Out and about in London: 389 British English phrases
389 words and phrases5 topics172 with momentsfrom 248 videos
All 389 words and phrases, by topic
Tap any word or phrase to hear it and play its moments where it has them. It covers getting around, the weather and work, with phrases like rush hour, it's pouring and call it a day.
Getting around London
105 words and phrases · 01/05- the Tubeto anyone · everydaylondon's underground train network
The Tube was so hot this morning, I was melting by Oxford Circus.
in 30 videos - the Overgroundto anyone · everydaylondon's orange train lines, mostly above ground
I'll get the Overground to Hackney, it's only twenty minutes.
in 2 videos - the Elizabeth lineto friends · everydaylondon's newer purple railway that crosses the city from east to west
Get the Elizabeth line to Paddington, it's way quicker than the Tube.
- TfLto anyone · everydaythe group that runs London's buses, trains and main roads
I checked TfL before I left and the Central line was fine.
- Oyster cardto anyone · everydaythe blue London travel card you put money on to pay fares
I need to top up my Oyster card before I get on the bus.
in 2 videos - tap into anyone · everydayhold your card or phone on the yellow reader when you start a trip
Have you tapped in? The driver's waiting.
in 18 videos
Show all 105Show fewer99 more · 44 with moments
- tap outto anyone · everydayhold your card or phone on the reader again as you leave the station
I forgot to tap out at Brixton and got charged a fortune.
in 4 videos - the barriersto friends · everydaythe row of gates at a station that open when you tap your card or phone
Meet you by the barriers at Oxford Circus at seven.
- the daily capto anyone · everydaythe most you can be charged for bus and train trips in one day
Get the bus as much as you like, you've already hit the daily cap.
- zone 1to anyone · everydayone of London's numbered fare rings, with 1 in the very middle
Rent's mad in zone 1, so I'm out in zone 4.
in 18 videos - off-peakto anyone · everydayoutside the busy weekday travel times, when fares are cheaper
If you leave after half nine, it's off-peak and loads cheaper.
in 3 videos - rush hourto friends · everydaythe busy times when most people travel to and from work
I never get the Central line in rush hour if I can help it.
in 7 videos - get the Tubeto friends · everydaytravel somewhere on the underground, or on a bus or train
Shall we get the Tube or walk? It's only two stops.
in 4 videos - hop onto friends · casualget on a bus or train quickly, often for a short trip
Just hop on the 38, it drops you right outside.
in 27 videos - change atto anyone · everydayget off one train and onto another line at that station
You'll need to change at Stockwell for the Northern line.
- stand on the rightto strangers · casualon moving stairs, keep right so people in a hurry can walk past on the left
Stand on the right, mate, people are trying to get past!
- let people off firstto strangers · casualwait for people to get out before you get on
Can you at least let people off first? Honestly.
- move down the carriageto strangers · casualgo further inside the train or bus to make room for others
There's loads of room in the middle, just move down the carriage!
- carriageto anyone · everydayone of the separate parts of a train
The last carriage is always emptier, walk down to the end of the platform.
in 21 videos - get a seatto anyone · everydayfind somewhere to sit on a busy train or bus
I actually got a seat on the Northern line this morning, it was a miracle.
- squeeze pastto strangers · politeget by someone in a tight, crowded space
Sorry, can I squeeze past? I'm getting off here.
in 4 videos - delaysto anyone · everydaytrains or buses running later than they should
There's severe delays on the District line, so I'll be a bit late.
in 45 videos - Tube striketo friends · everydaya time when Tube or train staff stop work, so services don't run
Another Tube strike next week? I'll have to cycle in.
- rail replacement busto anyone · everydaya bus that runs in place of trains when the line is shut
No trains to Stratford on Sunday, it's a rail replacement bus again.
- engineering worksto anyone · everydayplanned repairs that shut part of the train network, often at weekends
The Overground's shut all weekend for engineering works.
- having a mareto friends · slanghaving a really bad time, with one thing after another going wrong
I'm having a mare, I've left my Oyster at home and my phone's dead.
- the last Tubeto friends · everydaythe final underground train of the night
I need to leave by half twelve or I'll miss the last Tube.
- the Night Tubeto friends · everydaytrains that run all night on some underground lines on Friday and Saturday nights
It's Saturday, so we can just get the Night Tube back.
- the top deckto friends · everydaythe upper floor of a double-decker bus
Let's go on the top deck and get the front seats.
- press the bellto anyone · everydaypush the button to ask the bus driver to stop next
Can you press the bell? Ours is the next stop.
- on diversionto anyone · everydaytaking a different road from normal because the usual one is closed
The 12's on diversion because of the march, so I'll walk.
- walk itto friends · casualgo there on foot instead of taking a bus or train
It's only fifteen minutes, let's just walk it.
