Visit the UK phrases and words in English
Half the fun of Britain is the language — order a "cheeky pint," tell a mate you're "absolutely knackered," be "gutted" when it rains again, or call something brilliant "the bee's knees." These are the words that make you sound like you actually live there.
10 phrases · meanings & example sentences
“Cheeky”
Literally it means a bit rude or bold — but Brits use it affectionately for a small, slightly indulgent treat you weren't really supposed to have. "A cheeky pint" or "a cheeky Nando's" is one you're sneaking in for fun. It signals playfulness, not real cheek.
- Fancy a cheeky pint after work?
- We snuck in a cheeky weekend in Paris before the busy season.
- He gave me a cheeky grin when he took the last biscuit.
“Knackered”
Completely exhausted, worn out. Originally a 'knacker' was someone who slaughtered worn-out horses, so to be knackered is to be fit for the knacker's yard. Wildly common in British speech for tiredness — and also for broken machines.
- I'm absolutely knackered after that hike.
- The kids ran around all day and now they're knackered.
- My old laptop's completely knackered — it won't even turn on.
“Gutted”
Bitterly disappointed, as if your insides had been scooped out. It's the go-to British word for crushing letdowns big and small — a lost match, a cancelled plan, missing the last train. Heartfelt but everyday.
- We lost in the last minute — I'm absolutely gutted.
- She was gutted when the concert sold out before she could get tickets.
- I'm gutted you can't make it to the wedding.
“The bee's knees”
Something excellent, the very best. The phrase is delightfully nonsensical — bees don't have knees in any meaningful way — which is the whole charm. It comes from 1920s slang for anything top-notch and is still used, often with a wink.
- Have you tried their Sunday roast? It's the bee's knees.
- She thinks her new car is the bee's knees.
- This little café is the bee's knees — best coffee in town.
“Take the mickey”
To tease or make fun of someone, usually good-naturedly. Also 'take the mick.' If a Brit says "are you taking the mickey?" they may also mean you're being unreasonable or pushing your luck. A staple of British banter.
- Stop taking the mickey — my haircut isn't that bad!
- They're always taking the mick out of his accent, but he loves it.
- Twenty quid for a coffee? Are they taking the mickey?
“Chuffed”
Very pleased and proud about something. Often 'chuffed to bits' for extra warmth. It's the sunny opposite of 'gutted' — the quiet, satisfied glow of a small win going your way.
- I'm dead chuffed with how the garden turned out.
- She was chuffed to bits when she passed her driving test.
- He's well chuffed that his team finally won.
“Faff about”
To waste time fussing over something unimportant or being disorganised. 'A faff' can also be a noun for an annoyingly fiddly task. Perfect for the very British art of getting nothing done while looking busy.
- Stop faffing about and let's go — we'll miss the train.
- I spent all morning faffing around with the printer.
- Assembling that furniture was such a faff.
“Sod's law”
The British cousin of Murphy's law: if something can go wrong, it will — usually at the worst possible moment. Brits invoke it with a resigned shrug whenever fate seems to be having a laugh at their expense.
- I forgot my umbrella, and of course it poured. Sod's law.
- Sod's law — the one day I'm late, the boss is early.
- The bus came the second I lit a cigarette. Typical sod's law.
“Bob's your uncle”
A cheerful way to say "and there you have it" — used at the end of simple instructions to mean it's all done, easy as that. Nobody's quite sure who Bob was, which only adds to the fun. The natural follow-up is sometimes "...and Fanny's your aunt."
- Add a splash of milk, give it a stir, and Bob's your uncle.
- Just press this button, plug it in, and Bob's your uncle.
- Fill in the form, post it off, and Bob's your uncle — you're registered.
“Skint”
Completely broke, with no money to spare. A very common, slightly self-deprecating word Brits use near the end of the month or after a big night out. Friendlier and more relatable than saying you're 'poor.'
- I can't come out tonight — I'm totally skint until payday.
- We were skint students living on beans on toast.
- Don't worry about the bill, I know you're skint this month.
