Guide to common English expressions
A handy glossary of figurative sayings and slang.
People all over the world use figurative expressions to describe their circumstances and emotions. Often, the words used in these expressions don’t appear to have any connection to what they’re describing.
For example, ‘feeling under the weather’ is a common phrase that means ‘feeling unwell’. Taken literally, it means something completely different.
If you were raised and educated in a different country, you may find these expressions to be an additional obstacle when assessing a patient’s health and wellbeing.
This guide provides some common English phrases and their meanings. The aim of this guide is to help you feel more confident when having important conversations with the people you care for.
Common sayings
Meaning: All the time. 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “My mother seems to be in pain 24/7."
Meaning: A difficult truth to have to accept.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “Learning that my appointment had been cancelled was a bitter pill to swallow after waiting so long."
Meaning: Confirmation that a person is in good health.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “The practice nurse gave me a clean bill of health at my last appointment.”
Meaning: A new energetic and positive approach towards life, commonly after a difficult time.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “The new medication is working well. It’s given me a new lease of life.”
Meaning: Listening intently.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “If you have any advice about how to stop the swelling in my leg, I’m all ears."
Meaning: To avoid saying something difficult or uncomfortable directly by saying it vaguely instead.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “Please don’t beat around the bush when talking about my condition with me."
Meaning: There are more important things to do or people to see.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “Don’t worry about me and my cough. I’m sure you have bigger fish to fry."
Meaning: Making the difficult decision to do something you’re not looking forward to.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “I’ve decided to bite the bullet and go ahead with the biopsy as soon as possible."
Meaning: Something that seems bad initially, but in the end provides a positive outcome.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “The endoscopy was uncomfortable, but it was a blessing in disguise because it gave me the answers I needed about my condition."
Meaning: Delaying addressing a problem in the hope that it will resolve itself, while knowing that it won’t.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “I’ve been burying my head in the sand about my raised blood pressure and hoping it would get better by itself.”
Meaning: To quit suddenly without assistance.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “I gave up smoking cold turkey last year.”
Meaning: Avoid making a decision until later.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “I know I might need surgery eventually, but let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Meaning: Get directly to the meaning of what you’re saying.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “I don’t understand medical language, so please cut to the chase about my results."
Meaning: Don’t rely on one option only in case something changes and you haven’t got a second option.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “I’d like to have two birth plans because I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket."
Meaning: Very well, fit and healthy.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting:
“I was fit as a fiddle throughout my 40s, but now I’m in my 50s, I don’t feel as healthy.”
“Since the procedure, I’ve been feeling as right as rain."
Meaning: Causing pain or discomfort, often recurring over a prolonged time.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting:
“My hip is always giving me gyp in the winter.”
“My knee has been playing up since I started running again.”
“My arthritis flares up when I take this medication."
Meaning: Continuing to move forward each day, despite difficult circumstances.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “I’m feeling very unwell but I’m hanging in there."
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “For a while, I was in the dark about the treatment options available to me.”
Meaning: Undecided.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “I’m on the fence about whether I should have the counselling the hospital has offered me.”
Meaning: Recovering.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “I’m finally on the mend since the accident.”
Meaning: Unfit. In poor physical condition.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “I was out of shape until I began taking regular exercise."
Meaning: To make decisions as things happen with little information.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “I don’t know when I’ll next be able to attend an appointment. I’ll need to play it by ear."
Meaning: Delaying something intentionally.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “I know I should have booked an appointment earlier, but I’ve been putting it off because I was worried."
Meaning: Very thin.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “One of the symptoms of my cancer was extreme weight loss. I was skin and bone."
Meaning: Using a toilet to urinate
Example of how it could be used: "Where is the toilet? I need to spend a penny."
Meaning: Vomiting
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "I feel like throwing up every time I sit up" OR "I feel sick every time I use that medication."
Meaning: Unwell.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “I’ve been feeling under the weather ever since I started this new medication."
Meaning: To understand and accept something that might take time and emotional effort.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: “I’m finding it difficult to wrap my head around my cancer diagnosis.”
