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Daft as a brush, and other very British sayings

234 replies

GypsyRoseGarden · 06/08/2020 11:07

Reading another thread, a poster mentioned “daft as a brush” which made me smile - it’s so very British - expressive but not vindictive

Another saying I like is “completely trollied” for so very drunk that they can’t walk straight

What are your favorite very British sayings ?

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 07/08/2020 08:34

Of puny muscles - 'like knots in cotton'.

MacduffsMuff · 07/08/2020 08:37

Slip showing - 'it's raining in Paris'.

woollyheart · 07/08/2020 08:52

A stitch in time (saves nine).

I remember 'sick as a parrot' used to be very popular. To the extent that whenever footballers were interviewed about a disappointing game, we held our breath until they said that they were 'sick as a parrot'. We were seldom disappointed.

itsaratrap · 07/08/2020 08:54

“You’ll be smiling on the other side of your face”

Huh? 🤪

BluebellsGreenbells · 07/08/2020 08:54

A bit of slap and tickle
Or house ya father

BluebellsGreenbells · 07/08/2020 09:05

How’s not house

Binterested · 07/08/2020 09:08

Bob's your uncle has something to do with a prime minister, Robert someone, who appointed his nephew to a role he wasn't qualified for. It was surprising that he should get that role but you know, when Bob's your uncle, it's easy.

Due an upgrade, given recent news, to "Boris is your brother".

TheLibraryIsOpen · 07/08/2020 09:29

My Grandad always said 'going to see a man about a dog' I expected him to have a dog each time we visited!

MadCatLadee · 07/08/2020 09:52

"Did you wet the bed this morning?"

When someone arrives early.

UnicornPug · 07/08/2020 09:54

If we were hanging about doing nothing my friends mom would always ask why we were standing there ‘like Venus on a rock bun’ She told us it was common up north but I’m yet to find anyone who agrees!

In my family we said ‘you should have had red hair and been called Rufus’ if someone did something praiseworthy.

Clawdy · 07/08/2020 15:09

In Manchester, it was always " like Piffy on a rock bun" !

KatherineJaneway · 07/08/2020 15:54

You've got a head of steam on you

HeronLanyon · 07/08/2020 17:08

And / or a second wind !

Mummiepig · 07/08/2020 17:34

Knock it on the head (stop it)
You’ve got tickets on yourself (think you’re so great)
Up and down like a yo yo
Born in a barn

BluebellsGreenbells · 07/08/2020 17:53

Thick as two short planks
Needs a rocket up the arse
Couldn’t fight his way out of a paper bag

Lonelycrab · 07/08/2020 17:54

Hair of the dog

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 07/08/2020 17:56

You're not as green as you are cabbage-looking!

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 07/08/2020 18:02

The bees knees Smile

Seracursoren · 07/08/2020 18:05

Mine are all Lancashire ones, well I think they are, they come from my childhood, from my Mum or Grandma and sadly neither are alive to ask. My Great Grandma was Irish, no idea if this has any influence over these.

Don't stand there like one of Lewis's - like a mannequin from John Lewis

It's the way you hold your mouth - it means you are the issue (like when trying to get a lid off a jar and you can't do it but someone else does it easily)

A midge's doofa - move something a teeny amount, a midge's penis length Grin

You make a better door than a window - I can't see through you (usually when two people sat down are talking and someone stands in between them)

You're never lost with a tongue in your head - you can always get directions

Nice weather (when it's raining, got to pause here waiting for surprise look on someone's face) for ducks, is the punchline

We had one but the leg fell off - when you butt into a conversation and expect to be filled in and that is all they give as a catch up

Each to their own said the farmer as he kissed his donkey's ass

Some people's taste is in their mouths - no taste in clothes/furnishings

I'll knock you into the middle of next week - I'll hit you so hard you will time travel

NetballHoop · 07/08/2020 18:13

An American I knew years back thought calling cheap wine "plonk" was hilarious.

belvoirbeaver · 07/08/2020 18:16

My grandma always used to say "you know what thought did, followed a muck cart and thought it was a wedding" whenever my cousins and I did something stupid and tried to excuse ourselves by saying "but we thought..." Grin

CatteStreet · 07/08/2020 18:36

Lovely thread.

If you think ... you've got another think coming (and yes, it is 'think')
'Get a move on' for 'hurry up'
Face like a wet weekend (the equivalent in German translates literally as 'face like seven days of rainy weather')
Give over/give it a rest/put a sock in it

My favourite German one is an expression of surprise - 'mein lieber Herr Gesangsverein' (literally 'my dear Mr Singing Club' Confused )

AdaColeman · 07/08/2020 19:03

In Liverpool, “Standing there like one of Lewis’s” is more likely to refer to Lewis’s department store, the long established city centre store, than John Lewis which is a relatively new arrival in the city.

ProfYaffle · 07/08/2020 19:30

What about "if x happens I'll show me arse in Lewis' window'?!

Lonelycrab · 07/08/2020 20:08

Having a knees up.

I mean, does putting your knees above their normal position mean you’re enjoying yourself?Confused