5 British Idioms in 5 Minutes

Eat Sleep Dream English

1 Jun 201705:05

Summary

TLDRIn this video, Tom, the English Hipster, introduces British idioms to help learners sound more natural in everyday conversations. He explains common phrases such as 'feel under the weather' (to feel ill), 'call it a day' (to stop for the time being), 'play it by ear' (to decide later), 'in a tick' (very soon), 'easy peasy' (very easy), and 'spend a penny' (to go to the toilet). Tom encourages viewers to practice these idioms, share the video, and leave comments if they've missed any other British idioms.

Takeaways

🇬🇧 British idioms can make your English sound more natural and authentic.
🌧️ 'To feel under the weather' means to feel ill or sick.
🛑 'Call it a day' means to stop what you're doing and resume later.
🎶 'Play it by ear' means to make decisions later based on new information.
⏳ 'In a tick' means very soon or very quickly.
😊 'Easy peasy' refers to something that is really easy.
💰 'To spend a penny' is an old-fashioned, polite way of saying you need to go to the toilet.
🤔 Using these idioms can make your English sound more British and natural.
📆 Many of these idioms are commonly used in daily British English conversations.
👍 The speaker encourages viewers to subscribe, like, and share to help others learn English.

Q & A

What does the idiom 'feel under the weather' mean?
-The idiom 'feel under the weather' means to feel ill or sick. For example, if someone says 'I'm not coming to work today because I feel under the weather,' it means they are feeling unwell.
How is the phrase 'call it a day' used in British English?
-'Call it a day' is used to indicate stopping what you're doing for a temporary period. It’s commonly used at the end of a working day or after completing a task, meaning to stop now and continue later.
What does 'play it by ear' mean?
-The idiom 'play it by ear' means to not make a plan in advance and instead decide nearer the time or when more information is available. For example, if planning a picnic, you might say 'Let’s look at the weather and play it by ear,' meaning you'll make the final decision based on the weather later.
When do you use the idiom 'in a tick'?
-'In a tick' is used to say something will happen very soon or quickly. For example, 'I'll be there in a tick' means 'I’ll be there very soon.'
What does 'easy peasy' mean, and how is it used?
-'Easy peasy' means something is very easy or simple. For example, after completing a test, you might say, 'That was easy peasy,' meaning it was very easy.
What is the meaning of the phrase 'to spend a penny'?
-'To spend a penny' is a polite, old-fashioned British idiom that means to go to the toilet. It comes from the old practice of paying a penny to use public restrooms.

Outlines

00:00

🇬🇧 Introduction: Learn British Idioms

The speaker introduces themselves and sets the stage for the lesson by discussing British idioms. They express excitement about teaching common idioms used in everyday British English, which can help learners sound more 'British' if used correctly.

🤒 Idiom 1: Feeling Under the Weather

The first idiom discussed is 'to feel under the weather,' which means to feel sick or unwell. The speaker gives an example where someone might call into work and say they can't come because they feel 'under the weather,' meaning they are ill.

🛑 Idiom 2: Call It a Day

This idiom means to stop working or doing something for the time being. The speaker explains that people often use this phrase at the end of a task, like writing an essay, to indicate they are done for now and will continue later. It's commonly used at the end of a workday or task.

🎶 Idiom 3: Play It by Ear

The idiom 'play it by ear' is explained as making decisions as the situation unfolds rather than planning ahead. The speaker gives an example involving a picnic, suggesting waiting to see the weather before deciding when to go. The idiom is used when someone prefers to wait for more information before making a decision.

⏳ Idiom 4: In a Tick

The phrase 'in a tick' means very soon or quickly. The speaker illustrates its use in British English by saying one could tell a friend, 'I’ll be there in a tick,' which means they will arrive very soon. This idiom is a casual and natural part of everyday British conversation.

😎 Idiom 5: Easy Peasy

This playful idiom means something is very easy. The speaker explains that it’s often used in a light-hearted way to describe simple tasks, such as saying a test was 'easy peasy.' They repeat the phrase several times for emphasis, showing how fun and common it is in British English.

