Amy Smith
Amy Smith
16th April 2019

If you’re planning on moving to the UK soon to study abroad, it may not be exactly what you expected. The majority of Brits don’t speak the Queen’s English, and there are a lot of slang phrases and colloquialisms that might confuse you to start with.

Once you arrive, you’ll hear British slang everywhere. Each city – heck – even the smallest of towns here have their own unique words and phrases that might throw you for a loop. You might not be able to get to grasps with them all since every city is different.

But we can help you out with a few common British slang phrases used around the whole country. Read on to learn what they are and how to use them.

1. Bloody Hell

This is one that most people from outside of the UK will be somewhat familiar with. Bloody hell is a versatile term that can be used in a variety of situations. It can be used to express anger, shock, and surprise.

It’s not really a swear word, but some of us remember our mums telling us not to use it when we were younger. Here are some examples you could use the phrase ‘bloody hell’.

  • “What the bloody hell are you talking about?”
  • “Bloody hell, where did you come from?”
  • “Bloody hell, that was good, wasn’t it?”

2. Chucking it Down

This is a phrase we use approximately 156 times each year, if not more. Chucking it down literally just means that it’s raining heavily outside. We have a lot of terms for the rain, but this one is a favourite.

Others include:

  • Raining cats and dogs
  • Tipping it down
  • Drizzle
  • The heavens have opened

Here’s an example of chucking it down used in a sentence:

  • “Bloody hell, it’s absolutely chucking it down out there!”

3. Chuffed

This word apparently began as military slang during the war and it has stuck around ever since. Chuffed is a word the Brits use when we’re proud or happy about something, either for ourselves or others.

  • “That’s great news! I’m really chuffed for you.”
  • “I was really chuffed with all my presents this morning.”

 

4. Gutted

Gutted is pretty much the exact opposite of the word chuffed. When you’re gutted, it means that you’re extremely disappointed about something.

  • “I’m gutted about missing the match this weekend.”
  • “I’m gutted about my exam results.”
  • His girlfriend just broke up with him, he’s really gutted about it.”

5. Nippy

This is another word we use quite a lot due to the unfortunate weather in Britain. When someone says it’s nippy, they mean that it’s cold. On a cold and chilly day, you’ll hear this used as small talk quite a lot.

  • “Can we put the heating on? It’s a bit nippy in here.”
  • “Have you felt how nippy it is outside?”

6. Skint

As an international student, this is a word you’ll become familiar with very quickly! Skint simply means that you’re broke and haven’t got any money left.

  • “Sorry mate, I can’t go out tonight, I’m absolutely skint.”
  • “I can’t wait for my student loan to come through again, I’m skint right now.”
  • “Can I pay you back later? I’m a bit skint at the moment.”

 

7. Knackered

When someone is knackered, it means that they are totally exhausted or tired. Those long days and nights in the library will often have you feeling this way, and as a student, you’re sure to hear it a lot!

  • “I couldn’t sleep last night and I’m absolutely knackered now.”
  • “Sorry I can’t come out tonight, I’m too knackered.”

Another word we use that works exactly the same is the term ‘shattered’.

8. Dodgy

When someone says they think something, someone or somewhere is dodgy, they mean that they find it suspicious or illegal. Or, they might mean that something is bad or a knock-off.

  • “I’ve got food poisoning from a dodgy curry last night.”
  • “That guy looks totally dodgy.”
  • “Don’t open that email, it looks proper dodgy.”

 

9. Fiver / Tenner

If someone asks you if they can lend a fiver or a tenner, they want to borrow £5 or £10. Funnily, this doesn’t go further than that, as there are no “twenty-ers” or “fifty-ers”.

  • “Hey mate, can I lend a fiver from you?”
  • “I got these jeans for only a tenner!”

 

 

10. Cuppa

This might very well be the first phrase you hear when you move into your student accommodation and meet your flatmates. It simply means a cup or tea or coffee, but more often it’s tea (you’re in the UK after all!). Another word used for the same thing is ‘brew’.

  • “Fancy a cuppa?”
  • “I’m putting the kettle on, fancy a cuppa (or brew)?”
  • “Cuppa?”

These British Slang Phrases Will Help You Understand the UK

There you have it, ten of the most commonly used British slang phrases. The chances are you’ll end up hearing every one of these within your first week here, so knowing what they are ahead of time will save you from misunderstandings.

Need to find somewhere to live when you come to the UK? Get in touch and we will help you find the perfect student accommodation for you.

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