Recent Posts
British English Insults (That Aren’t Really Rude)
If you’ve spent any time in the UK, you’ll know we have a talent for coming up with creative ways to insult people, without actually being mean. It’s one of the quirks of British humour: we can call someone a fool and still sound like we’re being affectionate.
Today I’m sharing a few of my favourite British English insults. They’re all safe to use if you get the tone right. Think smiling eyes, light voice, and a sense of fun.
Modern English Phrases: What Does 'Show Me the Receipts' Mean?
‘Show me the receipts’ is one of those brilliant modern phrases that English learners often hear online or in conversation, but don’t find in textbooks. It’s playful, a little cheeky, and very current. And no, it has nothing to do with shopping.
So what does it actually mean?
What Does 'Make the Most of Something' Mean in English?
'Make the most of it' is one of those expressions we often use in British English to encourage a positive attitude, especially when the situation isn't perfect. It's about appreciating what you do have, even if it isn’t ideal.
But how do we actually use it in everyday conversation? And what kind of feeling or tone does it carry?
Let’s take a look.
20 Everyday British English Phrases
There’s the English you learn in class, and then there’s the English we actually use in daily life. The kind of language we use when we’re chatting to friends, colleagues, neighbours, or muttering to ourselves while making tea. These are the real, everyday expressions that British people say all the time. And often, they’re vague, non-committal, and deeply cultural.
So, I’ve put together 20 of my favourite phrases. These are all expressions I genuinely use. If you want to sound more natural and understand what’s really going on in conversation, these are a great place to start.
'It is what it is': The most British (and overused) way to accept life
This short phrase has become something of a national catchphrase in the UK. It often appears when something frustrating, disappointing or just downright annoying happens and there’s not much you can do about it.
But I’ll be honest. I’m really not keen on this one. It’s overused. It can come across as defeatist. And more than anything, it often feels like a way to avoid properly engaging with a situation. In this blog we’ll take a look at how it is used in British English.
What Does ‘Fair Enough’ Mean in English?
‘Fair enough’ is one of those little phrases that shows up everywhere in British English. You’ll hear it in everyday conversations, on TV, at work, in shops, and even in meetings. It’s short, polite, and very flexible.
If you’re learning English and want to sound more natural, especially if you're in the UK or speaking with British people, ‘fair enough’ is a great phrase to understand and start using.
Let’s look at what it really means, how it’s used in different situations, and some examples to help you feel confident using it.
6 Advanced Meanings of the English Phrasal Verb ‘Pick Up’
When you hear the phrasal verb pick up, what comes to mind?
Most people immediately think of the basics, to pick something up off the floor, or to pick someone up from the airport. And yes, those meanings are completely correct. But if you stop there, you’re missing out on some really useful, natural-sounding ways we use pick up in everyday English.
In fact, this tiny phrasal verb does a lot of heavy lifting, especially in conversations at work, or when describing things like progress, behaviour, or learning.
So let’s explore six slightly more advanced uses of pick up that will help you sound more fluent and confident in real-life English.
9 English Idioms About Ignoring Problems
We all do it sometimes, ignore the obvious, avoid difficult conversations, or hope that a problem will magically disappear if we just don’t look at it. But what do you say in English when you want to describe that behaviour?
In this post, you’ll learn 9 useful idioms and expressions for talking about avoidance, denial, and ignoring uncomfortable truths. These are great for everyday conversation, workplace English, and understanding films, books or TV shows.
How to Disagree Politely in British English
Disagreeing with someone isn’t easy, even in your first language. Add a second language, a professional setting, and maybe a sprinkle of British awkwardness... and it suddenly feels like a minefield.
In this post, I’ll show you how to disagree politely in British English. You’ll learn natural softening phrases, useful sentence starters, and tips to help you sound calm, confident, and respectful, even when you don’t see eye to eye.
6 English Phrasal Verbs With Throw
Phrasal verbs can be tricky, especially when the same verb, like throw ,combines with different little words (on, out, up…) and suddenly means something completely different.
In this post, we’re looking at 6 useful and real-life phrasal verbs with ‘throw.’ These are ones you’ll actually hear in conversations, not just those tucked away in textbooks.
12 English Idioms for Talking About Travel and Holidays
To celebrate the Summer season (and to help you sound wonderfully natural in English), I’ve gathered 12 of my favourite idioms for talking about travel, holidays, and time off work. Slip them into conversation, and you’ll sound like a seasoned traveller in no time.
10 Everyday British English Expressions That Make You Sound More Friendly
In this post, I want to share 10 everyday British English expressions that can instantly make you sound a little more friendly and warm when you're speaking. These are things I use myself all the time, and they really do help soften your message, build connection, and make conversations feel more natural.
18 Travel Phrasal Verbs You’ll Hear All the Time
Whether you're planning a weekend away or heading off on a big adventure, you'll notice how often we use phrasal verbs when we talk about travel in English. And they’re not always the easiest to guess from the words themselves.
So in this post, I’ve rounded up 18 super common travel-related phrasal verbs that will help you sound more natural, more fluent – and just a bit more confident when talking about your trips.
How to Use the Shadowing Technique to Improve Your English Speaking
Today we’re talking about one of my favourite tools for improving spoken English: the shadowing technique. If you’re not already using it, this blog post might just change the way you practise English forever.
20 English Phrases to Show Empathy.
When someone you care about is going through a tough time, finding the right words in English can feel overwhelming. You want to comfort them, to be there, but it’s hard to know exactly what to say—especially when English isn’t your first language.
So in this post, I’m going to share 20 natural English phrases for showing empathy. These are expressions you can use with friends, colleagues, or anyone who’s having a hard time.
What’s the difference between being lonely and alone?
If you're learning English, you might have come across the words lonely and alone and wondered what the difference is. They sound similar, they’re often used in similar situations, and they both relate to being by yourself. But the truth is, they mean very different things — and understanding that difference can help you express yourself more clearly and naturally in English.
How to Respond in English When Someone Shares Bad News
When someone shares difficult news with us, whether it’s about a loss, a setback, or something deeply personal, it can be hard to know what to say in English. You want to be supportive, kind, and comforting, but sometimes words just don’t feel like enough.
In today’s blog we explore useful English phrases you can use to respond sensitively when someone shares bad news with you.
8 English Phrasal Verbs With Back
In this post, I’ll walk you through 8 everyday phrasal verbs with back with clear examples and real-life situations. Perfect for intermediate to advanced learners who want to sound more fluent and confident in everyday conversations, work emails, and casual chats.
Idioms for Talking About Mistakes in English
Over the past week, I’ve had some lovely, honest chats with students about making mistakes. We’ve been talking about the little (and not-so-little) moments when things go wrong — a decision you regret, something you said that didn’t land well, or just one of those days where everything feels like a bit of a disaster.
Here are some of the English idioms we explored — they’re natural, expressive, and very useful for talking about the messy, imperfect bits of life in English.
5 Reasons That You’re Never Too Old To Learn English
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, ‘I’m too old to learn something new?’ Maybe you feel like your brain doesn’t work the way it used to. Or you compare yourself to younger learners—your kids, perhaps—and think, ‘They pick things up so quickly. What’s the point in me even trying?’
If that sounds familiar, then this blog is for you. Because here’s the truth: It’s not too late!