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British Slang Expressions
British Slang Expressions
In general, you
have to be a little careful about learning slang, because it can go out of fashion
quickly, but these expressions are still very common.
Remember – British slang expressions can often be a little rude or vulgar. For
example, some British English slang expressions use the word “arse”, which is the
part of the body you sit on!
For slang expressions which are considered “vulgar”, don’t use them with people you
don’t know, or in polite or formal situations.
Describing People
be a sandwich short of a picnic = be a little bit crazy or stupid
If you’re short of something, you’re missing something – in this case, some
intelligence or common sense!
“She’s alright, but she’s a sandwich short of a picnic if you know what I mean.”
Other similar expressions are “a few bricks short of a load” or “a sausage short of a
barbie”. (barbie = barbecue)
a proper little madam / a right little madam = a young girl or woman who expects
other people do exactly what / how she wants
“Her 3-year-old daughter attends the nursery, and she’s a proper little madam
according to the assistants!”
you old so-and-so = when we want to show another person that we find them clever
or interesting
“What do you mean, you managed to get an extra day’s holiday. You old so-and-so!”
toffee-nosed = snobbish
“Oh don’t be so toffee-nosed! It’s not beneath you to go out for drinks with them!”
be gobby / have a gob on him / her = talk loudly, or have strong opinions
“Gob” is a slang term for your mouth. It’s informal and a little vulgar.
“She’s so gobby when she’s with her school mates.”
“Yeah – I think she’s showing off.”
Your “guts” are your intestines, and we use “guts” in a lot of different expressions.
“Tits” is a vulgar word for “breasts”, so don’t use this in formal or polite situations.
(Men also use this expression.)
“John’s really getting on my tits at the moment.” (= John’s really annoying me.)
“Knackered” can be considered vulgar, so you might also hear the alternative
“cream-crackered”. (Cream crackers are a type of plain, dry biscuit we serve with
cheese.)
can’t be fagged / can’t be arsed = when you don’t want to do something because
it’s too much work or effort
“Do you want to go out tonight?”
“No, I can’t be fagged.”
lord it over someone = act in a way that shows you feel superior, or to “boss
someone around”
“Ever since he got the promotion, he’s been lording it over his colleagues. He’s really
getting up people’s noses!”
take the mickey / take the piss = make fun of someone, or ask too much (for
something or of someone)
“Piss” is considered vulgar, as it means “to urinate”.
“Don’t listen to them – they’re taking the mickey out of you.”
“All her friends take the piss out of her American accent.”
“You’re taking the piss aren’t you? There’s no way I’m going to pay £5000 for this old
car.”
“Helen went off to the fancy-dress party looking like a dogs dinner!”
not be able to organise a piss-up in a brewery = unable to organise something
which should be simple
(a piss-up = a vulgar word to mean a drinking session; a brewery = the factory where
beer is made)
“John was in charge of the travel arrangements, but it was complete chaos. He
couldn’t organise a piss-up in a brewery!”
Situations
take the biscuit = when a situation becomes worse and you’re
unhappy about it
“Well, that really takes the biscuit. First the telecoms engineer said he couldn’t fix the
problem, and then they send me a huge bill!”
sods law = the “law” that says if something can go wrong, it will go wrong
“We spent a fortune on the holiday, but it rained every day.”
“Yeah, sods law!”
But the slang expression “the dog’s bollocks” means “the best”:
“He thinks he’s the dog’s bollocks!”
put a sock in it = what you say to someone when they keep talking, complaining or
arguing and you want them to stop. (Parents often say this to their children.)
“Oh, put a sock in it, you two. I’ve had enough of you complaining!”
keep your hair on = something you say to someone to tell them not to get angry or
agitated
“Keep your hair on Dad! I’m not staying out all night!”
Money
dosh = money
“Have you got any dosh to pay for this?”
be pissed / be off your face / be trollied / be steaming (drunk) = drink too much
alcohol
There are lots of slang expressions for this in British English – these are just four of
them!
“He was so pissed last night.”
“Did you see Gemma? She was off her face.”
“We got trollied last night.”
“The passenger was absolutely steaming, and they had to call the police.”
Death
People also say “a bucket list” which is a list of things you want to do before you die.
“He’s waiting for them to croak it so that he can inherit their house.”
“By the time you’ve got grandchildren of your own, I’ll be pushing up the daisies.”