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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

British Slang Quiz: How Well Do You Know UK Lingo?

Think You Know British Slang Terms? Challenge Your UK Lingo!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for free British slang quiz on coral background challenging you to test UK slang and idioms knowledge

This British slang quiz helps you see how well you use common UK phrases and idioms. Play for a quick brain warm‑up, spot gaps, and pick up a few new terms as you go. Want more? Try another lingo quiz or switch to a teen slang version.

What does 'knackered' mean?
Rich
Very tired
Broken
Very excited
In British slang, 'knackered' means extremely tired or exhausted. It is commonly used after physical exertion or a long day. The term originates from the word 'knacker', which refers to a vehicle or animal brought for slaughter due to old age or infirmity.
What does 'loo' refer to in British slang?
Kitchen
Toilet
Living room
Garden
'Loo' is the common British slang term for 'toilet'. It's an informal and polite way to refer to the restroom. The origin is uncertain, but it's been in use since the late 19th century.
What does 'cheers' commonly mean in British slang?
Sorry
Hello
Goodbye
Thank you
In British English, 'cheers' is often used to mean 'thank you' in informal contexts. It can also be used as a casual toast when drinking, but its primary slang usage is expressing gratitude. Over time, it has become a versatile colloquialism.
What does 'bloody' as an intensifier mean?
Hardly
Rarely
Very
Literally
In British slang, 'bloody' is a common intensifier meaning 'very' or 'extremely'. While once considered a mild swear word, it's now widely accepted in informal speech. It emphasizes the adjective that follows, as in 'bloody brilliant'.
What does 'mate' refer to?
Stranger
Boss
Friend
Enemy
In British slang, 'mate' is used to refer to a friend or companion. It's equivalent to 'buddy' or 'pal' in American English. You might hear people say, 'Alright, mate?' as a casual greeting.
What does 'bloke' mean?
Woman
Man
Animal
Child
In British slang, 'bloke' is a casual term for a man. It's similar to 'guy' in American English. You might hear someone say, 'He's a good bloke' to mean 'He's a good man'.
What does 'quid' represent?
Dollar
Yen
Pound sterling
Euro
In British slang, a 'quid' is one pound sterling. It's equivalent to saying 'buck' in American English. The origin is unclear, but it's been used since the late 1600s.
What does 'plonker' refer to?
A shoe
A foolish person
A hat
A food
'Plonker' is British slang for someone who is foolish or incompetent. It's a mild insult, often used jokingly among friends. The term was popularized by the TV show 'Only Fools and Horses'.
What does 'rubbish' as a noun mean?
Fantastic
Funny
Trash
Busy
In British English, 'rubbish' means garbage or trash. It can also be used as an adjective to describe something of poor quality. The word has Germanic origins and has been in use for centuries.
What does 'brilliant' mean in British slang?
Stupid
Small
Excellent
Ugly
In British slang, 'brilliant' colloquially means 'excellent' or 'outstanding'. It's a positive reaction to something impressive. While originally meaning 'shining', its slang usage is very common today.
What does 'chuffed' mean?
Angry
Ill
Proud and pleased
Confused
'Chuffed' is British slang meaning pleased or delighted. It often follows good news or success. The term dates from the early 20th century.
What does 'dodgy' mean?
Spotless
Very expensive
Suspicious or unreliable
Very fast
In British slang, 'dodgy' describes something or someone suspicious or untrustworthy. It can also mean risky or of poor quality. The term is widely used in informal speech.
What does 'throw a spanner in the works' mean?
Clarify the plan
Avoid doing work
Complete a task successfully
Cause a disruption or problem
This idiom means to cause an unexpected problem or obstacle. It originates from the idea of putting a spanner (wrench) into a machine's gears, halting its operation. It's commonly used in both British and other varieties of English.
What does 'gutted' mean?
Terrified
Very hungry
Extremely disappointed
Overjoyed
In British slang, 'gutted' means deeply disappointed. The term conveys a strong emotional let-down. It's often used after someone misses out on something important.
What does 'snog' mean?
To kiss passionately
To dance
To argue
To drive
'Snog' is a British colloquialism meaning to kiss someone, usually in a passionate or prolonged way. It's informal and often used among younger speakers. The word has been in use since the 1930s.
What does 'taking the mickey' mean?
Helping someone
Purchasing something
Teasing or mocking someone
Ignoring someone
To 'take the mickey' means to mock or tease someone, often in a lighthearted way. It can be shortened to 'taking the mick'. The phrase likely comes from 'taking the mick out of'.
What does 'skint' mean?
Happy
Well-dressed
Tired
Broke or having no money
'Skint' is British slang used to describe being penniless or broke. It's an informal term commonly used in conversation. Its origins are uncertain but it's been in use since the early 20th century.
What does 'have a gander' mean?
Sing a song
Take a nap
Take a look
Eat something
To 'have a gander' means to take a look at something. 'Gander' literally refers to a male goose, but in this phrase it's used figuratively for 'glance'. The usage dates back to the early 19th century.
What does 'kip' mean in British slang?
To sleep or nap
To run fast
To argue
To eat quickly
In British slang, 'kip' means to have a nap or sleep. You might hear, 'I'm going for a kip'. It can also refer to a place you sleep if it's unpleasant.
What does 'pants' mean when describing something?
Of poor quality or rubbish
Comfortable
Stylish
Expensive
'Pants' in British slang can mean something is of poor quality or disappointing. It's informal and often followed by an exclamation, e.g., 'That film was pants'. This usage likely evolved in the late 20th century.
What does 'to grudge someone something' mean?
Be unwilling to give or allow
Rob someone
Owe someone
Praise someone
To 'grudge someone something' means to be resentful or unwilling to give them something. It implies jealousy or bitterness. The phrase dates back to Middle English.
What does 'cack-handed' mean?
Clumsy
Generous
Quiet
Wealthy
'Cack-handed' is a British informal term meaning awkward or clumsy. It is synonymous with 'left-handed' in some dialects, suggesting less skill. The term is over a century old.
What does 'miffed' mean?
Excited
Sleepy
Annoyed or offended
Hungry
'Miffed' in British English means somewhat annoyed or upset. It's less severe than angry, often implying mild irritation. The word has been used since the early 20th century.
What does 'skive' mean?
Eat
Work hard
Avoid work or school
Dance
'Skive' is British slang meaning to shirk duties or to play truant. It's often used by students or workers avoiding responsibilities. The term dates back to the late 19th century.
What does 'rabbit on' mean?
Stay silent
Run quickly
Eat rapidly
Talk on and on
To 'rabbit on' means to talk continuously, often about unimportant things. It's informal and somewhat dismissive. The origin comes from the idea of rapid, repetitive chatter.
What does 'have a face like thunder' mean?
Laugh heartily
Cry loudly
Be very tired
Look very angry
This idiom means to appear extremely angry or upset. The simile compares a stormy expression to thunderous skies. It's used in both British and wider English.
What does 'spiffing' mean?
Boring
Splendid or excellent
Broken
Difficult
'Spiffing' is an old-fashioned British adjective meaning splendid or first-rate. It's often used humorously today to evoke a bygone era. The word peaked in popularity in the early 20th century.
What does 'Bob's your uncle' mean?
Surprise!
And there you have it (simple solution)
Time to leave
I don't care
'Bob's your uncle' is a phrase meaning 'and there you have it', indicating a simple or assured result. Its origin is uncertain but dates to the late 19th century. It's a lighthearted colloquialism.
What does 'whinge' mean?
Eat quickly
Jump high
Complain persistently
Sleep deeply
To 'whinge' means to complain in a whining manner. It's often used when someone is repeatedly voicing minor grievances. The term originates from late 19th-century British slang.
What does 'bevy' mean in British slang?
A song
A dance
A horse
An alcoholic drink
In British slang, a 'bevy' is slang for an alcoholic beverage, especially beer. It's informal and commonly heard in pubs. The word likely comes from 'beverage'.
What does 'yonks' mean?
A small amount
Very fast
Immediately
A very long time
'Yonks' is slang for 'ages' or 'a very long time'. It's informal and chiefly used in the UK. The term may originate from Romani or Polari jargons.
What does 'codswallop' mean?
Praise
Excitement
Nonsense
Danger
'Codswallop' is British slang meaning nonsense or rubbish talk. The origin is debated but popularized in the early 20th century. It's used to dismiss statements as untrue or silly.
In Cockney rhyming slang, what does 'brown bread' mean?
Funny
Rich
Dead
Sleepy
In Cockney rhyming slang, 'brown bread' rhymes with 'dead' and thus means 'dead'. Cockney rhyming slang substitutes a phrase for a word, often dropping the rhyme. This term dates back to the early 20th century.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recognize Popular British Slang -

