All Questions
Tagged with british-english phrases
70
questions
3
votes
1
answer
175
views
'Go on a binge' in British English?
If said without any accompanying information, is 'go on a binge' primarily understood by Brits as meaning a 'drinking binge'?
- 107
2
votes
1
answer
578
views
What's up with the syntax of "more fool me"?
In UK English, the idiom "more fool me" means something like "and I'm a fool for doing so".
But how might you try to understand the underlying syntax? Is "fool" an ...
- 123
2
votes
1
answer
271
views
Origin of "get back on terms"
I'm interested in finding the origin of the phrase "get back on terms". Commentators in the Tour de France and other big bike races use it all the time. I understand it in context; its ...
2
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Is saying " you know what I mean" and " you know what I am saying" rude in a formal setting?
I lived in an Asian country and I recently moved to Europe. English was very popular in my country.
I have seen african -american people and British people on youtube ( Mostly african -american) ...
- 131
4
votes
1
answer
479
views
What are searchers called?
Today my teacher taught me about using the prefix "re" to mean that you are doing something again. So for the word "Research" it means that you are doing some "search" ...
- 49
3
votes
1
answer
99
views
Usage of "Full stop. Fresh line" phrase instead of "full stop" or "period"
In Malta, there's a phrase "full stop. Fresh line" (or "full stop, fresh line") that seems to be in use by some speakers. It is equivalent to the British English "full stop&...
- 621
0
votes
4
answers
5k
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Can we say a door is slammed open?
”Slamming open the door”.
In British English, does the phrase denote a flung open door that slams into something? Or, does the phrase’s meaning stretch to violently opened doors in general?
- 107
2
votes
0
answers
363
views
“Can I ask it?”
In the TV show Ted Lasso, one character (of Nigerian descent) asks another for a roll of tape by saying “Can I ask it?” I wasn’t familiar with this phrasing. I think an American would have said “Could ...
- 131
0
votes
1
answer
618
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What is the grammatical nature of "wrote" in the phrase "The Wrote and The Writ"? [closed]
In the song The Wrote and the Writ by British singer and songwriter Johnny Flynn, the title uses that phrase which comes from the the last verse of the song:
If you're born with a love for the wrote ...
- 467
0
votes
0
answers
36
views
"That Da Vinci kid needs watched your highness."?
I read this today:
That Da Vinci kid needs watched your highness.
I assume they meant:
That Da Vinci kid needs watched, your highness.
The part I'm confused about is the "needs watched" ...
1
vote
3
answers
6k
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How long is "a few years ago now."?
My wife and I recently had a conversion where I said "...but that was a few years ago now."
My meaning was it was 10-15 years ago, but wife translated as about 3 years ago, which led to a ...
- 19
0
votes
0
answers
56
views
Cross-cultural use of Americanism?
I understand the scathing phrase 'You piece of garbage!' to be an Americanism. Is the phrase used fairly much in Britain, too?
- 107
0
votes
0
answers
427
views
"Prop up the table"
Under Moyes, United have fewer home points (21) than Norwich City and Hull City, with their count of 18 goals the same as Fulham and Cardiff City, who prop up the table. (source)
The phrase "prop up ...
- 1,172
0
votes
2
answers
116
views
Can I use the past perfect with present perfect in English
Is it correct to to use past perfect with present perfect as below
He has informed me that you had approved his request for a loan.
Please clarify. Thank you.
- 19
-1
votes
1
answer
101
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Which is standard usage in British English? [duplicate]
Which is standard usage in British English?
He said, 'Bite me.'
He said, 'Bite me'.
- 137