70 Best British Slang Phrases

Visit:1613   Updated: 2023/01/10

1.Gobsmacked – a British slang phrase used to describe amazement, “I was gobsmacked, it was so good!”

2.Biscuit – a British slang term used to describe any cookie or cookie-like snack in the UK.

3.Banging – a common phrase that is used to describe something very good or of high quality.

4.Give us a bell  – a common phrase used to describe wanting someone to telephone you. “Give us a bell when you finish work”.

5.Gutted – is a British term you use to describe feeling devastated or upset. “I’m absolutely gutted”.

6.Legless – a friendly British term used to describe someone who is very drunk. “you were legless last night!”

7.Crisps – Coming in a variety of flavours, this is the British equivalent of a packet of potato chips.

8.Bagsy – a British slang term commonly used by British children and teens to stake a claim on something. “Bagsy the front seat of the car”.

9.Have a butcher’s – this is a phrase that is used when you want someone to take a look at something closely.

10.Hyper – a British slang term used to describe someone, often children, or a pet that is very over-excited. “They were so hyper”.

11.Bare – a British term commonly used to describe a lot of something. “There were bare people in the club last night”.

12.Barney – this is a slang word used to describe an argument or disagreement with a friend or family member.

13.Hen Do – this is the bride’s equivalent of a Stag Night and is otherwise known as a bachelorette party.

14.Pear-shaped – this is a British slang term used to describe a situation that has not quite gone to plan. “Things have gone a bit pear-shaped!”

15.Blatant – refers to something that is very obvious. “It was blatant that they were cheating”.

16.Minted – is a British term typically used to describe someone who is wealthy and has a large amount of money, “They’re minted”.

17.The bee’s knees – a British slang term used to describe something that is better than anything else or is the pinnacle of their profession.

18.Butty – this is a phrase typically used in the south of the country and refers to a sandwich. “I’ll have a bacon butty please”.

19.Moreish – this is a phrase used to describe something that is very tasty and addictive. “Oh, that cake was very moreish”.

20.Her majesty’s pleasure – despite its pleasant sound, this phrase refers to someone who has spent time in prison.

21.Brass monkeys – a slang phrase that is slowly disappearing but is used to describe very cold weather. “It’s brass monkey’s out there!”

22.Chips – this is the most commonly used term to describe French fries, as in Fish and Chips.

23.First-class – a phrase used to describe something that was truly excellent and superior to anything else.

24.Easy peasy – is a commonly used term to describe something that was very easy to complete.

25.Plastered – another popular phrase used to describe someone who was very intoxicated with alcohol. “I was plastered last night!”

26.Taking the biscuit – an old English phrase used when someone is beginning to push their luck or push their boundaries. “You’re really taking the biscuit now”.

27.Boozer – a common term used to describe a pub or drinking establishment that is not a bar or nightclub.

28.Bog – has two meanings, either a muddy marsh or a phrase used to describe the toilet. “I’m going to the bog, be back in a minute”.

29.Jammy – a very common British slang term for someone who is always very lucky and fortunate, often more than should be normal.

30.Off-licence – is a shop that is typically opened late into the night and serves essential groceries and alcohol.

31.Cheeky – a British term of endearment used when a friend or loved one is being a little rude or disrespectful but in a funny way.

32.Fit – while meaning something that is very healthy, fit can also mean someone who is very physically attractive.

33.Bonkers – a phrase used to describe a situation that is particularly surreal and unexpected. “That was bonkers!”

34.Numpty – a light-hearted British term referring to someone who does something stupid or says something that is incorrect.

35.Faff – a British slang term used to describe someone who is being overly fussy or delaying something with unnecessary tasks. “Stop faffing around and get on with it”.

36.Nick – a British term used to steal something. “I’m going to nick that coat”. Being nicked refers to being caught by the police and arrested.

37.Having a strop – a British slang term typically used to describe someone who is having a public display of anger or frustration. Commonly used for young children.