“I’m beginning to come to terms with what the test results mean."
Slang words
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "I thought I was going bonkers until my GP confirmed it was a common side effect."
Meaning: A man
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "That bloke on reception was very helpful."
Meaning: A badly done job
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "My previous surgeon did a botch job on my hip. I hope I don't have the same experience this time."
Meaning: Very happy
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "I was chuffed when my results came back negative."
Meaning: Cup of tea
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "A cuppa might help to comfort that patient."
Meaning: Something that is easy
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "I went to donate blood today. The process was a doddle."
Meaning: Something is not right
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "My stomach is feeling a bit dodgy."
Meaning: Shocked or surprised
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "I saw the pregnancy test and I was gobsmacked."
Meaning: Very disappointed
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "I'm not being discharged until next week. I'm so gutted."
Meaning: Overly complicated or time consuming
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "Booking this appointment is quite a faff."
Meaning: Tired/exhausted
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "I was knackered after my last shift."
Meaning: Toilet
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "I need the loo. Where is it?"
Meaning: Friend
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "I'm here to see my mate. His name is John Parker."
Meaning: Something untrue; of poor quality; bad.
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "They are talking rubbish about my poor health. I feel fine.", "The food is a bit rubbish", "I'm feeling rubbish."
Meaning: A mess; badly handled
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "The backlog of NHS appointments is a bit of a shambles."
Meaning: To be without money
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "I can't afford to get private healthcare. I'm totally skint."
Meaning: To be in a bad mood
Example of how it could be used in a clinical setting: "I was having a strop because i'm tired and uncomfortable after the procedure."
Meaning: To take advantage
Example of how it could be used: "My appointment is over 30 minutes late. They are taking the mickey."
Region specific expressions
| Expression | Meaning | Example of use in a clinical setting |
| Bairn | Meaning child | ‘My bairn is coming to visit me’ |
| Bait | Packed lunch | ‘I forgot my bait. Will we go to the canteen?’ |
| Clammin’ | To be feeling hungry | ‘I’m clammin’. Can I have my breakfast now?’ |
| Class | To express that something is of good standard | ‘My blood tests came back. The results are class’ |
| Davvina | Meaning ‘I don’t know’ | ‘I davvina know what’s wrong’ |
| Ey up | Meaning hello | ‘Ey up, how was your weekend?’ |
| Gan canny/gan easy | Meaning to be careful, take your time or take care | ‘Gan canny when you’re walking around as you might feel dizzy’ |
| Hyem/yem | Meaning home | ‘When can I go hyem?’ |
| I’m off to mash a brew | Making a cup of tea | ‘I’m off to mash a brew. Do you want one?’ |
| Lad | Meaning boy | ‘My child is coming to visit. Can you let the lad in?’ |
| Lass | Meaning girl | ‘My child is coming to visit. Can you let the lass in?’ |
| Mardy | Refers to feeling grumpy or someone who is grumpy | ‘That patient is feeling mardy this morning as he has a procedure today’ |
| Minging | To describe something as dirty or smelly | ‘Can I get a new shirt? This one is minging’ |
| Mithering | Meaning pestering/annoying | ‘I don’t want to be mithering you, but could you please check if my bandages need redone’ |
| Oot | Meaning out | ‘That patient is due to get oot today’ |
| Our | Usually used before someones name in an affectionate way | ‘Our Julie will be with you shortly. She’s doing medicine rounds’ |
| Put wood in hole | Meaning to close the door | ‘Put wood in the hole, please. I’m going to go to sleep’ |
