundays			A month of Sundays is a long period of time: I haven't seen her in a month of Sundays.
A nods as good as a wink to a blind horse		Used to signify that what you do will not be seen or discovered	Popularised by Eric Idle from a sketch in Monty Python. Well, obviously a blind horse cannot tell whether you are ‘nodding’ or ‘winking’. However, this implies a mild con; as in selling somebody something they do not want, or something that is basically useless.
A penny for your thoughts	Often: “A penny for them?”		This idiom is used as a way of asking someone what they are thinking about. You are asking them to share their worries with you.
A pretty penny		Very expensive
A problem shared is a problem halved			If you talk about your problems, it will make you feel better and lessen your burden.
A right pickle	He’s left us in a right pickle	No easy solution can be found	Any problem, minor or serious, that is very confusing and difficult to resolve
A steal			If something is a steal, it costs much less than it is really worth.
A spare prick at a wedding		Surplus to requirements, useless	An insult and slightly offensive. Includes the swearword ‘prick’
A textbook case			A textbook case, it is a classic or common example of something.
A Champion without a cause		Someone who wastes his true talents	This person is doing the wrong thing in life. If he changed, then he would be very successful. Usually used when somebody highlights a worthy cause that nobody else supports. Sometimes they lay the foundations for future generations, heralding new and important considerations or issues in life. At the beginning of the Boar War you may have called Florence Nightingale this…
About as useful as a 5-bob note		Worthless. Totally unsuitable for use in that way	USA: As useful as a chocolate teapot British: ‘bob refers to a shilling, and a ‘5-bob note’ refers to a ‘crown’ currency (LSD). In China these would be Fen (1.10^th Jiao)
And one for yourself			In UK people tend to buy a round of drinks for everybody at their table – we do not use the ‘add it all to the bill’ method. If you say this after ordering, but before payment, then the Landlord of the pub has the chance to have a drink at your expense. It is considered polite.
As queer as a 5-bob note		A homosexual	In UK, 5-bob notes only existed in Ireland, not Great Britain. However, before ‘Gay’ became popular usage, homosexuals were called ‘Queers’. It means something we do not like much, but is probably ok in their lives.
As rough as a vultures crutch	I feel…	A very bad hangover	Vultures have very red behinds, which are put through all manner of awful debris when they land to feed. This is analogous to a hangover
Away with the fairies		Slightly mad, talking about something totally unrelated	Someone who follows their own path, and is considered to be mentally unstable, but not dangerous.
A watched pot never boils			Some things work out in their own time, so being impatient and constantly checking will just make things seem longer.
Bakers dozen	A Baker’s dozen	13	12 = 1 dozen
Bladdered	I’m bladdered	Drunk	Refers to the habit of drunken people needing to use the urinals a lot
Black sheep	He’s the black sheep of the family	Someone who enjoys the pleasures of life	Somebody the greater family disapprove of. Me probably hehe!
Blighty	Direct replacement word	England, Great Britain, or United Kingdom.	What British people traditionally call their home Country. A left over word from the days of the British Empire.
Bonnet 1	I love your bonnet	A Girls summer hat
Bonnet 2	Open the bonnet	Engine cover for a British car	USA: ‘Pop the hood’. Here ‘Hood’ and ‘Bonnet’ mean exactly the same thing
Bostin	That’s food is Bostin!	The very best
Brained	Drunk
Brass monkey	It’s cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey	It is very cold	Nowadays has mild sexual connotations, mainly through ignorance. Originally from the British navy; where cannon balls were piled inside a brass square known as a monkey. In cold weather the monkey contracted and the balls would fall off
Brassic	I am brassic	I have no money	I have only brass coins
Canned	Drunk
Can’t see the wood for the trees		Not able to find an obvious and simple solution	Often used when somebody is involved too deeply in a project, that they miss a far easier way of completing it. Can be insulting and / or imply stupidity
Cat got your tongue	What’s up? A cat got your tongue?	Be silent to hide something	Usually used when a person suddenly stops talking, often when somebody else says something to them. It implies you caught somebody lying and they are thinking about how to reply
Caught out	He got caught out	Do something and be found out	Often a minor indiscretion. Originally a cricket term (Cricket is an English bat and ball game)
Clean conscience	I have a…	I have nothing to worry about	I am aware that people may think I did something wrong, but they do not have all the facts. I know I did nothing wrong!
