Recent Posts
How to Make a Good First Impression in English
Meeting someone for the first time can feel awkward, especially in another language. In this post, I’ll show you how to make a warm, confident first impression in English, not by being perfect, but by being yourself. You’ll learn practical British English phrases, cultural insights, and confidence tips to help you connect naturally in real-life conversations.
15 Common English Collocations with ‘Mind’
The word ‘mind’ appears in so many English expressions. We use it to talk about remembering things, making decisions, describing how we feel, and even connecting with others.
Here are 15 useful collocations with ‘mind’ that will help you sound more natural and fluent in everyday English.
8 Natural English Expressions for Talking About Disappointment
We’ve all been there; the film that didn’t live up to the hype, the event that sounded amazing but turned out to be a bit of a let-down.
Disappointment is one of those universal feelings we all experience, and English has so many natural expressions to describe it. So today I’ve got 8 useful ways to talk about disappointment in English, with examples to help you use them naturally in real life.
How To Sound More British When You Speak English
If you’ve ever wondered how to sound more natural in a British English conversation, you might have noticed that it’s not just about vocabulary and grammar. The way British people speak is full of little quirks, habits and cultural expressions that make our conversations instantly recognisable.
This article (and my YouTube video) is a tongue-in-cheek guide to some of those habits.
10 English Phrasal Verbs with Drop
Phrasal verbs can feel a bit tricky sometimes. One little word like drop can suddenly have all these extra meanings when you add a small preposition. But the good news is that these verbs are super common in everyday English and once you know them, you’ll hear them everywhere.
Today, let’s look at 10 phrasal verbs with drop that you can start using straight away.
28 Everyday British English Slang Expressions
British people love slang. We use it constantly; in conversations with friends, at work, online, and even with complete strangers. The tricky thing is, a lot of it isn’t taught in English classes or textbooks. That’s why many learners feel confused when they hear phrases like “I had a wobble” or “That meeting did my head in.”
In this post, I’ve collected 28 slang expressions you’ll hear all the time in 2025.
Phrasal Verbs with 'Cut' You Need to Know
When you think of the verb 'cut', you might picture scissors, knives or haircuts. But in English, 'cut' takes on a whole new life when combined with little words like 'off', 'out' or 'back'. These combinations are called phrasal verbs, and they are some of the trickiest parts of English to master.
In this post we will look at some of the most common phrasal verbs with 'cut' and see how they are used in everyday situations.
Top 10 British English Passive Aggressive Phrases
Polite British English isn’t always as polite as it sounds. Sometimes our pleasant words are doing a very different job – softening a refusal, hiding disagreement, or gently shutting down a conversation without actually saying so.
Today, I’m going to share my top 10 passive aggressive British English phrases – the ones you’ll hear in everyday life that might not mean what you think. We’ll look at what they sound like, what they actually mean, and how to spot the warning signs.
Real Life British English: What Does ‘Have a Wobble’ Mean?
If you’ve spent time in the UK or watched a British TV show, you might have heard someone say they’ve ‘had a wobble’. But what does have a wobble mean in British English?
This little phrase is one of those brilliant bits of British English that’s both visual and emotional. It’s informal, warm, and a bit self-deprecating. It’s the kind of thing you might say to friends over a cuppa rather than in a formal meeting.
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.