Everyday Speech

Behaving foolishly, messing around, causing trouble, or refusing to take something seriously.

“Stop acting the maggot and finish your homework.”

Wrongly arranged, badly handled, reversed, confused, or in a complete mess.

“The booking went arseways when the dates changed.”

Too obvious, easily noticed, exposed, or likely to attract unwanted attention.

“Don’t take your phone out in front of the teacher — that’s way too bait.”

Broken, ruined, exhausted, or no longer functioning properly.

“The washing machine is banjaxed again.”

Naughty, badly behaved, or disobedient, especially of a child.

“Don’t be bold—leave your sister alone.”

Fine, excellent, attractive, or pleasing. The word can describe a person, an object, the weather, or a general situation.

“It’s a braw day for a walk by the water.”

Excellent, very good, stylish, or impressive.

“That goal was class.”

Excellent, impressive, exciting, or highly enjoyable.

“That new track is deadly.”

A mild-to-strong exclamation or verb used in place of a more explicit swear word.

“Feck it, we’ll try again tomorrow.”

Funny, amusing, ridiculous in an entertaining way, or full of comic energy.

“Your aunt is gas—she had everyone laughing.”

Fine, okay, acceptable, settled, or not worth making a fuss about.

“I’m grand, thanks—how are you?”

A tag meaning roughly “isn’t it?”, “right?”, or adding emphasis.

“That train was packed, innit?”

Very tired, worn out, or exhausted.

“I’m knackered after that shift.”

To rain heavily, move quickly, strike, pour generously, or proceed with energetic force.

“It’s lashing rain outside.”

Little or small; also heard in familiar expressions such as “likkle more,” meaning see you later.

“Just add a likkle pepper to the pot.”

A soft drink or fizzy drink, especially in older, regional, or hospitality-related usage.

“Will you have tea or a mineral?”

A cupboard, cabinet, or enclosed storage space.

“The mugs are in the press beside the sink.”

Having little or no money, especially temporarily.

“I’m skint until payday, so I’m staying in tonight.”

Good, decent, trustworthy, kind, or agreeable.

“Your new housemate is sound.”

A flexible phrase that acknowledges reality, softens a conclusion, or signals that little more can be done.

“Ah sure look, we did our best.”

A thing, object, device, or person whose exact name is unknown, forgotten, or unnecessary.

“Hand me that yoke beside the kettle.”