Behaviour and Character Slang

Shindig – A lively party or celebration, often with music and dancing.

Bash – A large, lively party or celebration, often with food, drinks, and music.

Glam-up – To make oneself look more glamorous or stylish, often by dressing up, applying makeup, or wearing accessories.

Rave – A large, high-energy dance party featuring electronic dance music, often accompanied by laser lights and other visual effects.

Party pooper – A person who refuses to participate in a party or celebration, or who tries to spoil the fun for others.

Let one’s hair down – To relax and behave in a less restrained or formal way, often by enjoying oneself at a party or social event.

Keep one’s nose clean – To stay out of trouble and avoid doing anything wrong or illegal.

Monkey around – To behave in a silly, playful, or mischievous way.

In the doghouse – To be in trouble or out of favor with someone, often because of something you have done wrong.

In the good books – To be in someone’s good favor, usually because of something you have done well or because you are well-liked.

Act up – To behave in a disruptive or unruly way, often causing trouble or inconvenience for others.

Wet blanket – A person who spoils the fun or enjoyment of others by being overly negative or pessimistic.

Wimp – A person who lacks courage or is easily intimidated or frightened.

Chill out – To relax and calm down, often when feeling stressed, angry, or upset.

Ligger – A person who attends events or shows for free, often by getting tickets or access through connections.

Cracking time – A very enjoyable or fun time.

Geek – A person who is very enthusiastic or knowledgeable about a particular subject, often one that is considered niche or unpopular.

Diamond – A person who is very talented or skillful, often used in sports or other competitive fields.

Goldbricker – A person who avoids work or responsibility by pretending to be busy or by wasting time.

Solid – Reliable, trustworthy, or dependable.

Wannabe – A person who aspires to be like someone else or to achieve a certain level of success, often without actually possessing the necessary skills or abilities.

Go-getter – A person who is ambitious, determined, and actively works to achieve their goals.

In hot water – To be in trouble or facing criticism, often because of something you have done wrong.

Smashing time – A very enjoyable or fun time.

Pull out all the stops – To make a maximum effort, often in a difficult or challenging situation, in order to achieve a goal.

Do you think it is possible to know a person’s character from their appearance?

I would say it is difficult. Why do you ask?

We’ve got some new guys at my work, who you will probably meet at this evening’s shindig. 

Oh, I almost forgot about this evening’s bash. A chance to glam-up and have a good rave. I hope you aren’t going to be a party pooper this year.

It’s difficult to let my hair down when my boss is there. I’m trying to keep my nose clean and not monkey around. I don’t want to be in the doghouse again. It took me long enough to get back in his good books after the last time I acted up.

Don’t be such a wet blanket Ed. Do you want to be a wimp all your life? Just chill out and join the rest of the liggers. We can enjoy the free drinks all night and have a cracking time. Anyway, you were talking about people’s character.

Ah yes, as I said, I’ve got 3 new colleagues. One is a computer geek, another is a real diamond and the third is a total goldbricker. I’m going to test whether you know who is who, before you have a chance to speak to them.

No problem for me. This sort of game is right up my street. I’ll know them all. Deffo.

So what did you think about me, before we spoke, all those years ago? Did you think I was a solid, wannabe go-getter.

Err, something like that. But I’m not going to say anything that will get me in hot water. Just make sure you have a smashing time this evening.

Okay Judy, I’ll pull out all the stops.

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Character 

Drama queen (n) – A person who habitually responds to situations in a melodramatic way.

She started crying when she realised she hadn’t been invited to the party. She is a complete drama queen.

Gifted (adj) – To have exceptional talent or natural ability

Penny is a gifted piano player. She started playing when she was two years old.

Goody−two−shoes (n) – An ostentatiously virtuous or well-behaved person

She is such a goody-two-shoes. She would never ever do anything wrong.

Smoothie (n) – A man with a smooth, suave manner

All the ladies seem to love him. He is such a smoothie.

Square (n) – A person who is old-fashioned or boringly conventional in attitude or behaviour

Don’t be such a square. It’s quite normal that boys and girls play together.