- walkableto anyone · everydayclose enough to reach on foot
Shoreditch to Liverpool Street is totally walkable.
in 8 videos - zebra crossingto anyone · everydayblack and white stripes on the road where cars must stop for walkers
Cars round here never stop at the zebra crossing.
in 1 video - Boris biketo friends · casuala red bike you rent from a street stand and leave at another
Let's grab a couple of Boris bikes and ride along the canal.
- cycle into colleagues · everydayride a bike to work instead of taking a bus or train
I cycle in most days, it's faster than the Tube.
- get a cabto friends · everydaypay a driver to take you somewhere by car
It's chucking it down, let's just get a cab.
in 3 videos - black cabto anyone · everydaya traditional London taxi you can wave down in the street
Black cabs cost a fortune, I'd rather get an Uber.
in 1 video - get an Uberto friends · everydaybook a car and driver through a phone app
It's gone two, I'm just going to get an Uber home.
in 4 videos - split a cabto friends · everydayride in one taxi together and divide the cost
We're all going to Brixton, shall we split a cab?
- just here's fineto staff · politesaid to a driver when you want to get out right where you are
Just here's fine, thanks, by the corner shop.
- a bit of a trekto friends · casuala long, tiring trip to get somewhere
Walthamstow's a bit of a trek from Clapham, but I'll come.
in 2 videos - south of the riverto friends · casualthe parts of London on the south side of the Thames
He won't come south of the river, he acts like he needs a passport.
- how are you getting home?to friends · everydayasking how someone will travel back to their place
How are you getting home, are you getting the night bus?
- mind the gapto strangers · politebe careful of the space between the train and the platform
Mind the gap here, it's a big step down.
- squeeze onto friends · casualpush your way into a very full train or bus
I managed to squeeze on, but my face was in someone's armpit.
- wait for the next oneto friends · everydayskip a crowded train or bus and take the one after it
It's rammed, let's wait for the next one, it's only two minutes.
- give up your seatto anyone · everydaystand up so someone who needs it more can sit
I always give up my seat for older people, it's just manners.
- packed like sardinesto friends · casualsquashed together with no space at all
We were packed like sardines all the way from Stratford.
- commuteto anyone · everydaythe regular trip between home and work
My commute's an hour each way, so I get through loads of podcasts.
in 45 videos - stuck on the Tubeto friends · everydayon a train that has stopped and can't move, often between stations
Sorry, I'm stuck on the Tube, we've been sat outside Euston for ten minutes.
- all over the placeto friends · casualin a mess and not running to any plan
The trains are all over the place today because of the heat.
in 110 videos - get off atto anyone · everydayleave the train or bus when it reaches a certain stop
Get off at Angel and I'll meet you outside.
in 2 videos - sat in trafficto friends · everydaynot moving because the roads are full of cars
The bus has been sat in traffic on Oxford Street for twenty minutes.
in 1 video - give you a liftto friends · everydaydrive someone somewhere in your car, for free
My flatmate said she'd give me a lift to the station.
- it's quicker to walkto friends · everydaygoing on foot will get you there sooner than the train or bus
Don't get the Tube to Leicester Square, it's quicker to walk.
- e-biketo friends · everydaya bike with a small motor that helps you pedal, often rented by app
I just jump on an e-bike, it's quicker than the bus.
in 2 videos - miles outto friends · casualvery far from central London
She lives miles out, right at the end of the Metropolitan line.
- a slogto friends · casuala long, tiring trip or task that takes real effort
The commute from Croydon is such a slog.
in 3 videos - only a couple of stopsto anyone · everydaythe place is very close by train or bus
It's only a couple of stops on the Victoria line, we'll be there in no time.
- the liftto anyone · everydaythe machine that carries people up and down between floors
The lift's broken at the station again, so it's the stairs.
in 238 videos - a returnto staff · everydaya ticket for going somewhere and coming back
Can I get a day return to Brighton, please?
- a singleto staff · everydaya ticket for going one way only
Just a single to Reading, please, I'm getting a lift back.
- railcardto friends · everydaya card you buy each year that cuts a third off most train fares
Have you put your railcard on your Oyster? It saves a fortune.
- a minicabto friends · casuala cheaper taxi you must book ahead, not stop in the street
Ubers were silly money, so we rang a local minicab.
- door to doorto anyone · everydaycounting the whole trip, from leaving home to arriving
It's about fifty minutes door to door.
- drop you offto friends · everydaytake someone somewhere by car and leave them there
I'm driving past yours anyway, I'll drop you off.
in 8 videos - pick you upto friends · everydaygo and collect someone, usually in a car
I'll pick you up from the station at seven.
in 20 videos - roadworksto anyone · everydayrepairs being done on a road, often slowing traffic
There's roadworks all down the high street, the bus took forever.