Come back to haunt you	Don’t do that or it will come back to haunt you	An ill conceived action that later has damaging effects
Cool	He’s cool	Not a problem	Applies to a good person or attitude within any group of people
Con artist / con merchant	He’s a…	A stealthy robber	Someone who befriends you in order to steal your money, or something valuable
Cover your back	Make sure you cover your back	Be sure to keep yourself safe	Can also be used as “You do it and I’ll cover your back” meaning someone is protecting you whilst you are occupied.
Curved ball	Here’s a curved ball…	Totally unexpected	American from Baseball. A great skill that sees a straight thrown ball that suddenly moves in the air before it is hit. The English cricket game has similar experts. You should use it as meaning: an unknown ball coming from a side angle, and spinning. Usage: Most notably to take an existing project into a new direction.
Dog Rough	He’s looking dog rough these days	Alt: I feel dog-rough (Implying I have a hangover)	Not attractive, unclean – but more often applied to mental states rather than physical condition.
Doing ‘time’		In prison	Originally USA, but widely used in UK
(Doing) Porridge	As above		Old British tern for being in prison
Don’t cry over spilt milk		Stop worrying about the past	What has happened has happened, and you cannot change it. Best to forget it, learn, and get on with your life
Don’t notice the beam in somebody else’s eye if there is a mote in your own.		Don’t criticise somebody if you have done even the smallest thing wrong	Hear ‘beam’ means a large piece of wood, whilst a ‘mote’ refers to the smallest imaginable piece of wood. Here ‘mote’ means ‘mite’. Originally a verse from the Bible
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket		Spread your valuables around	Do not put everything you have into one risky venture – if it goes bad you will loose everything. Better you commit a little in several places. A good business strategy
Don’t say I didn’t warn you		You ignored my advice	I am sure this will go bad for you, but you ignore what I tell you as a friend. Therefore my conscience is clean.
Don’t teach your Grandmother how to suck eggs		Don’t talk about things you don’t fully understand	Normally used when a child tries to tell and experienced adult how to do something. It implies that sometimes there could be problem the child has no comprehension of, but the adult recognised the potential threat.
Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water		Keep the precious thing safe	You will loose the most precious thing for the sake of keeping everything tidy
Don’t run before you can walk		Finish learning before progressing	Alt. Don’t run before you can crawl. Meaning: you need to learn everything to be competent in all situations
Dosh	I have dosh today	Money	Dosh and Money mean exactly the same thing
Dosser	He’s a dosser	Somebody that is no good	Often refers to somebody who lives without working, and scrounges off others
Drop-dead gorgeous	She’s…	Extremely beautiful or sexy	One of the greatest compliments a boy can give a girl. Unfortunately most girls do not appreciate this and think the boy common. Best used between males when talking about females they are admiring.
Dude	Hey dude!	A man	A favoured person, normally a man
Dump	This is a dump 2. I’m going for a dump		This place is not very nice, it is like a rubbish tip. I am going to excrete
FAB	Pronounced as separate capital letters	Will comply	Comes from originally the British TV program Thunderbirds where it was used to imply understanding and compliance with instructions. Because of its similarity to ‘fabulous’, it is nowadays sometimes used in this context instead
Following his father		Acting like, or living his life exactly the way his father did
Gaff	My gaff	Home	Usually a temporary home of any description
Get the fired	I got fired today	Become unemployed
Get the sack	I got sacked today	Become unemployed
Get to the bottom of things’		Find out what is going on	This usually refers to peoples schemes. ‘Plumb the depths’ is very similar, but usually refers to problems. Can be interchanged depending upon exact situation
Give birth to a dead rat.			This is a boy phrase, and implies that something atrociously smelly will soon be deposited in a toilet. This often occurs after a night out on the town.
Glass ceiling		A point from which you can go no higher	Usually used to refer to women being excluded from top company positions, although in theory there is nothing stopping them
Go flying	Alt. sent flying	Fall badly	Used when somebody physically trips you up when you are running. Can be used in a theoretical way.
Grease lightning		Exceptionally quick	Alt. Greased lightning (More USA)
Guest of Her Majesty’s Government	He’s a…	In prison
Gut feeling	I have a … about this	Something that is not logical, but explains the truth	Someone has an extra sense that indicated there is more than something appears to be. See: ‘Sixth sense’. Often used in Hollywood Cop movies.