| Wey aye | Meaning yes | ‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ ‘Wey aye!’ |
| What yer on about | Meaning please explain what you mean | ‘What yer on about that I need another blood test?’ |
| Expression | Meaning | Example of use in a clinical setting |
| 40 winks | A short sleep during the day | 'I could do with getting 40 winks' |
| Aye | Yes/agreeing | 'Aye, i'll do the heart rate monitoring' |
| Baltic | To describe cold temperature | 'Make sure and wear a jacket as it’s baltic outside' |
| Boke | To feel physically sick | ‘I feel like I am going to boke since I started my new medication’ |
| Born in a field | A phrase used when someone leaves the door open | ‘You must have been born in a field’ |
| Breeks | Referring to trousers | ‘Can you help that patient put his breeks on?’ |
| Crabbit | To describe someone as grumpy | ‘I feel crabbit today because I am hungry’ |
| Craic | To ask how someone is, or if there is any news | ‘What is the craic with you?’ |
| Eejit | A terms to describe someone who is silly or had made you laugh | ‘Don’t be such an eejit, of course I’ll help you’ |
| Faffing | To be wasting time | ‘I feel like I have been faffing around this morning’ |
| Foundered | Refers to cold temperature | ‘I forgot my jacket this morning and I was foundered outside’ |
| Gulder | To shout loudly | ‘Did you hear someone gulder for help?’ |
| Hit the hay/Kip | To go to sleep | ‘I am going to hit the hay’, ‘I am going to get some kip’ |
| Hoke | To search for something | ‘Let me have a hoke and see if I can find the medical record’ |
| Melter | A word to describe someone who is annoying | ‘I don’t want to be a melter, but can you help me’ |
| Mind | Used as a shortened version of reminder/remember | 'Mind me to check the appointments list for today’ |
| Minging | To describe something as dirty or smelly | ‘Can I get a new shirt? This one is minging’ |
| Oul (pronounced owl) | To refer to something as old | ‘My memory has started to go in my oul age’ |
| Quare (pronounced kware) | To describe something or someone of a high volume/standard | ‘That new medication is quare good’ |
| Redd Up | To tidy up or clear up | ‘Let me redd up these old files’ |
| Scundered | To feel embarrassed or annoyed | ‘I was so scundered after that happened’ |
| Slabber | To describe someone who is a loudmouth or talks too much | 'I don’t want to be a slabber, but can you please …' |
| Teemin | To describe the weather when it is heavily raining | ‘Make sure and bring an umbrella, as it’s teemin outside’ |
| Thran | To describe someone or something that is being stubborn | ‘I was being thran because I’m tired and uncomfortable after my surgery’ |
| Up to high doh | To be stressed, nervous or excited | ‘My nerves have me up to high doh!’ |
| Wean | A term for a child | ‘Can my wean come up in and visit me outside of visiting hours?’ |
| Wee | Small/little or just as a filler word when describing something | ‘Would you like a wee glass of juice?’ |
| Wee buns | Very easy | ‘I thought I would find it difficult recovering from my surgery, but it has been wee buns’ |
| Yarn | A casual discussion | ‘Lets have a yarn in the staff room’ |
| Yoke | Usually describing a mode of transport in a positive way | ‘This wheelchair is some yoke’ |
| Expression | Meaning | Example of use in a clinical setting |
| Alright me duck | To greet someone affectionately | ‘When I walked into the room, the patient said alright me duck’ |
| Bangers and mash | A meal consisting of sausages and mashed potato | ‘Can I have bangers and mash for my meal?’ |
| Brew | Refers to a hot tea/coffee | ‘Shall I make the patient a brew?’ |
| Bubble and squeak | A British meal consisting of cooked cabbage, potatoes and meat | ‘Can I have bubble and squeak for my meal?’ |
| Burning the candle at both ends | The feeling of being overstretched | ‘I am burning the candle at both ends by covering my colleagues work’ |
| Can of worms | To have overcomplicated matters | ‘I have opened a can of worms by asking that question’ |
| Get a grip | To encourage someone to keep or recover control or understanding | ‘I need to get a grip and get my filing updated’ |
| In my heart of hearts | To describe someone’s true feelings | ‘In my heart of hearts, I think I’ll be feeling much better in a week’ |