Street cred (n) – To have acceptability among fashionable young urban people

Wearing this baseball cap must be good for my street cred. All the young people are looking at me.

Streetwise (adj) – To have the experience and knowledge necessary to deal with the potential difficulties

You have to be streetwise if you want to survive on the streets of New York.

To keep a stiff upper lip (exp) – Is to display fortitude and stoicism in the face of adversity

Don’t cry kid. Try and keep a stiff upper lip.

Toff (n) – A rich or upper-class person.

All the toffs go in that restaurant. They wouldn’t let us in there.

Toffee−nosed (adj) – Pretentiously superior; snobbish

She always looks down on us. She is so toffee-nosed.

Emotions

Bee’s knees (n) – Excellent, the best

This rollercoaster really is the bees knees. It’s the best one I’ve ever been on.

Chill-out (adj) – To be in an induced or relaxed mood

The disco also has a chill-out room, for people who want to have a quiet moment.

Stonefaced (adj) Showing little or no emotion

When his football team lost he was totally stonefaced. No one could tell what he was thinking.

Take a chill pill (exp) To give advice to someone to calm down

Just take a chill pill and calm down. Think about your heart.

Trouble

Face the music (exp) – To be confronted with the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions

We are going to have to face the music and admit that we damaged the car.

In the doghouse (exp) – To be in disgrace or disfavour

I’m really in the doghouse with my wife. I forgot to collect her from work.

Out of hand (exp) – Not under control

This football match has really got out of hand. The referee needs to do something.

Raw deal (n) An unfair arrangement or conclusion

I really think we got a raw deal. Why couldn’t they do the washing up?

Effort

Diddly−squat (n) – Nothing at all

I plan to do diddly-squat all afternoon. I’ve got no plans at all.

Faff around (vb) – To spend time in ineffectual activity

Stop faffing around and help me with the cleaning.

Get behind (vb) – To approve of, support

We are all trying to get behind Trevor and help him get the new job.

Get one’s act together (exp) – Is to get organised, start to perform efficiently or effectively

You need to get your act together, and prepare for your examinations.

Keep up with the Joneses (exp) – Is to compete with one’s peers in trends and fashion

Everyone in this neighbourhood tries to keep up with the Joneses. When one buys a lawnmower, the next weekend everyone else has a new one too.

Pass the buck (exp) – To divert responsibility or blame onto someone else

Don’t try and pass the buck. You made a mistake, no one else.

Composure

Do one‘s nut in (exp) –  Become extremely angry or agitated

Dad is going to do his nut in when he sees you have broken his chair.

Gutted (adj) – Bitterly disappointed or upset

I couldn’t get tickets for the concert. I was totally gutted.

Hunky−dory (adj) – Fine, going well

Everything is going hunky-dory. It will be the best party ever.

Keep a straight face (exp) – A blank or serious facial expression, especially when trying not to laugh

I couldn’t keep a straight face when she fell into the swimming pool.

Keep your cool (exp) – Keep one’s composure, stay calm

Try and keep your cool. The kids will be even worse, if they see you are angry.

Lose one’s bottle (exp) – Lose one’s nerve, become anxious

I wanted to do a parachute jump, but I lost my bottle at the last moment.

Lose one’s marbles (exp) –  Become deranged, feeble−minded or crazy

I’m sure he’s losing his marbles. I told him three times, but he has forgotten to pick up the laundry.

Conceitedness

Big I am (exp) – Self-important person, an egoist

She really is a big I am. I don’t know who she think she is, but she’s not that special.

Bigmouth (n) – A noisy, indiscreet, or boastful person

Her big mouth is always getting us in trouble. She should learn to keep quiet.

Fly by night (n) – An untrustworthy person

Jerry is such a fly by night. I wouldn’t trust him with your car.

Nimby (an acronym for Not In My Back Yard) (n) – An opponent of controversial legislation

He is such a nimby. He opposes nearly all of the council’s plans.

