The Best British Idioms and Slang Beginning with ‘A’ and ‘B’

1. A few sandwiches short of a picnic = nem egészen komplett

Someone that lacks common sense might be described as “a few sandwiches short of a picnic.”

The phrase was first documented in the BBC’s “Lenny Henry Christmas Special” in 1987.

“She’s great fun, but she’s a few sandwiches short of a picnic.” – Nagyon vicces lány, de nem egészen komplett.

2. Anorak = olyan ember, akit olyan dolog érdekel, amit más unalmasnak és érdektelennek talál, penge valamiben, kocka

Although it’s more often used as a synonym for raincoat, an anorak is something slightly different in playground slang.

Someone that’s a little bit geeky, with strong interests or expertise in a niche area, might be referred to as an “anorak.” This probably originates from the “uncool” appearance of anorak coats and the people wearing them.

“Thomas is such an anorak when it comes to train trivia.” – Thomas penge, ha a vonatokkal kapcsolatos tényekről van szó.

3. Bagsy = lestoppolni, valamire kifejezni az igényét

Calling “bagsy” is the equivalent of calling “shotgun” or “dibs” when something, like the front seat of the car, is offered up to a group.

Schoolkids might call “bagsy” on items from their friends’ pack lunches, like an apple or a cereal bar that the friend isn’t going to eat.

“Does anyone want thi—” – Akarja valaki ezt a …

“Bagsy!” – Stip – stop! Én!

4. Bee’s knees = szuper, király, zsír

This phrase became mainstream in the USA in the 1920s despite its British origins, but its popularity in the States has dwindled since the turn of the century.

The “bee’s knees” referred to small or insignificant details when it was first documented in the 18th century. Since then, the phrase has evolved and refers to something at the “height of cool.”

“The Beatles are the bee’s knees.” – A Beatles nagyon király.

5. Bender – kirúg a hámból, több napon át iszik és bulizik

Someone on a spree of excessive drinking and mischief is “on a bender.”

Benders often last over 24 hours, and so you might say that someone is on “a weekend bender,” or a “three-day bender.”

“I bumped into him towards the end of his four-day bender. He was a wreck.” – Összefutottam vele a négynapos bulizása végén. Szörnyen nézett ki.

6. Blinder – bravúr

To “pull a blinder” involves achieving something difficult faultlessly and skilfully.

The phrase is most commonly used when the individual has been lucky and the person saying it is in disbelief that the first person has managed to pull it off.

“And did you see that equalising goal in the last minute of injury time? He pulled a blinder there.” – Láttad azt az egyenlítő gólt a hosszabbítás végén? Igazi bravúrt vitt végbe.

7. Bloody or Bleeding – átkozottul, nagyon, irtóra

This intensifier can be added to practically any sentence in order to demonstrate incredulity or anger.

Some people consider “bloody” offensive (the origins of the word are widely disputed, so we can’t be sure why) and it was considered a profanity until the mid-20th century.

The origins of the word are widely disputed. Some believe it’s derived from the Dutch word “blute,” meaning “bare.” Others believe the word is a contraction of the 17th century phrase “by our lady,” and is blasphemous. This second theory has been disproved, however, by the slang’s documentation predating the popularity of the phrase “by our lady.”

Nowadays, “bloody” is used widely — it’s even used in children’s films such as “Harry Potter” — and is arguably one of the most quintessentially British words on the list.

“That was bloody good.” – Tök jó volt.

8. Bob’s your uncle – Na ugye! Na látod!

The very British equivalent to “Hey presto!” or “Et voila!”

This phrase is used to describe a process which seems more difficult than it actually is.

“Press down the clutch, put it into gear, then slowly ease off the clutch again. Bob’s your uncle — you’re driving!” – Nyomd meg a kuplungot, tedd sebességbe, lassan engedd fel a kuplungot. Na látod, már vezetsz is!

9. Bog-standard – közönséges, semmi különös

Something that is “bog-standard” is completely ordinary with no frills, embellishments, or add-ons.

Its origins are somewhat unclear, but a “bog” is another word for a toilet in British slang, adding to the connotations that something “bog-standard” is unglamorous and unspecial.

“How was the hostel?” “Oh, nothing exciting to report. Just your bog-standard dorm, really.” – Milyen volt a szálló? Ó, hát semmi különös. Tényleg csak egy semmi különös kollégium volt.

10. Boot – autócsomagtartó

The “boot” is the compartment at the back of the car known as the “trunk” in American English.

“Shove the shopping in the boot.” – Dobd be amit vásároltál a csomagtartóba!

11. Botch job – kontármunka, elnagyolt munka

A repair job that’s been completed in a hurry and will probably fall apart reasonably soon is considered a “botch job.”

“Sam did a botch job on these shelves — they’re wonky!” – Sam kontármunkát végzett a polcokkal. Nem stabilak.

12. Brolly – ernyő

Abbreviation of “umbrella.”

“Grab your brolly, it’s drizzling outside.” – Kapd fel az ernyődet! Szemerkél az eső odakint.

13. Budge up – arrébb húzódni

An informal way of asking someone to make room where they are sitting for you to sit down, too, would be asking them to “budge up.”

It’s similar to “scoot over” or “move over.”

“Hey, there’s loads of room on that bench. Budge up and make some room for us, too!” – Hé, rengeteg hely van még azon a padon! Húzódjatok arrébb, csináljatok nekünk is helyet!

14. Builder’s tea – egy csésze erős tea

The name of a strongly-brewed cup of English breakfast tea with milk — the way that tea is most commonly drunk in the UK.

It’s common courtesy to offer a labourer or builder working on your house a builder’s tea while they’re working — especially if they’re working out in the cold. This is probably how the term came about.

“A bacon sandwich and a builder’s tea. Now that’s a proper breakfast.” – Szalonnás szendvics egy csésze erős teával. Ez az igazán jó reggeli.

15. Butchers – pillantást vetni valamire

“Butcher’s hook” is Cockney rhyming slang for “look.” Therefore, if you’re “having a butchers,” you’re having a look at something.

“Would you take a butchers at this broken bike for me?” – Vetnél egy pillantást erre a lerobbant biciklire?

source: Business Insider