English United Kingdom

brass monkey weather

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! "

English United Kingdom

at it like knives

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!"

alt

English United Kingdom

chocolate teapot

Expression USED Frequently BY Most people

Something or someone that is a of little practical use. Sometimes "fireguard" is substituted for "teapot".

"Rishi has made a mistake again. I swear he is about as useful as a chocolate teapot."

English United Kingdom

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."

alt

English United Kingdom

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."

alt

English Australia , United Kingdom

faffing around

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!"

Confirmed by 2 people

English United Kingdom

to go balls to the walls

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.

Confirmed by 3 people

ety

æ

English | Yorkshire Yorkshire , United Kingdom

Ta

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.

English | Northern UK (Yorkshire, Lancashire) North of England, United Kingdom

put wood int' 'ole

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?"

English United Kingdom

fit

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"

English United Kingdom

wicked

Slang USED On Occasion BY People Over 30

(evil) • Another word for cool, awesome, great, amazing or fun

"What did you think of the rollercoaster?" "It was wicked!"

"What did you think of the rollercoaster?" "It was great!"

Confirmed by 8 people

English United Kingdom

Do me a favour!

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!"

English | Bristolian Bristol, United Kingdom

cheers drive

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!"

Confirmed by 2 people

English United Kingdom

to get one’s head around something

Expression USED Frequently BY Almost Everyone

To understand or grasp the concept of something

“Honestly, I can’t get my head around it”

ety

English United Kingdom

car crash underwear

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."

English United Kingdom

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."

Confirmed by 3 people

English United Kingdom

on your uppers

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."

English United Kingdom

tickled me

Idiom USED On Occasion BY Almost Everyone

When something is funny - eliciting a giggly response greater than the trigger - often inexplicably so. Finding something particularly funny for no good reason.

"What's making you all giggly?" "I'm not sure why but seeing the way they fell over really tickled me!"

English United Kingdom

the bees knees

Expression USED On Occasion BY Almost Everyone

When something is interesting or enjoyable.

“Wow! That performance was the bees knees”

English United Kingdom

No shit, Sherlock

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!"

Confirmed by 14 people