Stuck−up (adj) – Conceited, snobbish

She rarely speaks to me. She is so stuck-up.

Rudeness

Below the belt (exp) – Disregarding the rules, unfair

That remark was really below the belt. I don’t think she should’ve said it.

Get off one’s back (exp) – Stop nagging or annoying someone

I wish my wife would get off my back. I had planned to wash the car tomorrow, but she made me do it today.

Give someone the cold shoulder (exp) – Behave in an intentionally unfriendly manner, to ignore someone

I forgot to invite her to the party and now she’s giving me the cold shoulder.

To put one’s nose out of joint (exp) – To humiliate someone’s pride

Not passing the exams really put his nose out of joint. He wanted to go to university.

Honesty and Dishonesty

Straight−up (adj) – Honest and trustworthy

I think he is straight-up. I’m sure you can trust him.

Back−pedal (vb) – To reverse one’s position just when reactions appear unfavourable

The government is back-pedalling on their decision. It really was unpopular with the people.

Behaviour

To keep ones nose clean is an (exp) which means to Avoid criminal activity

If you want to join the army, you have to keep your nose clean.

Shape up (vb) – is to Improve your behaviour

You will have to shape up if you want to play in this football team.

Monkey around (vb) Behave mischievously

Can you stop monkeying around? We need to get this work done before lunch.

Act up (vb) – is to behave badly

Sally has been acting up in class. We need to go and talk with her teacher.

Out of order (exp) is Unacceptable behaviour

What she said was totally out of order. I think she has some explaining to do.

Preference

In the good books (exp) – is to be In favour

I am currently in mums good books. I helped her with the dinner yesterday.

In the bad books (exp) – Out of favour

Unfortunately I am in the teachers bad books. I didn’t do the homework.

In the dog house (exp) – Out of favour

I’m in the doghouse with my wife, because I forgot our wedding anniversary.

Not one’s cup of tea (exp) – Not something one likes

Football is not really my cup of tea. I prefer rugby.

Bag (n) – An activity that one either likes

Painting is really my bag, especially watercolours.

Scene (n) – Something that one either likes

Jazz is not really my scene. I prefer rock music.

Dig (vb) – To like or not like something

I really dig their new album. It’s much better than the last one.

Rave (vb) – To be enthusiastic about something

Martha always raves about her yoga teacher. She says he’s the best sport’s teacher she has ever had.

Up my street (exp) – Well suited to one’s tastes, interests, or abilities

That band is really up my street. I love their new single.

Ambition

Wannabe (n) – Someone trying to be successful

When it comes to singing, he’s a real wannabe. It’s a shame that his voice is so bad.

Go-getter (n) – Ambitious person

There are so many go-getters at this company, that it’s difficult to get a management job.

Blinder (n) – Excellent Performance

The new striker played a blinder. He scored two goals on his debut.

Pushy (adj) – Hard persuasion

Susan can be a bit pushy. She always wants us to do what she what she wants to do.

Character

Chinless (adj) – Weak character

Our boss is chinless. He has no idea how to lead a team of people.

Diamond (n) – Reliable person

Andrew is a real diamond. He takes me to work every day without fail.

Drip (n) – A person with a weak character

He’s a bit of a drip. He doesn’t have many friends.

Geek (n) – Intelligent but a socially awkward person

He is a geek, but at least he fixed my computer.

Gross (adj) – Coarse, unrefined

Mandy’s boyfriend is so gross. I don’t know what she sees in him.

Hung up (adj) – To be obsessed with a topic

Our daughter is really hung up on her favourite boy band. She will probably get over them when she’s a few years older.

Lame (adj) – Weak

What a lame excuse that was. Nobody would’ve believed that.

Ligger (n) – A freeloader, normally at parties

Jarvis is such a ligger. He is at every party, even though he is normally not invited.

Nerd (n) – Socially awkward person

Tom is a bit of a nerd. He’s not very good in social situations.

Oddball (n) – A strange or eccentric person

Sandra’s husband is a bit of an oddball. He keeps snakes and spiders in their apartment.