- the lightsto anyone · everydaythe red, amber and green signals at a road junction
Go straight on, then turn left at the lights.
in 90 videos - a roundaboutto anyone · everydaya round junction where cars go in a circle to change road
Take the second exit at the roundabout.
in 6 videos - car parkto friends · everydaya place or building where you leave your car
Don't drive, the car park's always full on Saturdays.
in 3 videos - petrolto friends · everydayfuel for cars
I need to stop for petrol on the way.
in 19 videos - the ULEZto anyone · everydaythe London zone where older, dirtier vehicles pay a daily fee to drive
My old car isn't ULEZ compliant, so I'd pay every time I drive.
- this train terminates hereto anyone · everydaythis service goes no further and everyone must get off
Great, this train terminates here, so we'll have to wait for the next one.
- the congestion chargeto friends · everydaya daily fee for driving in central London in the daytime
Don't drive in, you'll have to pay the congestion charge.
- the school runto family · everydaytaking children to school and collecting them again, each weekday
The roads are dead quiet in half term, no school run.
- round the cornerto anyone · everydayvery close by
The café's just round the corner from the station.
in 38 videos - into townto friends · everydayto the busy middle part of London
Are you going into town later or staying local?
in 22 videos - how was your journey?to anyone · everydaya polite question about someone's trip to get here
Hiya, come in! How was your journey?
- hire a carto friends · everydaypay a company to use one of its cars for a short time
We're hiring a car for the weekend to get to the coast.
- lorryto anyone · everydaya large truck that carries goods
A lorry was blocking the whole road, so the bus just sat there.
in 2 videos - motorwayto friends · everydaya big fast road between cities
Once we're on the motorway, it's only an hour.
in 3 videos - you can't miss itto strangers · everydayit is very easy to find or see
Go past the pub and it's on your left, you can't miss it.
- parking ticketto friends · everydaya fine for leaving a car where you shouldn't
I was gone five minutes and came back to a parking ticket.
in 2 videos - the green manto anyone · everydaythe green light showing people on foot it is safe to cross
Wait for the green man, that junction's lethal.
- due into anyone · everydayexpected to arrive, often in a stated number of minutes
The next bus is due in four minutes.
- the coachto friends · everydaya long-distance bus between cities
The train's too dear, so I'm getting the coach to Manchester.
- the bootto friends · everydaythe space at the back of a car for bags
Chuck your bags in the boot and hop in.
- subwayto anyone · everydaya walkway under a busy road (in the UK, not a train)
Don't go through the subway at night, use the crossing instead.
- the DLRto friends · everydaya driverless train line in east London
Get the DLR to Greenwich and sit right at the front.
in 1 video - travelcardto anyone · everydaya ticket for as many trips as you like in set areas for a time
I get a monthly travelcard, it works out cheaper for me.
- season ticketto anyone · everydaya pass for many train trips over weeks or months
My annual season ticket from Brighton costs an absolute fortune.
- good serviceto anyone · everydaytrains running normally, with no problems
For once it says good service on all lines.
- platformto friends · everydaythe raised area in a station where you wait for the train
I'm on the platform now, see you in ten.
in 314 videos - cycle laneto anyone · everydaya marked part of a road just for bikes
Some van was parked right in the cycle lane again.
in 1 video - bus laneto anyone · everydaya part of a road only for buses
The cabbie went straight up the bus lane and got us there in no time.
in 1 video - cabbieto friends · casuala taxi driver
The cabbie told me his whole life story on the way to Euston.
- hail a cabto anyone · everydaywave at a taxi in the street so it stops
Good luck trying to hail a cab on Oxford Street at this time.
- taxi rankto anyone · everydaya place where taxis wait in line for passengers
There's a taxi rank outside the station if you need one.
in 1 video - on footto anyone · everydaywalking, not going by car, bus or train
It's about ten minutes on foot from the station.
in 11 videos - gridlockto friends · everydaytraffic so heavy that nothing moves
Don't bother driving, it's total gridlock round Elephant and Castle.
in 4 videos - fare dodgerto friends · casualsomeone who travels without paying
Some fare dodger jumped the barriers right in front of the staff.
- pull into friends · everydayof a train or bus, arrive and stop at the station
My train's just pulling in now, so I'll be with you in ten.
in 52 videos
Weather
77 words and phrases · 02/05- chucking it downto friends · casualraining very hard
Don't leave yet, it's chucking it down out there.
- it's pouringto anyone · everydayraining very hard
It was pouring when I got off the bus, I'm drenched.
in 5 videos - tipping it downto friends · casualraining very hard
It's been tipping it down since lunch, I'm not going anywhere.
- bucketing downto friends · casualraining extremely hard
It was bucketing down outside the station, so I just waited.
- pissing downto friends · ruderaining very hard
It's pissing down, shall we just get an Uber?
- it's spittingto friends · everydayraining very lightly, just a few drops
It's only spitting, you don't need a brolly.