38.Botch job – a British slang term used to describe something that has been repaired or completed in a quick time without any care or attention. “That was a bit of a botch job”.

39.Brolly – a word that every Brit knows! A brolly is a slang term for an umbrella, something that is needed very regularly in the UK.

40.Builder’s tea – the British love their tea, and this is a term used to describe a tea that features a lot of milk and is typically quite weak.

41.Alright – a very common and interchangeable word. Commonly used as a greeting and does not usually require a response. “Alright mate”.

42.Rubbish – multi-use term that can either describe your household waste or something that was very bad or below expectations.

43.Having a natter – a phrase commonly used to describe having a friendly chat or gossip with close friends and family.

44.Stag Night – this is the name given to the boys-only night out for a groom to be. Otherwise known as a bachelor’s or Bucks party.

45.Cream Crackered  –A cockney rhyming phrase that is typically used to describe being worn out and extremely tired mentally and physically. “I’m cream crackered!”

46.Peanuts – a British term used to describe the cost of an item that is very cheap to what it normally is. “I got this jacket for peanuts”.

47.Shambles – this is a term used to refer to something that is in disarray or in a mess. “That was a complete shambles”.

48.Hunky-dory – this is a term that refers to something that is going very well. “It’s all hunky-dory!”

49.Peckish – used to describe a feeling of being hungry or craving something that is not quite a full meal.

50.Flutter – a gambling term used to describe placing a bet or wager on something, often these bets are relatively low and have a small stake.

51.Trolley – an interchangeable British term used to describe either a shopping cart or someone who is saying something silly, “You’re off your trolley if you think that’s correct!”

52.Blinder – a word used to describe something that was truly exceptional. “You played a blinder last night!” or “That was a blinding performance”.

53.On the pull – a British term used to describe going out for the evening with the sole intention of attracting someone of the opposite sex.

54.Backhander – a British term used to refer to the money used to describe bribing someone. “He was given a backhander”.

55.Skive off – the British slang term used to describe avoiding the job or duties that you are meant to be completing. “I don’t fancy going to work today, I might skive off”.

56.Haggle – a common British slang term used to describe bartering someone down or negotiating a particular price. “I haggled them down from the asking price”.

57.Bob’s your uncle – this is a term used to describe something that is a guaranteed success. “Do it that way, and Bob’s your uncle!”

58.Mug – a slightly negative term used for someone who repeatedly makes mistakes or is particularly gullible and will believe anything.

59.Nowt – a phrase used in the north of the country that is typically used as a replacement for the term nothing. “There’s nowt wrong with that”.

60.Piece of cake – a British slang phrase commonly used to describe something that was very easy to complete. Similar use to the term Easy Peasy. “That was a piece of cake!”

61.Smarmy – a slightly derogative term used to describe someone who appears particularly unpleasant and tries to showcase how they are better than you.

62.Sod’s Law – this is a common phrase for when something that can go wrong, does go wrong. “It is sod’s law my car won’t start on the one day I really need it”.

63.Bloke – a term used to describe a typical adult male in the UK. Used in the same way American’s use the term dude.

64.Pork pies – another Cockney rhyming slang phrase that refers to someone who is lying. Typically used in London, it has expanded to other regions of the country.  “I’ve got no time for your pork pies”.

65.Fluke – something that is very lucky or caused by complete chance. “Hitting the bullseye was such a fluke!”

66.Innit – a common abbreviation for Isn’t it. This is typically used in the south of the country and particularly amongst the younger generations.

67.Dodgy – used to describe something or someone that is suspicious or questionable. “That person looked dodgy, so I stayed away”.

68.Daft – a friendly term that is not offensive and used to describe something that is a little stupid or silly. “Don’t be daft!”

69.Wally – a less common term nowadays, but a Wally is someone who is a little silly or has said something stupid.

70.Gormless – a negative term used to describe someone who is incredibly foolish or lacking in intelligence.