🚻 Idiom 6: Spend a Penny

The idiom 'spend a penny' is an old but polite way of saying someone needs to go to the toilet. The speaker explains the phrase originated from a time when public toilets in the UK charged a penny for entry. Though old-fashioned, it’s still a polite way to excuse oneself for a bathroom break.

💬 Conclusion: Share Your Favorite British Idioms

The speaker wraps up by inviting viewers to share any British idioms they know or think were missed. They encourage viewers to leave comments and spread knowledge of British English idioms. The speaker also thanks the audience and promotes the channel, encouraging viewers to like, subscribe, and share.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Under the weather

This British idiom means feeling ill or unwell. In the video, the host explains that you can use it to describe when you're feeling sick, like saying, 'I'm not coming to work today because I feel under the weather.' It ties into the theme of learning British idioms to sound more natural in English.

💡Call it a day

This phrase means to stop working or finish a task for the day. It is used to indicate taking a break after a period of work, like in the example, 'I've been writing all day, I'm going to call it a day.' The host relates this to the theme of everyday phrases that help non-native speakers sound more fluent.

💡Play it by ear

This idiom means to not make a fixed plan and instead decide as things unfold. In the video, the example given is about waiting to see what the weather is like before planning a picnic, illustrating that you can adapt plans based on new information. It connects with the theme of practical, everyday British expressions.

💡In a tick

A British expression meaning 'very soon' or 'in a short time.' The host explains you can use it to tell someone you'll do something shortly, like, 'I'll be there in a tick.' This phrase is part of the idioms being taught to make English sound more natural and colloquial.

💡Easy peasy

This playful phrase means something is very easy to do. The host emphasizes how fun and common this idiom is in British English, giving examples like, 'That test was easy peasy.' It aligns with the video's goal of teaching casual, conversational expressions.

💡Spend a penny

An old-fashioned yet polite British idiom meaning to go to the toilet. Historically, it referred to the cost of using a public toilet. The host uses this example to show how idioms can evolve over time, but still remain relevant in certain contexts. It reflects the cultural aspect of idiomatic language.

💡British idioms

The central theme of the video, referring to phrases unique to British English that may not be easily understood by non-native speakers. The host introduces several such idioms, demonstrating how using them can help learners sound more natural and British in their speech.

💡Temporary break

This concept is exemplified in the idiom 'call it a day,' where it signifies taking a pause or stopping work with the intention of continuing later. The idea of taking temporary breaks connects with the practical use of certain idioms in day-to-day situations.

💡Natural English

This refers to the way native speakers use idiomatic expressions to sound more fluent and less formal. The host's goal is to help learners incorporate these idioms into their everyday speech to improve fluency and sound more like native British speakers.

💡Everyday language

The video focuses on teaching idioms that are part of everyday British conversation. Examples like 'play it by ear' and 'in a tick' are common phrases that people use in casual settings. The theme of everyday language emphasizes the practical application of these idioms.

Highlights

Introduction to British idioms, designed to make English sound more natural and British.

Explanation of the idiom 'to feel under the weather,' meaning to feel ill or sick.

Definition of the idiom 'call it a day,' which means to stop working or end a task for the day.

Clarification of 'play it by ear,' meaning to make decisions spontaneously or based on available information later.

Use of 'in a tick' to mean 'very soon' or 'very quickly' in British English.

Description of 'easy peasy,' a fun idiom used to express that something is very easy.

Explanation of the idiom 'to spend a penny,' which is a polite way of saying 'to go to the toilet.'

The historical context of 'spend a penny,' referring to when people had to pay a penny to use public toilets.

Alternative modern phrasing, like 'I'm going to the loo,' as a more contemporary way to say 'going to the toilet.'

Encouragement for viewers to leave comments if the speaker missed any important British idioms.

Appeal for viewers to share the video with others learning English, emphasizing the community aspect of learning.

Promotion of the speaker's channel, encouraging subscriptions and likes to help spread the educational content.

The speaker’s persona, 'Tom the English hipster,' providing a relaxed and approachable tone for learning.

Highlight of the practicality of these idioms for making learners' English sound more British.

Invitation to help more people learn English by sharing the video with friends and other learners.