Show all 77Show fewer71 more · 38 with moments
- drizzleto anyone · everydayvery fine, light rain
It's been grey and drizzly all week.
in 14 videos - a downpourto friends · everydaya short burst of very heavy rain
We got caught in a proper downpour on the way back from the park.
in 7 videos - sunny spellsto anyone · everydayshort times of sun between cloudy times
The app says sunny spells this afternoon, so we might get lucky.
in 2 videos - get soakedto friends · everydaybecome wet all over, usually from rain
I got soaked walking from the Tube, can I borrow a towel?
in 2 videos - get caught in the rainto anyone · everydaybe outside with no cover when rain starts
Sorry I'm late, I got caught in the rain and had to wait in a shop.
- wait it outto friends · everydaystay somewhere dry until the bad weather stops
Let's wait it out in the café, it won't last long.
- ease offto friends · everydayof rain or wind, get lighter or weaker
Hang on a minute, it's starting to ease off.
in 3 videos - brollyto friends · casualumbrella
Have you got a brolly I can borrow?
- you'll want a coatto friends · everydaytake warm or rain clothes with you, because it's cold or wet out
You'll want a coat, it's freezing out.
- it's meant to rainto friends · everydaythe forecast says rain is coming
It's meant to rain all weekend, so much for the picnic.
- what's it like out?to family · everydaya question about how the weather is right now
What's it like out? Do I need a coat?
- check the weatherto friends · everydaylook on your phone to see what it will be like outside
Did you check the weather for Saturday?
in 2 videos - nippyto friends · casualcold in a sharp, fresh way
It's a bit nippy this morning, isn't it?
- chillyto anyone · everydaycold enough that you want a jacket
It gets chilly once the sun goes down.
in 25 videos - freezingto anyone · everydayvery cold
It's absolutely freezing on this platform.
in 97 videos - coat weatherto friends · casualcold enough that you need a warm layer when you go out
It's proper coat weather now, I've dug out my big one.
- a cold snapto anyone · everydaya short time of sudden very low temperatures
There's a cold snap coming next week, get the heating on.
in 8 videos - frostyto anyone · everydaycold enough for thin white ice on grass and cars
It was really frosty on the walk to work.
in 6 videos - it's settlingto friends · everydaythe snow is staying on the ground instead of melting
Look, it's settling this time!
- blowing a galeto friends · casualvery windy
It's blowing a gale, my brolly went inside out.
- the weather's turnedto anyone · everydayit has suddenly got colder, often at the start of autumn
The weather's really turned this week, I need my big coat.
- the nights are drawing into anyone · everydayit gets dark earlier each day as winter comes
The nights are drawing in, it's dark by five now.
- mildto anyone · everydaynot as cold as you would expect
It's really mild for November, I didn't even need a jacket.
in 83 videos - boilingto colleagues · everydayvery hot
It's boiling in this office, can someone open a window?
in 49 videos - roastingto friends · casualuncomfortably hot
It's roasting in the flat, I can't sleep.
in 26 videos - swelteringto anyone · everydayso hot that you feel weak and sweaty
It was sweltering on the bus home.
in 7 videos - muggyto anyone · everydaywarm and damp, so the air feels thick and heavy
It's so muggy today, I feel sticky.
in 1 video - it's closeto anyone · everydaywarm and airless, often just before a storm
It's really close today, I reckon there'll be a storm later.
- a scorcherto friends · casuala very hot day
Tomorrow's meant to be a scorcher, let's go to the lido.
in 1 video - a heatwaveto friends · everydayseveral days in a row of very hot weather
Nobody's got air con, so a heatwave in London is just suffering.
in 20 videos - like a saunato friends · casualhot, damp and airless inside a place
The Central line was like a sauna this morning.
in 1 video - i'm meltingto friends · casualfeeling far too hot
Can we sit in the shade? I'm melting out here.
in 2 videos - air conto anyone · everydaya machine that cools the air in a room, car or train
Our flat's got no air con, so we just open all the windows.
in 25 videos - sun creamto friends · everydaylotion you put on your skin to stop it burning
Have you got any sun cream? I'm going pink.
in 1 video - t-shirt weatherto friends · casualwarm enough to go out without a jacket
It's T-shirt weather today, finally.
- beer garden weatherto friends · casualsunny and warm enough to sit outside at the pub
Proper beer garden weather, fancy one after work?
- the sun's outto friends · everydayit's sunny right now
Oh, the sun's out, let's walk instead of getting the bus.
in 8 videos - brighten upto anyone · everydayget less cloudy and more sunny
It's meant to brighten up this afternoon.
in 2 videos - make the most of itto friends · everydayenjoy something good while it lasts
Make the most of it, it's meant to rain all next week.
in 1 video - a lovely dayto strangers · everydaya pleasant, warm and sunny day
Lovely day, isn't it?
in 3 videos - gloriousto anyone · everydaybeautifully sunny and warm
It was absolutely glorious on Sunday, the park was packed.
in 39 videos - greyto anyone · everydaydull and cloudy all over, with no sun
It's been grey for about two weeks straight.