| It floored me | To have been exhausted by something | ‘That physiotherapy session floored me’ |
| Knocked me for six | To be upset or completely overwhelmed by something | ‘My new medication had knocked me for six’ |
| Nothing to write home about | To describe something as not outstanding or very good | ‘My blood pressure readings are not something to write home about’ |
| Once in a blue moon | To describe something that happens very irregularly | ‘I only ever feel pain once in a blue moon’ |
| Take the plunge | To make a decision to do something after thinking about it for a long time | ‘I am going to take the plunge and have a better diet’ |
| Wiped out | To feel tired or drained | ‘I am wiped out from my physiotherapy’ |
| Expression | Meaning | Example of use in a clinical setting |
| Alright | Greeting | 'Alright, how are you doing?' |
| Bamps | Grandfather | 'I'm here to see my bamps' |
| Banging | To describe something as great/awesome | 'My blood tests came back. The results are banging' |
| Butt | Term of endearment for a friend | 'Hey butt, good to see you!' |
| Cariad (pronounced kariad) | Meaning darling/sweetheart | 'My granddaughter is coming to visit me today. She's a cariad' |
| Chopsey | Meaning arguing or being disrespectful | 'I don't mean to be chopsey with you' |
| Cracking | To describe something as good or excellent | 'I feel cracking after my physiotherapy' |
| Cwtch (pronounced kutch) | Meaning cuddle/hug | 'My family came to visit me today and gave me a cwtch' |
| Daps | Trainers | 'Can you please help the patient remove his daps?' |
| Drive | Bus driver | 'Sorry I'm late. The drive was running late' |
| Dwt (pronounced dut) | Small, usually refering to children | 'My dwt are coming to see me today' |
| Lechyd da (pronounced yeah-ch-id dah | Good health | 'The patient feels like they are back to lechyd da after their surgery' |
| Lush | Describing something as very nice | 'That cup of tea was lush' |
| Tamping | Annoyed | 'The patient was tamping because they wanted to be discharged today' |
| Tidy | Great/good | 'My blood results came back and they were tidy' |
| Twp (pronounced tup) | Silly/foolish | 'I feel like I have made a twp mistake' |
| Ych a fi (pronounced uh-ch ah vee | Horrible/disgusting | 'The patient was not feeling well. They said they felt ych a fi' |
| Expression | Meaning | Example of use in a clinical setting |
| Aye | Yes/agreeing | ‘Aye, I’ll take a cup of tea’ |
| Bairn | Meaning child | ‘My bairn is coming to visit me’ |
| Bog | Meaning toilet | ‘I need to go to the bog’ |
| Brew | Refers to hot tea/coffee | ‘Shall I make the patient a brew?’ |
| Champion/That’s champion | Refers to something positively | ‘This patients blood pressure is champion’ |
| Chuffed | To be happy with something | ‘I’m chuffed that my survey was a success’ |
| Codding | Refers to when a person is telling a lie or a joke | ‘I’m only codding, of course I can cover your shift’ |
| Delve | To search for or dig out something | ‘We don’t need to delve for that patients records any further, I have them here’ |
| Faffin’ | To be wasting time | ‘I feel like I have been faffing around this morning’ |
| Flummoxed | Meaning confused | ‘That patient seems to be flummoxed a lot of the time’ |
| Gaffer | Refers to the manager/person in charge | ‘I'll ask the gaffer if I can change my shift’ |
| Jiggered | To be tired/sleepy | ‘I feel very jiggered after that physiotherapy session, I need to rest’ |
| Lass | Refers to a female | ‘I can’t remember the name of the lass, but she said I was due my medication at 12’ |
| Minging | To describe something as dirty or smelly | ‘Can I get a new shirt? This one is minging’ |
| Nowt | Meaning nothing | ‘I have had nowt to eat because I’m due for surgery in an hour’ |
| Pack it in | Meaning to stop what you’re doing | ‘I have been up practising my walking and I’m tired. I’m going to pack it in’ |
| Reckon | Meaning to think or figure out | ‘What do you reckon my blood pressure reading should be at?’ |
| Sam up | Meaning to collect together | ‘I’m getting discharged today, so will sam up my belongings’ |
| Traips/Traipsing | To be walking around for a long period of time | ‘The patient has been traipsing up and down the corridor all day’ |
