British English Expressions

noun a formal request for permission or approval

verb to request or ask for permission

• I must beg leave to excuse myself from the meeting as I have an urgent matter to attend to.
• I need to beg leave to step out for a moment to make a phone call.
• I gotta beg leave to go grab some food before the movie starts.
• The artist's work begs leave from traditional techniques, creating a unique style.

adjective feeling annoyed or fed up

adverb in a manner that shows annoyance or frustration

• The employees were getting browned off with the constant changes in management.
• I'm getting browned off with all the construction noise next door.
• She was really browned off when her favorite show got canceled.
• His constant complaining really browned off his friends.

noun a derogatory term for a person, often used to express annoyance or frustration

• The technician encountered a bugger in the software code that caused the system to crash.
• Oh bugger, I forgot to bring my umbrella and now it's raining.
• That bugger always knows how to push my buttons.
• Dealing with this difficult situation is a real bugger.

noun a period of two weeks

• The project deadline is set for a fortnight from now.
• Let's catch up for coffee in a fortnight.
• I'll be out of town for a fortnight, so let's hang out when I'm back.
• She felt like she had been walking in circles for a fortnight trying to find a solution.

noun idle or trivial talk or chatter

verb to talk casually, especially about unimportant matters

• During the meeting, they engaged in a lengthy natter about the latest industry developments.
• I love getting together with my friends for a good natter over coffee.
• Let's grab a pint and have a quick natter about the game last night.
• The leaves on the trees seemed to natter to each other as the wind rustled through them.

noun a type of speech that denotes a person, place, thing, or idea

• The professor dismissed the student's argument as mere stuff and nonsense.
• Don't listen to him, it's all just stuff and nonsense.
• That's total stuff and nonsense, bro.
• Her excuses were just stuff and nonsense, trying to cover up the truth.

adjective Describing someone who talks loudly, confidently, and in a confrontational manner, often without considering the feelings of others.

• She was considered gobby by her peers due to her outspoken nature.
• I can't stand how gobby he gets after a few drinks.
• Stop being so gobby, you're starting to annoy everyone.
• His gobby attitude was like a constant buzzing in my ear, impossible to ignore.

noun a fine rain or drizzle

verb to rain in fine drops; drizzle

• The weather forecast predicts a light mizzle this afternoon.
• I forgot my umbrella and got caught in the mizzle on my way to work.
• Let's stay inside and avoid the mizzle outside.
• The mizzle of doubt clouded his mind as he tried to make a decision.

verb to ruin or damage something

adjective in a state of disrepair or dysfunction

• The machinery was buggered beyond repair.
• I'm buggered if I know how to fix this problem.
• He's always getting himself buggered up in silly situations.
• The team's chances of winning were buggered by the last-minute injury.

noun a teasing or mocking remark or action

verb to make teasing or mocking remarks or actions towards someone

• The colleagues engaged in light-hearted chiack during their lunch break.
• We always chiack with each other at the office.
• Stop chiacking around and get to work!
• His words were like a constant chiack in the back of my mind.

noun a person who has no friends or companions

adjective used to describe someone who is lonely or has no friends

• Despite his best efforts, John found himself labeled as a 'Billy no mates' by his colleagues.
• Poor Dave was feeling like a 'Billy no mates' at the party last night.
• I don't want to be a 'Billy no mates' at the pub, so I'll invite a few friends along.
• Being a 'Billy no mates' can sometimes be a blessing in disguise, allowing for introspection and personal growth.

noun A word used to name a person, place, thing, or idea. In this context, 'something' is a noun that refers to an unspecified action or task that cannot be done.

verb A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence. In this context, 'do' is a verb that indicates the action that cannot be performed due to the lack of energy or motivation.

adjective A word that describes or gives more information about a noun. In this context, 'shagged' is used as an adjective to express exhaustion or lack of energy.

preposition A word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. In this context, 'to' is a preposition that indicates the purpose or intention of the action described by 'shagged'.

• I can't be shagged to attend the meeting tomorrow as I have prior commitments.
• I can't be shagged to clean my room right now, I'm too tired.
• I can't be shagged to study for that exam, I'll just wing it.
• I can't be shagged to deal with the drama in the office anymore, I'm looking for a new job.