Guys	Hi guys	Term of familiarity	Can be used for boys, or girls, or a mix. Take it to mean friends or inner circle
Hair of the dog	Technically: “The hair of the dog that bit you”	What hurt you will heal you	This refers to drinking way too much alcohol the time before now. You have a serious hang-over, and decide to cure it by having another drink. It often works, at least in the short term.
Heah, Heay, Hey, Hey-up	Heah Jonno!	Use instead of ‘Hi’	Many versions and spellings of this, particularly in UK and California
Heart of stone	My lover has a…	A person who has no feelings for his lover	Someone who enters into a sexual relationship for monetary or other personal gain from the partner. There is no love here.
Hoisted on his own petard	He was…	Failed to reach his own standards	Here ‘standard’ means ‘petard’ or pointed motif used in battle to carry your flag. Often means you lost, and failed to achieve standards you previously set for others.
How’s your Father.	That’s a real “How’s your Father”		Two meaning to this phrase, the original being a statement “How’s your Father” referring to a sexual indiscretion with somebody. Now more widely used to imply that a needlessly complicated situation has developed, which could have been easily avoided. In both instances, the reference is that the sexual liaison has resulted in the birth of an unplanned child.
Hunk	He’s a hunk		A girl word used to identify a boy they consider to be really attractive. This usually implies he is also of slightly rugged and manly appearance.
Hung-over	Hangover		This is how you feel when you drank far too much alcohol the night before. The only real cure is: lots of water, sucrose (Simple sugars), and time.
I did nothing wrong	I know…	As is	Sometimes implies the person could have done more, and knowingly did not. However, it can also be a statement of innocent fact.
In for a penny, in for a Pound			To commit wholeheartedly to something. It means that if you are going to do something, then you may as well go all the way and do it properly. Often used when the outcome is as yet unclear.
Inner wheel or inner circle		The people that actually control something	Usually applied to committees. See ‘steering group’
Jack of all trades	…master of none	He can do everything, but not professionally	Meaning a person who can fix things, but is not professionally trained, and usually his work is of medium or poor quality.
Jump from the frying pan into the oven	As in a hard sentence in order to deter others from doing the same		Get out of one tricky situation only to be faced with another. Usually implies acting too quickly and not considering all the possible consequences
Kosher	I used ‘Kosher’ ingredients in this recipe. I got ‘Kosher’ builders in to do repairs to my home.	True, real, correct, reliable, certified.	As it should be. Americans use this word to indicate rock or sea salt = natural. It is actually a Jewish word that means holy meat slaughtered in a very specific way. Moslems do this slightly differently and call the results ‘Halal’. Kosher is now part of mainstream English language with similar usage to ‘Pukka’.
Labour of Love	Do something for love, not money		This often refers to a hobby or personal obsession. In the true sense it is when somebody sacrifices their own life and future prospects to look after an aged parent. However, it is used more widely and implies doing something for no reward.
Later than you think	Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think		This means something important has happened that you are not currently aware of. The example refers to having fun with a girl – who is now pregnant.
Leftfield		Something unusual	This now means something musically chilled, but literally means coming from the other side of life. Think artistic impression if you use this word
Lesser of 2 evils	It’s the…	Comparing 2 bad options; with no good one available	Neither solution is correct, but as we are today, this causes us less problems in the future.
Lesser of 2 halves	It’s the…	Arbitrary judgement	The lesser of two halves can mean that one similar option is better, (or worse) than another (Your perspective). Used when deciding what to do next
Like a fish out of water		Completely lost
Like feeding buns to bears		Something that is endless	Often used to signify there is no point in continuing to do something. If you feed buns to bears they will eat everything you have and still want more.
Like a moth to the flame		Cannot keep away from something harmful	Often used about men being attracted to dangerous women. Or being drawn to something they can never have or win. But they keep trying when any intelligent person would quit. Gambling would be a good example
Like a pot telling the kettle (it) is black		They are both as black as each other	We are thinking about old style solid fuel cookers here
Light-up			Light a cigarette.
Do you have a light?	Alt: Do you have a match?		Ask somebody if they have means for lighting a cigarette (Matches or lighter). There is a reply to the second version which is featured in our swearing section, but basically goes like this: “Yes, your face and my behind” – meaning ‘You are ugly’. It is a joke between friends, and the speaker should then produce matches or a lighter for his friend and light the cigarette for him.
Look what the cat’s dragged in	Alt: Look who the cat’s dragged in		Cats have a habit of depositing half eaten vermin at their owner’s feet. This phrase is used to refer to a person, usually a good friend, who may be looking a little under the weather. Normally used when someone is hung-over, or has not been seen for a long time.
