English like a native Ten British idiomatic expressions in English will not only help you sound more native and natural but will actually help you immerse yourself in the culture. Language reflects the culture, and behaviors of a nation, of a country.
What are the Brits famous for?
There are also many qualities that we would associate with British people, Britishness, that through language we embody. We act out these behaviors. Language and culture are very much interconnected. So, think about the Brits: they like to queue; they’re polite, perhaps overly polite; they don’t want to intrude or perhaps invade someone’s privacy; they are quite a private nation. And then, of course, there’s that famous stiff upper lip.
10 Expressions: English Like a Native
So, in this lesson: ten simple, common, frequently used expressions in English to help you not only sound more British but perhaps even behave more British. Some you might know, some you might not. Let’s get started now, focusing on being
- Pardon me/I beg your pardon
- No offense but…
- I’m not being funny, but…
- Fancy a cuppa?
- It’s not my cup of tea
- What will the neighbors think?
- I don’t want to make a fuss
- To have/need a stiff upper lip
- Mad dogs and Englishmen! (Go out in the midday sun)
- Bob’s your uncle!
1. Pardon me/I beg your pardon
Meaning: When you didn’t hear what was said, when you are shocked by what someone said, to apologize.
An explanation for ‘Pardon me’
You can say ‘pardon me’ when you are either unsure of what someone said or even if you’ve done something and you feel you’ve done something rude
For example
- Pardon me, I didn’t quite catch you.
- Oh, pardon me, I didn’t mean to interrupt.
An explanation for ‘I beg your pardon’
This British idiomatic expression is a little formal. less commonly used, but you will certainly hear it.
Examples:
- I beg your pardon, what did you just say?
- Oh, sorry, I beg your pardon, I didn’t want to interrupt you there (when you are trying to be polite)
2. No offense but…
Meaning: When you to be more polite, and you don’t want to cause offence, but probably well anyway.
Explanation:
When we know we’re going to say something that will offend, but we don’t want to offend, we’re going to say the thing that we’re going to say anyway. [british expressions english like a native]
Examples:
- No offense but... did you actually read your essay before you handed this in?
- No offense but I... do think you’re wrong about that.
- No offense but... have you ever actually picked up a grammar book and studied English grammar?
3. I’m not being funny, but…
Meaning: when you want to soften a complaint or comment that might not be popular.
Explanation:
Britishers use this expression when they are trying to soften a complaint.
Examples:
- Normal Sentence: My hotel room is completely filthy, could you get it cleaned again for me? Thank you
- British Expression: I’m not being funny, but I don’t think our room has actually been cleaned properly. Would you mind getting someone to go up there and give it a good clean again? Thank you so much.
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4. Fancy a cuppa?
Meaning: to ask someone if they would like a cup of tea. The polite thing to do when someone visits you.
Explanation:
Britisher never says, Would you like a cup of tea? because it seems very strange. Colloquial, natural spoken English would be “Fancy a cuppa?” Not even “Would you” or “Do you” but “Fancy a cuppa?” To fancy, remember, is an informal colloquial verb that we would use to say you desire, or want something, and “cuppa” would be more colloquial slang for “cup of tea.”
Examples:
- Fancy a cuppa? Earl Grey or builder’s tea?
5. It’s not my cup of tea
Meaning: It’s a nice way and polite way to say you don’t like something or aren’t interested in doing something.
Examples:
- Oh, I would love to come and see the film with you, but you know, horror films—it’s not really my cup of tea.
6. What will the neighbors think?
Meaning: to be worried about what other people will think of you and not want it to be in a negative way.
Explanation:
You’re kind of taking this view that you do care. You care about the impression you give, you want to be seen as an upstanding member of society.
In British English, they do have this expression, “What will the neighbors think?” when we are concerned about perhaps what our indeed neighbors, the people that live around them, might think of our behavior. [british expressions english like a native] Meaning, what kind of people do they think we’ve got living here.
Examples:
- What will the neighbors think when you are outside screaming over me?
7. I don’t want to make a fuss
Meaning: when a person trying to be very polite and does not want to cause a problem or issue even when there is one
Explanation:
When you don’t want to cause too many problems, when you don’t want to inconvenience somebody to ask them, request them to do something, or complain about something that may cause them additional work. A fuss is like a bother, like a commotion, so causing problems.
Examples:
- I didn’t want to make a fuss, but I think you’re parked across my driveway. Would you mind moving the car at some point?
- I don’t want to make a fuss, but I think you’ll find my chicken isn’t cooked properly. Could you send it back to the kitchen, please? (you are trying to be so polite, not offend or upset anyone).
8. To have/need a stiff upper lip
Meaning: referring to the British ways of not showing too much emotion, whether that is sadness or indeed joy, elation, or happiness.
Explanation:
Think about the royal family, they really do represent the British stiff upper lip. So, essentially, with the stiff upper lip, you don’t move your lip very much. So, you’re very much like, “Yes, yes, I feel very sad about that situation but you’re not showing any emotion.
Example:
- Come on, you’re in England now, have more of a stiff upper lip. Don’t let these things upset you.
9. Mad dogs and Englishmen! (Go out in the midday sun)
Meaning: a situation to change your behavior the British love of sun-worshiping. Often referring to strange or crazy British behavior.
Explanation:
Use it as an expression in passing when you want to comment on how British people can sometimes be a little bit strange, crazy, or unusual. It really refers to the British way of not adapting to certain situations just because they are so stubborn.
In this case, we’re talking about Englishmen going out in the midday sun, in the extreme heat, with their dogs—despite the fact it is too hot.
10. Bob’s your uncle!
Meaning: an exclamation used after giving instructions or when something has been successfully completed.
When to use this expression:
Essentially, you could use this expression when you have explained how to do something to someone.
Conclusion
These were ten fun, quintessentially British expressions that also help you integrate with the British culture, and think a little bit more like a Brit, whether you fancy a cuppa or want to have more of a stiff upper lip. [british expressions english like a native] These expressions will help. Because they are really more idiomatic, but they are very very British and really do represent how crazy the Brits are.
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