Hello and welcome, everyone.
My name is Chris.
This is a new lesson for the Youtube channel:
Learn British English Free
Please do check it out for lots more free lessons,
like this that you can use right now
to help improve your understanding and knowledge of,
in particular,
British English.
This time, I’m reading an online article, it’s about idioms.
It’s called:
11 Idioms only Brits Understand
from the website: Matador Network
by someone called Alice Latham.
Please see the link in the description
if you want to read it
from the website itself.
I believe that lots of people outside the uk
will know and understand these idioms as well,
but as a native speaker,
I can confirm that they are common here
so I’m sure that for many people watching,
it’ll be interesting to learn and understand
a bit more about them.
I’m going to read the article straight through
and I’m going to get cracking right about now.
Please read with me:
11 Idioms only Brits Understand
1. Pop one’s clogs You don’t get much more British than this.
To pop one’s clogs is a euphemism for dying or death.
Example: “No one knew he was about to pop his clogs.”
2. That went down a treat
If something goes down a treat, then it was thoroughly enjoyed.
Example: “That cake went down a treat.”
3. Take the mickey
Us Brits love to make fun of and tease each other
and that’s exactly what ‘taking the mickey’ means.
You can also say ‘take the mick.’
Example: “Stop taking the mickey out of your brother.”
4. Itchy feet
This refers to when you want to try or do something new, such as travelling.
Example:
“After two years in the job she’s got itchy feet,
so she’s going to spend three months in Australia.”
5. At a loose end If you’re at a loose end,
it means you’re bored or you have nothing to do.
Example: “He’s been at a loose end ever since he retired.”
6. Another string to your bow
This means to have another skill that can help you in life,
particularly with employment.
Example: “I’m learning French so I’ll have another string to my bow.”
7. As the actress said to the bishop
This is the British equivalent of ‘that’s what she said.’
It highlights a sexual reference whether it was deliberate or not.
Example: “Blimey, that’s a big one — as the actress said to the bishop.”
8. Bob’s your uncle
This phrase means that something will be successful.
It is the equivalent of ‘and there you go,’
or as the French say ‘et voilà!’
Example:
A: “Where’s the Queen Elizabeth Pub?”
B: “You go down the road,
take the first left and Bob’s your uncle —
there it is on the corner!”
9. Cheap as chips
We love a good bargain,
and when we find one we can’t help but exclaim that it’s ‘as cheap as chips.’
Example: “Only a fiver for a ticket — cheap as chips mate!”
10. Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves
This is one that our grandparents have told us our whole lives.
If you take care not to waste small amounts of money,
then it will accumulate into something more substantial.
11. Nosy parker This is for all the nosy people of the world.
A ‘nosy parker’ is someone who is extremely interested in other people’s
lives.
Example: “Stop being such a nosy parker! They’re having a private conversation!”
There you go:
11 Idioms only Brits Understand.
Hopefully you will understand them now
as well.
Thank you very much for your time.
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The main website is: http://www.learnbritishenglish.co.uk/
My name is Chris.
It’s been a pleasure having this lesson with you
as always.
I will see you next time.