Long-nosed, short-legged, long-tailed dog			A crocodile or alligator
Monica	Put your monica here	Name	Put your name here
Neck and neck	The horses are…	50-50	Either could win. It is very close between them
Neck of the Woods	This… or Your…	A location or place	Usage: “It’s been a long time since I’ve been to your neck of the woods”. Here I would be referring to a person’s: home, district, town or city. It is a bit vague, but relative to your interaction with the person or place in question.
Night Owl	He’s a real night-owl	Awake all night	Common daily usage for those poor souls like myself who are regularly awake all night long by choice. Does not apply to people who have to work all night, unless this is natural to them.
Nob		Short for Nobility	A mild insult aimed at Nobility, as spoken by common people. Usually infers someone in charge who does not understand what they are doing. Also refers to the head of the male sexual organ. Also used in board games such as Cribbage when ‘pegging’
Not a patch on…	He’s not a patch on…		The replacement (Usually a person) is nowhere near as good as the original. Mildly insulting.
Not big enough to swing a cat	This room is so small its not big enough to swing a cat	Small space	British people do not actually make a habit of swinging cats, in case you wondered. Whilst you are thinking about the animal, the actual reference is to the ‘Cat-of-nine-tails’, which is a particularly barbaric whip featuring 9 leather strips, each with a sharp piece of metal attached to the end, and similar to a cats claws. It was used as legitimate punishment in olden days. The phrase is used commonly in modern Britain, and references the cat as an animal.
Not for all the tea in China	I’m not doing that, not for all the tea in China!		Regardless of how great the rewards may be, I refuse to do it.
Nub-end		Butt end	The tip of a cigarette, as discarded after smoking.
Object lesson		A warning to others	Also ‘Abject lesson’ (USA).
Once in a blue moon		Very infrequently	Blue moon’s do actually occur, but they are extremely rare
Outside the box	You will have to think outside the box	Find a solution that is not normal	This implies thinking in an abstract and apparently unrelated way in order to solve a problem. Only very gifted people can see these solutions
Out of the mouth of babe’s		When adults learn something from children	An obvious solution to a problem children can see, but adults miss
Quicker than a whores drawers	He was in and out …	Very fast
Paper tiger		Not harmful	Refers to a person who thinks they are threatening, when in fact they are ineffectual
Pavement	Cross the pavement	Walk where you should in a city	USA: Sidewalk. In British English a side-walker is someone up to no good, and probably a thief looking for an opening
Plant a seed	I planted a seed in his mind	Give someone a small introduction to something a lot larger	The emphasis here it that they will find the information interesting, and follow it to where the teacher or person wants them to end up
Plumb the depths	I’ll have to…	Examine the smallest details	Means the same as ‘Get to the bottom of things’, but used more for problems concerning when things go wrong
Porridge	Doing porridge	In prison	British use only. Normally: a cereal breakfast of Scottish origin
Pukka	Alt: Pucker		The best, cannot be bettered. It is derived from the British Raj in India
Pulling Strings	I will have to pull a few strings to arrange this for you		Refers to puppets and puppet masters. Is often used regarding companies, governments, or individuals. It can also be used where either a man or a woman is the dominant and controlling partner in any relationship, and the spouse will not act without consent.
Puppet government			A national government that claims to be one thing, whilst it is actually controlled by someone else. See ‘Pulling Strings’
Put your money where your mouth is	Cantonese: mo tien mo de gong	Stop talking and take action	Instead of talking about doing something, put your money into the project and do it
Put a sock in it		Shut up	Tell someone to stop talking
Put your face on	We can’t leave yet, I haven’t put my face on	Apply make-up	Common speaking for Western girls taking hours to apply make-up. Also includes trying on numerous dresses and hairstyling. Sensible boys will just go down the pub and wait until their partner arrives – remembering to compliment her on how great she now looks – even if you can’t see any difference from before!
Right hand man	He’s my right hand man	He is my number 2	You can deal with him as you would do me. Usually implies complete trust and loyalty
Rock-up	He rocked-up	To arrive in a casual manner
Roger	Roger and out	British airforce slang for will do	Alt. over and out. Will comply and finish the conversation. Also ‘WilCo’ is an older phrase meaning the same. Has another meaning see swear words, although should be spelt ‘Rodger’ on these circumstances.