Shower (n) – A group of incompetent people

What a shower your so-called friends are. I can’t believe they didn’t give you a lift home.

Solid (adj) – Good quality, dependable

Tony is a really solid person. He’s really a great friend to have.

Swine (n) – Coarse person 

Marjorie’s boyfriend is an absolute swine. What she sees in him, I will never know.

Wet blanket (n) – A person who spoils other people’s fun by failing to join in with or by disapproving of their activities

Cyril is such a wet blanket. He never wants to join in our fun games.

Wimp (n) – Ineffectual person

Ian is a bit of a wimp. He never stands up for himself.

Emotions

Awesome (adj) – Excellent

We had an awesome time last weekend. We spent the whole time on the beach.

Chill out (vb) – Relax

Holiday time is a good opportunity to chill out.

Chuffed (adj) – Very happy 

I’m chuffed that you all remembered my birthday. Who would like some cake?

Cracking (adj) – Extremely good

We had a cracking time at the concert. The band was really great.

Fab (adj) – Fabulous

We had a fab time in London. We saw all the sights

Magic (adj) – Great

Hey, magic! This is just what I always wanted

Naff (adj) – Not very good

That present Susan bought her husband was a bit naff, but he seemed to like it.

Rad (adj) – Radical

This new skateboard park is rad, isn’t it?

Ripping (adj) – Extremely good

That was a ripping film. I think I would like to watch it a second time.

Slushy (adj) – Sentimental

My wife loves watching slushy films. I normally read the paper when they are on.

Smashing (adj) – Extremely good

We had a smashing time at the party. All of our friends were there.

Stinker (n) – Something bad 

I had a stinker at work today. Nothing went right all day.

Tickety-boo (adj) – Everything is alright

Is everything tickety-boo? You both look a bit miserable.

Tickled pink (exp) – Very happy 

I’m absolutely tickled pink. I won £300 on the lottery.

Wicked (adj) – Excellent

That song is wicked. It’s my favourite tune at the moment.

Celebrating

Bash (n) – A party event

We organised a big birthday bash for Stephanie’s 18th.

Blast (n) – A great time

The party was brilliant last night. We had a blast.

Glam up (vb) – To beautify

I love Friday nights. A chance to glam up and go to town.

Let one’s hair down (exp) – Uninhibited fun

We’ve worked hard all day, now it’s time to let our hair down.

Party pooper (n) – A person who throws gloom over social enjoyment

Adrian is a real party pooper. He came with his girlfriend but is sitting in the bedroom and watching football on television.

Rave (n) – A rowdy gathering

We are going to a rave later. The DJs there are the best in the business.

Shindig (n) – A lively party

What a shindig we had last night. I even had an authentic Irish folk band.

Hopelessness

Dead duck (n) – A person with no chance of success

Paul is a dead duck. He’s been at his company for years, with no chance of promotion.

Goner (n) – A person with no chance of continuing to live

I think the hero is it goner. I hate films like this.

Hiccup (n) – Temporary setback

I hope this hiccup is just temporary. I’m sure we will find a solution.

Trouble

Handful (n) – Someone difficult to handle

Dorothy’s two children are a real handful. They are always getting up to mischief.

In a jam (exp) – In trouble

I’m in a bit of a jam. I need to get home quick, but there are no buses running.

In hot water (exp) – In deep trouble

Roger is in hot water with his wife.  He forgot their  wedding anniversary.

Stirrer (n) – Someone who creates trouble

Mary can be a stirrer. She creates unnecessary trouble between friends.

Effort

Beaver away (vb) – To work in a very active and energetic way

Steve has been beavering away all day. I think I’ll take him a beer.

Deffo (adv) – Definitely

Are you coming to the pub later? Deffo. I’m looking forward to playing darts

Eager beaver (n) – Overly excited about a topic

You really are an eager beaver. I’ve never seen you here before 8 o’clock in the morning.

Go to town (exp) – To do something in a detailed and enthusiastic way

We are really planning to go to town organising the party. We might even get a live band.

