The 60 Common British Expressions That Everyone Needs to Know.

Slang and informal colloquial expressions are how native English speakers talk to each other in daily life. Whilst there is a multitude of common expressions that are shared throughout all regions of the British Isles, there are also regional expressions that add to the overall confusion caused by their usage.

That is why if you would like to speak like a native English speaker, it is a good idea to get to know some of these colorful expressions.

Below are 60 of the most common expressions used on a daily basis by the greater majority of British people.

Good luck and good studying.

Common British Phrases and Words

In this section, we’re going to look at the phrases that will make you sound more British. Some of them might be those British phrases you always hear on TV shows or movies.

Alright? – Although it may mean “ok” in North America, it’s the equivalent of “how are you?” in British English.
I’m knackered – I’m tired.
Cheeky – Mischievous or playful.
Bloody – This is a very British thing to say – meaning very.
I’m pissed – Not meaning the regular “angry”, in British talk it actually means you’re very drunk and is used quite a lot when you are out drinking with friends.
Mate – A common one and quite cliché – mate means friend.
Rubbish – It could mean garbage or nonsense depending on the context.
Cockney – A person native to East London.
Blimey – Similar to the American wow, blimey is used to describe something that takes you by surprise.
Bloke – Similar to guy in America, it is a blanket term to describe a man in general.
Bollocks – One of the more well-known British terms, it actually has a multitude of meanings. It could be used to symbolize disbelief, or just to talk about a man’s private parts.

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British Compliments

Think about the elegant British phrases you have heard and see if you recognize any in our list below.

You look smart/You’re smartly dressed – Smart, in this case, isn’t a reference to your mental state but more so about being dressed well.
He’s as bright as a button – “Bright” in British words and phrases means smart. This phrase is used to describe someone being clever and smart.
I quite fancy you – Fancy here means like or have a crush on.
She’s very lush – She’s very attractive.
I think he’s very fit – Fit not like your physical body, but more along the lines of being super hot!
She’s quite tidy, isn’t she? – Another term for good-looking and perfect.
You look smashing tonight – Austin Powers likes to use this term meaning fantastic.
He is so buff – No so much strong as it is sexy and handsome.

British Slang

All to pot – Referring to something failing miserably.
Brass monkey – A term used to describe extreme cold.
Brilliant! – Meaning great, it’s not only seen in British English.
Bugger all – Nothing at all.
Bugger off/sod off – Go away or the meaner f*ck off.
Cheers – Sure, it is still said when toasting, but it also means thank you.
Chuffed – A quintessential word to use when describing how ecstatic you are about an achievement.
A cock up – Is basically a less formal way to describe a mistake someone has made.
Do – Not so much a verb as it is a noun, do in England and other British countries actually means an event you are having, such as a leaving do or a birthday do.
Dodgy – Shifty, shady, questionable.
Fortnight – Some of you may already know this slang term means two weeks in time.
Gutted – To describe how you feel when something utterly saddens you.
Hunky-dory – normal, fine, cool.
Posh – Another well-known term that extends past the borders Great Britain, posh means something that is fancy.
Proper – Sure, it can mean something that is not inappropriate, but it also means very.
To nick – To take/steal.
Boot – When talking about a car, the boot is the trunk.
Brolly – British slang term for an umbrella.
Dim – Not a compliment, this is used to describe someone that is not very smart.
Innit? – An even more contracted form of isn’t it?
Miffed – Annoyed

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Funny British Phrases and Idioms

I was gobsmacked – The key here being “gobsmacked”. The entire phrase means I was shocked.
It’s all gone pear-shaped – It’s all gone wrong/something has gone wrong.
She’s a picnic short of a sandwich – Or he, meaning the person in question is not very clever.
He’s mad/He’s crackers – He’s crazy/he’s lost it.
Have a chinwag – Have a chat.
What a chav! – Not a funny but a mean phrase, a chav is what the Englishman calls a “low class” person.
That’s smashing/ace! – That’s great!
I’ll ring you/give you a ring – Don’t get all excited expecting a diamond ring, this actually means the person give you a call on the telephone.
Have a fag – While the word fag could mean something incredibly rude in America, in London or surrounding cities and countries it means a cigarette.
He’s so gobby – This is used to describe a mouthy and rude person.
Oh, she’s whinging on – Whinging is used to describe a person whining and moaning.
Ta-ta! – Good-bye!
Taking the piss – Piss and pissed are quite commonly used and do not denote anything inappropriate. Taking the piss means to mock or make fun of someone or something.
The bee’s knees – A phrase you use to describe something you are very fond of.
Don’t get your knickers in a twist – Don’t get upset/worked up.
A curtain twitcher – This funny and unique phrase is used to describe a nosy person.
Poppycock – Nonsense.
Quid – Just like we say bucks instead of dollars sometimes, quid is a slang term for the British pound.

British phrases and expressions are extraordinarily interesting to those who aren’t familiar with their terms. The common British words we see already seem so fancy and sometimes even whimsical and learning them will surely give you a leg up next time you have a chinwag with your British mates!