- overcastto anyone · everydaycovered with cloud
It's overcast but it's not meant to rain.
in 8 videos - miserableto friends · everydaycold, wet or dark in a way that makes you feel low
It's miserable out, let's just stay in.
- four seasons in one dayto anyone · everydaythe weather keeps changing between sun, rain and wind within hours
Sun, hail, then sun again, four seasons in one day.
- typicalto friends · everydaysaid with a sigh when something goes wrong just as you expected
Typical, I leave my brolly at home and it starts chucking it down.
in 331 videos - at least it's not rainingto anyone · everydaysaid to find one good thing about a dull day
It's cold, but at least it's not raining.
- a washoutto friends · casuala day, event or season spoiled by rain
This summer's been a total washout.
- rained offto friends · everydaycalled off because of rain
Our five-a-side got rained off again.
- a showerto anyone · everydaya short spell of rain that soon stops
It's meant to be sunny with the odd shower this afternoon.
in 43 videos - hold offto friends · everydayof rain, not start until later
If the rain holds off we'll have a picnic in the park.
- set into friends · everydayof bad weather, start and look likely to last a long time
The rain's set in for the day, so the barbecue's off.
in 70 videos - bank holiday weatherto friends · casualdull, wet weather, joked about because it so often comes on public days off
Cold and drizzly on our day off again, classic bank holiday weather.
- lovely day for itto friends · casuala light joke about the weather, often when it is bad
Lovely day for it, eh? Shall we just stay in the pub?
- a bit freshto anyone · casualslightly cold, said in a light way
Bit fresh this morning, isn't it?
- scorchingto friends · everydayextremely hot and sunny
It was scorching on the South Bank, we had to find some shade.
in 5 videos - like an ovento friends · casualmuch too hot inside a room, train or bus
Turn the heating down, it's like an oven in here.
in 1 video - caught the sunto friends · everydaygot a bit red or brown from being outdoors on a bright day
You've caught the sun, were you in the park all day?
- hit thirtyto friends · everydayreach 30 degrees
It's meant to hit thirty on Saturday.
- clear upto friends · everydayof rain or cloud, go away so the day turns fine
Let's give it an hour and see if it clears up.
in 17 videos - the forecastto anyone · everydaywhat the weather is expected to do in the next few days
The forecast says rain all week, brilliant.
in 50 videos - the Met Officeto anyone · everydaythe UK's national weather service, which gives official warnings
The Met Office has put out a yellow warning for wind tomorrow.
in 4 videos - it looks like rainto friends · everydaythe sky suggests a shower is on its way
It looks like rain, I'd take a brolly.
- pelting downto friends · casualraining very hard and fast
It's pelting down, I'm getting the bus one stop.
- the heavens openedto friends · everydayit suddenly started to rain very hard
We'd just sat down in the beer garden and the heavens opened.
- bitterly coldto anyone · everydayso cold that it hurts
It was bitterly cold waiting for the night bus.
- changeableto anyone · everydaylikely to keep shifting between sun and rain
The forecast says changeable, so take a jacket just in case.
- black iceto friends · everydaythin ice on roads or paths that is hard to see
Careful on your bike, there's black ice on the canal path.
- sleetto anyone · everydayrain mixed with snow
It's not even proper snow, it's just sleet.
in 16 videos - clouded overto anyone · everydaythe sun is now hidden and the sky has turned dull
It was lovely this morning, but it's clouded over now.
in 2 videos - bakingto friends · casualuncomfortably hot, with strong sun
It's baking out there, I'm not going anywhere without sun cream.
in 46 videos
At work
112 words and phrases · 03/05- crack onto colleagues · casualstart or keep doing your work without wasting more time
Right, I'll let you crack on, chat later.
in 5 videos - get stuck into colleagues · casualstart a task with lots of energy and effort
There's loads to unpack from the delivery, so let's just get stuck in.
in 23 videos - get your head downto colleagues · casualfocus quietly and hard on your work
I need to get my head down this afternoon and clear my inbox.
- i'd better get onto colleagues · everydaysaid to end a chat because you need to go back to your work
Anyway, I'd better get on, I've got a meeting at two.
- swampedto colleagues · everydayhaving far more work than you can easily deal with
Sorry I haven't replied, I've been absolutely swamped this week.
- snowed underto colleagues · everydaywith so many tasks that you can't keep up
Can it wait till Monday? I'm snowed under at the moment.
Show all 112Show fewer106 more · 45 with moments
- flat outto colleagues · casualextremely busy, working nonstop with no break
It's been flat out since nine, I haven't even had lunch.
in 16 videos - rushed off my feetto colleagues · everydayso busy that you have no time to sit down or stop
Saturdays in the shop are mad, we're rushed off our feet.