Ham-fisted (adj) – Clumsy

Jerry made a ham-fisted attempt to apologise, but I don’t think she was convinced.

Have a crack (exp) – Try to do something, make an effort

I will have a crack at fixing the door later. Leave it with me.

Knuckle down (vb) – To apply oneself earnestly

You’ve got to knuckle down and revise for your examinations, otherwise you might not go to university.

Money for old rope (exp) – Money or reward earned for little or no effort

Working here is money for old rope. You hardly need to work at all but the money is great.

Pull finger out (exp) – To stop wasting time in preliminaries, and concentrate on the important task

We’ve got to pull our finger out if we want to finish today. Let’s stop talking about what we need to do and just do it.

Pull out all the stops (exp) – Make a very great effort to achieve something

Brenda’s dad is going to pull out all of the stocks for her wedding. She is his only daughter.

Shocker (n) – Poor performance

The goalkeeper had a complete shocker. Letting five goals in the first half alone.

Composure

Didn’t bat an eyelid (exp) – Remained composed

He didn’t bat an eyelid when I told him the news. He seemed very calm.

Keep one’s hair on (exp) – Stay calm

Keep your hair on. I only borrowed your car to go to the shops.

Laid-back (adj) – Relaxed

Rosie’s husband is so laid-back. He doesn’t let anything worry him

Life of Riley (exp) – Carefree existence

Dave really does have the life of Riley. He is allowed to do what he wants when he wants.

Simmer down (vb) – Calm down

Simmer down class. The headmaster has an important announcement.

Make a fuss

Not fussed about (exp) – Ambivalent

I’m absolutely not fussed. If you want to go out tonight, that’s up to you.

Not to be sniffed at (exp) – Something worthwhile

That deal is not to be sniffed at. If you’ve got enough money, then buy it now.

Palaver (n) – Unnecessary procedure

What a load of palaver for nothing. I’m sorry I got the dates wrong.

To-do (n) – A fuss

Angela made a real to-do about not being on the guest-list.

Conceitedness

Big-headed (adj) – Arrogant

Since he started playing professional football, he has become really big-headed.

Stuck-up (adj) – Aloof, feeling of superiority

She is so stuck-up. She just ignores us when we are in the same room.

Rudeness

Brass-neck (n) – Cheek, audacity

He’s got a brass-neck. All that I’ve done to help him, and he never even thanked me.

Cheek (n) – Rudeness, lack of respect

What a cheek. He just took a piece of cake without being offered one.

Lippy (adj) – Impertinent

Don’t you be lippy with me young lady. You should show a little bit more respect.

Honesty and Dishonesty

Brick (n) – A reliable person

Colin is an absolute brick. He will do everything to help you, whenever you need it.

Con (vb) – To deceive someone

I was completely conned by that offer. It looked genuine to me.

Goldbricker (n) – A confidence trickster

Alan is a goldbricker. Don’t trust him with your money, because you won’t see it again if you do.

Grass (n) – An informer, normally for the police

Because of information from the grass, the police were able to arrest a man for the robbery at the bank.

Not cricket (exp) – Unfair

In my opinion it’s just not cricket. We should’ve been allowed to go first.

Porky pie (n) – A lie

I knew that was a porky. Why would I believe that he would take me out tonight?

Pull a fast one (exp) – To carry out a dishonest deed

He tried to pull a fast one, but I know his tricks.

Rip-off (n) – A swindle, normally overpriced goods or service

What a rip-off. We paid £30 for this ticket and the band only played for 45 minutes.

Scam (n) – A swindle

I’m sure this is a scam. Do they really expect us to buy a holiday in Spain?

Snitch (vb) – To inform on someone

I tried to leave the house to go to Jenny’s party, but my younger brother snitched on me

Swizzle (n) – Unfair

What are swizzle. They advertised everything at half price, but most of the products here are normal priced.

Whopper (n) – A big lie

That was a complete whopper. I can’t believe I fell for that lie.

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