You may already speak good English, but textbooks rarely teach the everyday British slang and informal phrases that make you sound like a native. Below is a practical list of the words and expressions people actually use, grouped into everyday phrases, British ones and American ones, with what each means and when to use it. Learn a handful and you will follow real conversations far more easily.
English Expressions to Speak Like a Native
Everyday English expressions
These informal phrases are used widely across the English-speaking world:
| Expression | Meaning and use |
|---|---|
| a rip-off / to get ripped off | Something badly overpriced; "Oh no, I got ripped off!" |
| I'd better… | A softer way to say "I should…" ("I'd better go before the shop shuts") |
| can't make it | Cannot attend ("I can't make it to the match, I've made other plans") |
| cheesy / corny | Clichéd, unoriginal or kitschy, especially films or chat-up lines |
| chill / chill out | To relax; also "calm down" |
| coulda / shoulda / woulda | Casual for "could have", "should have", "would have" |
| couldn't care less | Completely uninterested |
| don't mind / don't care / doesn't matter | Ways to say you have no preference |
| no worries / no problem | Informal "you're welcome" |
| down to earth | Realistic and unpretentious |
| dude / man | Informal word for a friend |
| dunno | Short for "don't know" |
| easy-going / laid-back | Relaxed and tolerant |
| fair enough | "That's understandable" or "that's fine" |
| to be free | To be available, to have time (also "free of charge") |
| I get it | I understand |
| go ahead / go for it | Giving someone permission or encouragement |
| gonna / wanna / gotta | Casual for "going to", "want to", "got to" |
| gotcha | Short for "I've got you", meaning "I understand" |
| to grab | To get or fetch ("want to grab a coffee?") |
| hang on | Wait a moment |
| to hang out | To spend time with friends |
| I'm afraid… | A polite way to give bad news ("I'm afraid the tickets are sold out") |
| it's up to you | You decide |
| long time no see | Said when you meet someone after a long time |
| make yourself at home | Said warmly to a guest |
| may as well / might as well | Reluctant agreement when there is no better option |
| my bad | "My fault", a casual apology |
| not my thing | Not to your taste or interest |
| no way! | An exclamation of surprise or disbelief |
| speak of the devil! | Said when someone appears just as you mention them |
| take care / take it easy | An informal goodbye |
| to be up for… | To be keen to do something ("are you up for football?") |
| what are you up to? | Informal for "what are you doing?" |
| what do you do? | Short for "what do you do for a living?" |
| whatever | "No matter what"; or a dismissive "yeah, right" |
| yeah (not yes) | Informal "yes"; "yes" alone can sound curt |
Learn English in England
British English you will hear in the UK
If you are studying in England, these come up constantly:
| Expression | Meaning and use |
|---|---|
| a cuppa | A cup of tea |
| alright? / you alright? | A British greeting, simply meaning "hello" |
| Bob's your uncle | "And there you have it", said at the end of simple instructions |
| I can't be bothered | You lack the motivation to do something |
| cheers | "Thanks" (as well as a toast); often used to sign off a message |
| crikey / blimey! | Very British exclamations of surprise or shock |
| dodgy | Dubious, unreliable or poor quality (the British "sketchy") |
| to faff (around) | To waste time or dawdle ("stop faffing around") |
| gutted | Very disappointed |
| knackered | Very tired (the first "k" is silent) |
| mate | Friend (the British "dude" or "man") |
| nice one | A colloquial "thanks" or "well done" |
| not bad | Actually means "good"; taken positively in the UK |
| not bothered / not fussed | You have no strong preference |
| not my cup of tea | Not to your liking |
| nuts | Crazy; also amazing or unbelievable, good or bad |
| under the weather | Feeling ill |
American English you will hear in the US
A few you will notice more in the States:
| Expression | Meaning and use |
|---|---|
| to dillydally | To waste time or dawdle (the American "faff") |
| don't mention it | Informal "you're welcome" |
| to be down | Up for something ("you down to go out?"); can also mean sad |
| knick-knack | Small ornaments or odds and ends (both "k"s silent) |
| knock it off / quit it | "Stop that", when something is annoying (the "k" is silent) |
| sketchy | Dubious, unreliable or poor quality (the American "dodgy") |
| spent | Very tired |
Summary
The fastest way to sound natural is to learn the everyday phrases that textbooks skip: greet people with "alright?" or "what's up?", agree with "fair enough", say "cheers" for thanks, and drop in a "no worries" or "might as well".
Notice the British and American differences too, so "dodgy" and "sketchy", or "knackered" and "spent", do not trip you up.
The best way to make them stick is to hear them in use, on an English course with SPRACHCAFFE in Malta, London or Brighton.
FAQ
Because textbooks rarely teach the everyday expressions native speakers actually use. Learning a few helps you follow real conversations and sound far more natural.
Yes, considerably. Many informal expressions are specific to British or American English, so it is worth learning the ones common where you plan to use your English.
"Knackered" means very tired, "cheers" can mean thanks, and "a rip-off" means something overpriced. These turn up constantly in everyday British conversation.
A handful at a time, used soon afterwards, rather than long lists. Focus on the most common expressions first, then add more as you hear them in context.
Everyday slang is caught, not taught, which a course abroad exposes you to daily.
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