Rumpty-Fizzer	That was a rumpty-fizzer	Exciting	This has negative overtones as to being unexpected. Often what starts out as seeming normal leads to a quick succession of related events that are difficult to handle – but you (Normally) successfully sort everything out.
Sent packing	They were sent packing by the others	Sent away	Meaning to lose and have to retreat
Sink or swim	You can either…	Drown or escape	You can either give up or succeed
Sitting Duck	He’s a sitting duck	Easy prey	Exposing yourself to predators without your knowledge. Originally a British Cricket phrase
Steering Group, steering committee		Controllers	The people who actually control the direction of a group or project
Sunday Best		Your very best clothes	Originally used when people would put on their very best or newest clothes to attend Church on Sunday.
Suss, sussed	I’ve just sussed that out	To understand	I’ve just worked that out
The lunatics have taken over the asylum		People who know nothing are in charge	Exemplifies the view of ‘Educated’ people (?) when ‘commoners’ take control. Often implied in politics, but generally used when the Hunter becomes the Prey
Tin soldier		Small person of inflated stature
Tiffin	Tea and Tiffin	An old fashioned chocolate biscuit made by Fry’s	In the days of the British Raj, Tiffin meant firstly afternoon tea at 4pm. Tiffin also has connotations of a slightly lewd nature often used in comedy to this day = something sweet you would like to have – a girl for instance. Therefore you could ask a girl to join you for afternoon tea … and see what happened?
Till the cows come home	He’ll be at it until the cows come home	A very long time	Shorter than a month of Sunday’s
Time waits for no man		The future is constantly changing	Do not relax, as the future may change and what you do today may become worthless
Trojan Horse			A gift with sinister connotations and brings misfortune to the recipient. Originally from Homer’s epic, but now used maily reference computers.
Trunk 1	Let me carry your trunk	A very large wooden box, as in a suitcase	British English for a large stout travelling box, usually with a convex top
Trunk 2	Pop the trunk	American for boot as in the rear of a car	If it were not for Hollywood films, British and Americans would not understand each other
There’s more to this than meets the eye		There is a lot more we do not know about. See ‘Gut Feeling’	Applies to something that appears on cursory inspection to be very simple. However, it actually is very complicated if you examine it in great detail. Think devious plots from crime movies here
There’s no fool like an old fool		Some people never learn anything	Usually refers to stupidity, and people getting conned
There’s no smoke without fire		Be wary, it is worse than you think	A small problem today, if left unattended, can become a major problem later. Usually used to refer to peoples actions to indicate a tendency
Thingymagig	Many versions of spelling		Reference to something you do not know what to call it by. “Please pass me that thingymagig over there”.
Titbit	Alt: Tidbit		A small but important thing; or piece of information
Tucker			An Australian word for food Tuck Shop is a British sweet shop
Two wrongs don’t make a right	As is	Make something worse by doing wrong things	If you have made a mistake and done something wrong to achieve it, don’t make another mistake and do something else wrong to put it right – it will only make it worse
Water off a duck’s back	like …	It makes no difference, or does not affect anything.
What’s food for the Goose is food for the Gander	As is	If you can do it, then so can I	This is all about being fair to everybody
Yo	Yo!	Heah! Or good	Often used as a greeting, or to indicate the following word means something good.
You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink	Cantonese is similar: you can put a cow in the water, but you can’t push its head down	You can prepare everything perfectly, but the outcome is not known	Usually a mild rebuke used when somebody has a chance to succeed and refuses to do something very simple
You can’t put a square peg in a round hole	As is	Sometimes things will just not fit, no matter how hard you try to make them	Usually used to imply that a person is just not suitable for the task. However, it is not an insult, and infers they have other talents that are better used somewhere else. An example would be an old fisherman suddenly transferred to working as a computer programmer. The opposite is also probably true in a commercial sense.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks	As is	You can’t teach old people new things	Like teaching an 80 year old about computers. This is usually an observation, not an insult
You clean up pretty well	As is		Used when referring to a good friend who is normally noted for wearing casual dress (Me perhaps)? It is used when the person actually dresses properly, as in wearing a suit and tie or looking very smart.

There are many websites offering a more in depth service and category listings – but we have restricted ourselves here to mainly British phrases or those of worldwide usage.

You can find a more complete guide with thousands of idioms and expressions by clicking below; but maybe 20% of it is USA American, and may not be understood by British people and other English speakers around the world:

http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/