Moving to the UK? Get ready to speak a whole new language – British. No, not ‘English’ – you’ve got that down already. We’re talking baffling UK sayings, slang and phrases that don’t make much literal sense.
To help you get your head around it all, we’ve put together a list of classic British sayings and what they actually mean. So next time someone suggests going for a ‘cheeky’ Nandos or asks if you’re ‘alright’, you’ll be ready.
1. Bob’s your uncle
Nope, it has nothing to do with anyone’s uncle. This is just a British saying that means ‘There you go!’ or ‘It’s that simple’. For example:
“Just enter your details and Bob’s your uncle – you’ve got a car insurance quote!”
2. I’ll give you a bell
Harking back to the days when all phones rang with a bell sound, this British saying means “I’ll call you on the phone”. For example:
"I’m heading out now. I’ll give you a bell when I get home."
3. Chuffed to bits
It’s slightly old fashioned but you still might hear this odd British saying. It’s another way of saying “I’m very happy”. For example:
“I passed my driving test on the first try — I’m chuffed to bits!"
4. Throw a spanner in the works
This British saying can be used when an unexpected problem disrupts your plans. For example:
“I set off on time, but the train delay really threw a spanner in the works.”
5. Taking the mickey
See also another classic British phrase ‘Taking the piss’. You’ll likely hear these two a lot during your time in the UK.
Both of these sayings can be used interchangeably and have two slightly different meanings. One is gentle teasing or mocking. For example:
“Don’t worry, he’s only taking the mickey.”
“Are you taking the piss out of me?”
It can also be used to mean ‘taking advantage of in a rude way’. For example:
“£20 for a burger! They’re taking the mickey”
“Half an hour late! He’s really taking the piss now”
A lot of it’s in the tone. We can’t make it make that much sense.
6. You alright?
If someone asks you this in the UK, it’s probably not because they want to hear about your wellbeing. Rather, it’s really just another way of saying ‘hello’ in a casual, informal way. For example:
Person 1: “You alright?”
Person 2: “Hey, yeah I’m good, you?”
7. Not my cup of tea
Perhaps the most British of all sayings in the UK. This saying is a polite way of saying, ‘I don’t like it’ or ‘It’s not for me’. For example:
“Thanks for the invite, but horror films aren’t really my cup of tea."
8. Cheeky
In lots of countries around the world, this word often has a negative meaning. But in the UK it can also mean being slightly bold or indulgent, often in a playful way. For example:
“We got out of work early so we went for a cheeky drink at the pub.”
“She had a cheeky grin.”
9. Gobsmacked
This British saying simply means ‘shocked’. Think mouth-hanging-wide-open sort of shocked. For example:
“I was gobsmacked by how rude they were.”
10. I’m knackered
You’ll hear people say this when they’re exhausted. For example:
“I’ve been up since 5am – I’m knackered”
“Sorry, I’m too knackered to go out tonight”
11. Swings and roundabouts
This British phrase can be used when you’re talking about the pros and cons of something, often when the two balance out. For example:
"Living outside London is cheaper, but the commute is longer. It’s all swings and roundabouts."
12. Bloody
Is ‘bloody’ a swear word in the UK? It depends who you ask. While some might think it crosses the line, many people in the UK just use it to express anger or frustration in a mildly rude way. For example:
“My week has been bloody awful”
“Don’t be a bloody idiot!”
*Is shocked or surprised by something* “Bloody hell!”
13. Chinwag
A chinwag is a good old-fashioned chat, usually in a friendly and relaxed way. Think chins moving up and down. You might hear it used when someone’s catching up with a friend. For example:
“We had a nice chinwag over a coffee.”
14. Costs an arm and a leg
This British saying is all about things being really expensive. You’ll often hear it used when someone’s talking about big purchases or surprise bills. For example:
“My car insurance cost an arm and a leg! I wish I’d picked Marshmallow.”
“That hotel looked nice, but it costs an arm and a leg to stay there.”
15. The elephant in the room
A big issue that everyone is aware of but avoiding talking about — that’s the elephant in the room. It’s often used in work settings, awkward family situations, or group conversations where something obvious is being ignored. For example:
“Everyone knew the company was struggling, but no one wanted to mention the elephant in the room.”
What other odd phrases in the UK have you come across? Let us know on Instagram!
