Expression USED On Occasion BY People from Yorkshire
The expression "it is cold enough to freeze the balls of a brass monkey" comes from the practice of putting iron cannon balls on a dimpled brass plate on the deck of a warship. When very cold the brass contracted sufficiently to cause the iron balls to fall out.
"Goodness, my fingers are freezing! It’s brass monkey weather! "
Submitted April 2024 by aromasubstanz@gmail.com
Idiom USED On Rare Occasion BY Some people
1. To be exuberantly having sex. 2. To argue loudly (rarer) A slightly old-fashioned phrase.
"I could hear my neighbours at it like knives all night!"
Submitted February 2024 by anonymous
not as green as cabbage-looking
Idiom USED On Rare Occasion BY Some people
To not be as naive as someone appears. To be smarter or more intelligent than expected.
"They tried to hide the dent so I'd pay full price, but I'm not as green as I am cabbage-looking."
Submitted February 2024 by anonymous
like turkeys voting for Christmas
Standard Phrase USED On Occasion BY some people
If someone supports an action that will harm them, this action is said to be "like turkeys voting for Christmas." This phrase is often used with reference to politicians or political decisions.
"If we accept this proposal, it would be like turkeys voting for Christmas."
Submitted December 2023 by lucia871
English
Australia ,
United Kingdom
Expression USED On Occasion BY Some People
Wasting time doing something that isn't useful or productive. Also known as doing things disorganizedly and not achieving very much.
"Stop faffing around! We need to be at the pool in 5 minutes!"
Expression USED Frequently BY Everyone
To try your best / give everything to achieve something
Danny is really working hard at the gym. Yeah, he’s going balls to the walls.
English
| Yorkshire
Yorkshire ,
United Kingdom
Slang USED Very frequently BY Yorkshire folk
(Thanks) • A slang word for Thanks derived from the Danish language's influence on the English language.
Person One: I will give you a ride to the post office. Person Two: Ta
Person One: I will give you a ride to the post office. Person Two: Thanks.
Submitted April 2021 by richienglish
English
| Northern UK (Yorkshire, Lancashire)
North of England,
United Kingdom
Expression USED On Occasion BY People from the North of England
(put the wood in the hole) • If somebody enters a room and neglects to close the door, this is what you say to them (Translation: “Put the wood in the hole”). It is mainly used by great uncles, but the expression appears to be in less frequent usage than it once was.
"Ey up, lad! It's monkeys outside. Were tha born in a barn? Put wood int' 'ole, will ya?"
"Hey, boy! It's cold outside. Were you born in a barn? Put the wood in the hole, will you?"
Submitted March 2021 by anonymous
Slang USED Very frequently BY People Under 50
An adjective, used to describe someone you find attractive, good looking or sexy.
"What did you think of Daniel?" "He's a bit boring but so fit"
Submitted February 2021 by anonymous
Interjection USED In the past BY Those from the east end of london
A response to an outrageous statement, usually; it isn't asking for the other person to provide help or assistance (the literal translation), but stating that they can oblige by not believing or repeating what they have just said.
"You think the Government will pay every nurse and doctor an extra £10,000 free of tax? Do me a favour! Of course they won't!"
Submitted January 2021 by anonymous
English
| Bristolian
Bristol,
United Kingdom
Standard Phrase USED Frequently BY Almost Everyone
A greeting to express thanks to a bus driver when getting of the bus
"Cheers drive! Have a good day!"
Expression USED On Very Rare Occasion BY women
The kind of underwear women are supposed to wear, just in case you end up in a car crash.
"I don't want to show you my underwear, cos obviously I haven't got my car crash underwear on."
Submitted January 2021 by amarens
they couldn't lie straight in bed
Expression USED On Occasion BY Some People
The person referred to is very dishonest and is unable to tell the truth in any context.
"Boris Johnson couldn't lie straight in bed."
Expression USED On Occasion BY Some People, Older People
To be very poor, to the extent the soles of one's shoes have worn away, and one is walking around on the upper part of the shoes.
"He's fallen on hard times, he's on his uppers."
Submitted January 2021 by anonymous
Expression USED On Occasion BY Almost Everyone
When something is interesting or enjoyable.
“Wow! That performance was the bees knees”
Submitted December 2020 by anonymous
Expression USED Frequently BY Almost Everyone
A response to someone who is stating the obvious. It refers to the famous detective Sherlock Holmes.
"The sky is blue" "No shit, Sherlock!"
What's that got to do with the price of fish?
Expression USED On Occasion BY Some People
Used when someone says something completely irrelevant to the conversation. The fixed phrase is "What's that got to do with the price of ___" but the item could be fish, bacon, chips, or many other things.
"What do you think about the new sports centre?" "Ye I think the weather has been quite good today." "What's that got to do with the price of fish? I was talking about the sports centre."
"What do you think about the new sports centre?" "Ye I think the weather has been quite good today." "What's that got to do with what I said? I was talking about the sports centre."
Submitted November 2020 by blubs
Expression USED On Occasion BY Young People
(n.) • A positive, descriptive term for a person that is wholesome (ie kind, helpful, goes out of their way to support others, honest, perhaps sometimes a little naive or innocent). Rarely said to the person in question’s face but about them to others. Common in manga reader forums.
"I saw Christopher helping an old lady across the road this morning." "Aw Christopher is such a cinnamon roll!"
Expression USED On Occasion BY Adults
It’s an abbreviation of the phrase “I haven’t (got) a clue in the foggiest”. When you really have no idea why something has happened or the answer to a question. Saying “not a foggy one” can be used depending on the individuals choice of changing the original phrase, but it is always understood by other Brits when used.
“Do you remember which bus stop we’re supposed to get off at?” “Not a foggy one, mate. I’m just following everyone else!”
English
England,
United Kingdom
the pot calling the kettle black
Idiom USED On Occasion BY Almost Everyone
Criticizing something that you yourself are guilty of.
"He said my dog was ugly but his own is so inbred it can hardly breathe!" "Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!"