25 brilliant British English slang words and phrases

English is commonly accepted as having a larger vocabulary than most other languages in the world. Some words and expressions are tricky for English language learners and others even create difficulties between native English speakers from different countries.

[Last updated on 13/08/2018]

We’re from London and have created a list of some of the most brilliant, creative, confusing and commonly used British English slang words and phrases.

British English slang words and phrases

Check out our favourite expressions and try to use some this week!

1. not my cup of tea

describes something that you dislike or are not interested in

"My friend invited me to an art gallery on Saturday, but it's not my cup of tea."

2. give someone a bell

to telephone someone

"Give me a bell later so we can make plans for the weekend."

3. a chip off the old block

describes someone who has a similar character or personality to one of their parents

"My nephew is a chip off the old block when it comes to computer games. He's just like his dad."

4. get a move on

used to tell someone to hurry up

"You need to get a move on. I don't want to be late for the cinema."

5. go pear-shaped

describes something that goes wrong or has problems

"We were going to buy a new house, but everything went pear-shaped when my husband lost his job."

6. give it some welly

used to tell someone to make more effort and use more energy to do something

"You really need to give it some welly so that you can finish this job today."

7. raining cats and dogs

describes when it rains very heavily

"I don't want to go out for a run today. It's raining cats and dogs."

8. to be happy as Larry

describes when someone is extremely happy

"I'm happy as Larry because we've just finished our final university exam."

9. getting shirty

describes when someone gets angry or annoyed and not in a polite way

"So many customers get shirty when they have to wait on the phone for more than a couple of minutes."

10. in a (right) pickle

describes when someone is in a difficult or problematic situation

"Jack drunk a bit too much wine at the staff party and got himself in a right pickle."

11. fine and dandy

describes something as very good or going well

"I'm fine and dandy thanks. I've got a great job and still have time to meet up with friends and go to the gym."

12. throw a spanner in the works

describes something (or someone) that creates a problem for a planned activity or project

"This snow storm has thrown a spanner in the works with our holiday. All flights are cancelled!"

13. knackered or cream-crackered

to be extremely tired or exhausted

"I've been working long hours this week and I'm completely knackered (cream-crackered)."

14. take the mickey

describes when you make jokes about someone or tease them and make them look silly

"We were taking the mickey out of our grandfather because he still can't send text messages on his phone."

15. Bob's your uncle

used to emphasise that something will be fine or is easy to do (e.g. a task or a set of instructions)

"Take the car to the mechanic. They'll repair it this afternoon, and bob's your uncle!"

16. hold your horses

used to tell someone to wait and think about something before making a decision

"Hold your horses. You don't need to make such an important decision right now."

17. a piece of cake

describes something that is very easy to do

"My new job is a piece of cake because I've done this so many times before already."