    Identify and define key terms featured in our british slang quiz, such as "bloke," "cheeky," and "knackered," to build your UK slang vocabulary.

  2. Differentiate Slang and Idioms -

    Distinguish between everyday British slang expressions and traditional idioms, improving your understanding of nuanced UK language use.

  3. Enhance Contextual Usage -

    Understand the social and regional contexts where british slang terms quiz entries are commonly used, ensuring you know when and how to drop them.

  4. Apply Slang in Conversation -

    Practice crafting sentences with popular British slang vocabulary from our british slang vocabulary test to sound more natural and engaging.

  5. Self-Assess Your Slang Level -

    Gauge your proficiency through immediate feedback on quiz responses, helping you measure progress and spot areas for improvement.

  6. Share UK Slang Trivia -

    Build confidence to challenge friends with fun UK slang trivia and expand your circle of slang-savvy mates.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Regional Variations -

    British slang quiz takers should note how terms shift across regions: "mate" in the South might be "pal" in the Midlands. The BBC's dialect maps highlight these subtle differences, so annotating your notes by region can boost recall. Try the mnemonic "Nose goes North" to remember Northern variants first.

  2. Etymology and Origin -

    Understanding a word's history, like "knackered" (from knacker's yard, per the Oxford English Dictionary), deepens retention and provides fascinating context. Reviewing etymologies on OED or Etymonline makes quiz questions stick. Jot a quick timeline beside each term to track its evolution.

  3. Register and Context -

    Knowing when to use slang in formal vs. informal settings is crucial: "bloke" is friendly in casual chat but not in a business email. The British Council's style guides offer clear examples of correct usage, guiding your quiz prep. Practice by rewriting a formal sentence into a "cheeky" version to sharpen your instincts.

  4. Mnemonic Tricks for Common Phrases -

    Memory aids like "Cheeky Nando's" help cement that "cheeky" means a spontaneous, fun action. Associating vivid images with phrases quickly readies you for any british slang vocabulary test. Create mini flashcards pairing the phrase with your personal mnemonic image.

  5. Idiom Decoding -

    Idioms like "Bob's your uncle" (Cambridge Dictionary) mean "there you go," and often appear in british slang trivia. Break down idioms into literal and figurative components to understand them fully. Chart ten common idioms in a table, listing meaning, origin, and sample sentence.

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