- manicto colleagues · casualvery busy, with lots happening at once
Work's been manic since the new client came on board.
in 23 videos - behind with workto colleagues · everydaylate with tasks you should have finished by now
I had two days off ill and now I'm so behind with work.
- on top of thingsto colleagues · everydayin control of your work, with nothing piling up
I finally feel on top of things after a mad week.
- burnt outto colleagues · everydayworn out in body and mind after too much work and stress
She was totally burnt out, so she took a month off.
in 33 videos - working from hometo colleagues · everydaydoing your job where you live instead of at the company's building
I'm working from home tomorrow, so ring me on my mobile.
in 14 videos - in the officeto colleagues · everydayat your workplace, not at home
Are you in tomorrow? We could grab lunch.
in 27 videos - hybrid workingto colleagues · everydaysplitting the week between days at the workplace and days at home
We're hybrid now, so I'm only in on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
in 1 video - hot-deskingto colleagues · everydaysitting at any free desk each day, with no fixed one of your own
Since we moved to hot-desking, I never get a seat by the window.
- colleagueto anyone · everydaya person you work with
I'm meeting a colleague for coffee before the meeting.
in 211 videos - line managerto colleagues · everydaythe person at work who is directly in charge of you
I need to check with my line manager before I book the time.
- jump on a callto colleagues · casualjoin a short phone or video meeting
It's easier to explain out loud, shall we jump on a call?
- back-to-backto colleagues · everydaywith one meeting straight after another and no gap
I'm back-to-back all afternoon, can I ring you at five?
in 31 videos - you're on muteto colleagues · everydayyour microphone is switched off, so nobody can hear you
Sorry, you're on mute, we can't hear a thing.
in 3 videos - have you got a sec?to colleagues · casualare you free to talk for a very short time
Have you got a sec? I need a hand with this spreadsheet.
- leave it with meto colleagues · everydaysaid when you agree to deal with something for someone
Don't worry about the booking, leave it with me.
- end of playto colleagues · everydaythe time the working day ends, often given as a time limit
Can you send me the figures by end of play?
- out of officeto colleagues · everydayan automatic email reply saying you're away and when you'll be back
Don't forget to put your out of office on before you go.
- on my lunchto anyone · casualhaving your midday break from work right now
Can I ring you back? I'm on my lunch.
- the day's draggingto colleagues · casualtime is passing very slowly and the work feels boring
Is it only two o'clock? The day's dragging.
- on an earlyto friends · casualworking the shift that starts first thing in the morning
I'm on an early tomorrow, so I can't stay out late.
- clock offto anyone · everydayofficially end your work time, often by recording it
I clock off at six, I'll meet you at the station.
- cover forto colleagues · everydaydo someone else's work while they're away
Can you cover for me on Saturday? It's my mate's wedding.
in 14 videos - knock offto colleagues · casualstop working and leave at the end of the day
We knocked off early on Friday because the boss was away.
- call it a dayto colleagues · everydaydecide to stop working for now
It's gone seven, let's call it a day and finish tomorrow.
in 13 videos - that's me doneto colleagues · casualsaid when you've finished your work and are stopping
Right, that's me done, anyone fancy the pub?
- log offto colleagues · everydayshut your work laptop and stop for the day
I'm going to log off early and pick the kids up.
- work lateto family · everydaykeep doing your job after the usual finishing time
I'm working late tonight, so don't wait for me for dinner.
in 6 videos - overtimeto friends · everydayextra hours of work beyond your normal ones
I've done loads of overtime this month to pay for the holiday.
in 17 videos - finish workto friends · everydayreach the end of your hours at your job for the day
What time do you finish? We could grab dinner in Soho.
in 3 videos - how's work?to colleagues · everydaya friendly question about someone's job and their day
Hiya! How's work, still busy?
in 5 videos - annual leaveto colleagues · everydaythe paid days away from your job that you get each year
I've got five days' annual leave left and I need to use them before March.
- on holidayto colleagues · everydayaway from work for a break, often on a trip
Sarah's on holiday till next Wednesday, can it wait?
in 6 videos - day offto friends · casuala day when you have no work and don't need to go in
It's my day off tomorrow, fancy a walk on the Heath?
in 39 videos - half dayto colleagues · everydayworking only the morning or only the afternoon
I'm taking a half day on Friday to get to the airport.
- bank holidayto anyone · everydaya public day off for most workers, often a Monday
What are you up to over the bank holiday weekend?
- off sickto colleagues · everydayaway from work because you are ill
Jess is off sick again, so I'm doing her job as well.
- call in sickto colleagues · everydaytell work you are too ill to come in that day
I woke up with a fever, so I called in sick.
- sick noteto colleagues · everydaya paper from a doctor saying you're too ill to work
If you're off for more than a week, you'll need a sick note from the GP.
- pull a sickieto colleagues · slangtake a day off by pretending to be ill
It was so sunny I was tempted to pull a sickie.
- drag yourself into colleagues · casualgo to work even though you feel ill or very tired
I felt rough this morning, but I dragged myself in anyway.
- skiveto colleagues · casualavoid work you should be doing, often by staying away
He's skiving again, he said he'd be back from lunch an hour ago.
- work drinksto colleagues · everydaya pub trip with the people you work with, once the day is over
Are you coming to work drinks on Friday?
- work doto colleagues · casualan evening out or party for all the staff at a company
Are you going to the work do on Friday?
- leaving doto colleagues · casualdrinks or a party to say goodbye to a colleague who is moving on
It's Priya's leaving do tonight, we're going to the pub by the station.
- up to my eyesto colleagues · casualhaving a huge amount of work to deal with
I'm up to my eyes at the moment, can we talk next week?
- it's been mentalto colleagues · casualit has been very busy and hectic
It's been mental at work since Christmas, I've barely had a break.
- up against itto colleagues · casualin a hard spot, with too much to do and too little time
We're really up against it with this deadline.
- graftto anyone · casualhard work that takes real effort
Running a market stall is proper hard graft.
in 7 videos - go into colleagues · everydaytravel to your workplace instead of working at home
I'm not going in tomorrow, there's a Tube strike.
- log onto colleagues · everydayopen your laptop and start your working day
I logged on at eight to get through my emails before the meeting.
- on nightsto anyone · everydayworking shifts that run from late evening into the morning
He's on nights at the hospital this week, so he sleeps all day.
in 3 videos - home timeto colleagues · casualthe moment the working day ends and you can leave
Half four already... is it home time yet?
- time offto colleagues · everydaya period away from your job
I need to book some time off before the summer gets busy.
in 16 videos - time off in lieuto colleagues · everydayfree days you get back for extra hours you worked
I worked Saturday, so I'm taking Monday as time off in lieu.
- off workto friends · everydaynot at your job that day
I'm off work on Friday, so let's do brunch.
in 3 videos - sick dayto colleagues · everydaya day you miss work because you're ill
I've had three sick days this year with migraines.
in 1 video - signed offto anyone · everydaytold by a doctor to stay away from work for a set time
She's been signed off for two weeks with stress.
- a pay riseto colleagues · everydayan increase in the money you earn for your job
I'm going to ask for a pay rise at my review.
- CVto friends · everydaya short document listing your past jobs and skills, for job applications
Can you have a look at my CV before I send it off?
in 16 videos - hand in your noticeto colleagues · everydayformally tell your boss that you are leaving the job
I handed in my notice today, I finish at the end of the month.
- get the sackto anyone · casuallose your job because your boss ends it, usually for doing something wrong
He got the sack for not turning up three days in a row.
- made redundantto colleagues · everydaylose your job because the company no longer needs the role
Half the team got made redundant after the merger.
in 1 video - a new starterto colleagues · everydaya person who has just joined the company or team
We've got two new starters on Monday, can you show them round?
- a one-to-oneto colleagues · everydaya regular private meeting between you and your manager
I've got a one-to-one with my manager at three.
- a heads-upto colleagues · everydayan early warning about something coming, so you can get ready
Just a heads-up, the client's coming in tomorrow.
in 12 videos - hop offto colleagues · casualleave a video or phone meeting
Sorry, I've got to hop off, I've got another call at two.
- pushed for timeto colleagues · everydaybusy, with not much time to spare
I'm a bit pushed for time today, can we do this tomorrow?
- a side hustleto friends · casuala second job or small business you do alongside your main job
She does nails as a side hustle at the weekend.
in 4 videos - payslipto friends · everydaythe paper or file showing your pay and what was taken off for tax
Check your payslip, I think they've taken too much tax.
- keep me in the loopto colleagues · everydaygive me updates as things happen
I'm off next week, but keep me in the loop.
in 8 videos - drop me an emailto colleagues · everydaysend me a short message
Drop me an email with the details and I'll sort it.
- pick up a shiftto colleagues · everydayagree to work an extra block of hours
I'm skint, so I've picked up a shift on Sunday.
- sign the cardto colleagues · everydaywrite a short message in the group card for a colleague's birthday or leaving
Have you signed the card for Dan? It's on my desk.
- Secret Santato colleagues · everydaya Christmas gift swap where each person secretly buys for one colleague
We're doing Secret Santa again, the limit's ten quid.
- on expensesto colleagues · everydaypaid for by your employer because it was for work
Get a taxi and put it on expenses.
- work your noticeto colleagues · everydaykeep doing your job for the agreed weeks after saying you'll leave
I'm working my notice till the end of the month, then I start the new job.
- a nine-to-fiveto friends · everydaya regular job with normal daytime hours
I'm sick of shifts, I just want a nine-to-five.
- an away dayto colleagues · everydaya team day held away from the usual workplace, for planning or bonding
We've got an away day in Brighton next week.
- going forwardto colleagues · everydayfrom now on, in the future
Going forward, can we get the figures by Friday?
in 72 videos - grafterto colleagues · casualsomeone who works very hard
Give the job to Ola, she's a proper grafter.
- jobsworthto friends · rudesomeone who sticks to the rules even when it helps nobody
The guard wouldn't let me in without my pass, what a jobsworth.
- dogsbodyto colleagues · casualthe person at work who gets all the boring, low-level jobs
I'm basically the office dogsbody, I do all the photocopying.
- the daily grindto anyone · everydaythe dull, tiring routine of going to work every day
Back to the daily grind tomorrow, the long weekend went so fast.
- touch baseto colleagues · everydayhave a short chat to check how things are
Let's touch base on Thursday and see where we are.
in 1 video - circle backto colleagues · everydaycome back to a topic later
Let's circle back to the budget once we have the numbers.
in 17 videos - take this offlineto colleagues · everydaytalk about it later in private, not in this meeting
This is getting a bit detailed, shall we take this offline?
- workmateto friends · casualsomeone you work with
I'm going for a curry with some workmates tonight.
in 1 video - reach outto colleagues · everydayget in contact with someone, usually by email or message
I'll reach out to their team and see if they can help.
in 148 videos - deep diveto colleagues · everydaya detailed look into a subject
We'll do a deep dive into the sales figures on Monday.
in 55 videos - bandwidthto colleagues · casualspare time or energy to take on more work
I'd love to help, but I haven't got the bandwidth this week.
in 24 videos - cock-upto colleagues · rudea silly mistake that makes something go wrong
There was a cock-up with the booking, so we've got no room for the meeting.
- give them a nudgeto colleagues · everydaygently remind someone to do something they said they would
Finance still haven't paid it, so I'll give them a nudge this afternoon.
- copy me into colleagues · everydayadd me to an email so I get it too
Can you copy me in when you send it over to the client?
- sense-checkto colleagues · everydaylook over work quickly to see if it is right and clear
Could you sense-check these slides before I send them to the team?
- run it past youto colleagues · everydayshow someone your idea or plan to hear what they think
Before I book anything, can I just run it past you?
in 1 video - wrap upto colleagues · everydaybring a meeting or task to an end
We're nearly out of time, so let's wrap up and pick this up on Monday.
in 74 videos - full-onto colleagues · casualvery busy and tiring, with no time to rest
This week's been full-on, I've barely had time for lunch.
in 50 videos - done and dustedto colleagues · casualcompletely finished, with nothing left to do
The report's done and dusted, so I'm off to the pub.
in 23 videos - adminto colleagues · casualdull office tasks like filling in forms and answering emails
I've got a load of admin to get through before I can start the fun stuff.
in 4 videos - will doto colleagues · everydayyes, I'll take care of that; said to agree to a request
Can you send me the figures by four? - Will do.
- hope you're wellto colleagues · politea friendly opening line at the start of an email or message
Hi Sam, hope you're well. Just checking you got my email about Thursday.
- no rest for the wickedto colleagues · casuala joking reply when you have to keep working or stay busy
Still working at nine? - Ha, no rest for the wicked.
- on the same pageto colleagues · everydayagreeing about what is happening and what to do next
Let's have a quick call so we're all on the same page before the launch.
in 33 videos
Breaks and lunch
43 words and phrases · 04/05- fancy a coffee?to colleagues · everydayasking if someone would like a hot drink, often to have one together
Fancy a coffee? I need to get away from these emails for ten minutes.
- a coffee runto colleagues · casuala quick trip out to buy hot drinks for yourself and others
Whose turn is it to do the coffee run? I went yesterday.
- a cuppato anyone · casuala cup of tea
Put the kettle on, I'm gasping for a cuppa.
- a brewto colleagues · casuala mug of tea, or sometimes coffee
I'm making a brew, does anyone want one?
- a tea roundto colleagues · everydaymaking hot drinks for everyone at work, with people taking turns
It's your turn to do a tea round, I did the last one.
- white, no sugarto anyone · everydayhow you take your tea or coffee: with milk, nothing sweet
Just white, no sugar for me, thanks.
Show all 43Show fewer37 more · 17 with moments
- screen breakto colleagues · everydaya short time away from your computer to rest your eyes
My eyes are killing me, I'm taking a screen break.
- stretch my legsto colleagues · everydaygo for a short walk after sitting for a long time
I've been sat here all morning, I'm going to stretch my legs.
in 1 video - get some fresh airto colleagues · everydaygo outside for a while to feel better
It's boiling in here, I'm going to get some fresh air.
in 4 videos - back in fiveto colleagues · casualwill return in a few minutes
Just popping to the shop, back in five.
- do you want anything?to colleagues · everydayoffering to buy something for someone while you are out
I'm going down to the bakery, do you want anything from there?
in 1 video - lunch breakto colleagues · everydaythe time in the middle of the working day when you stop to eat
I spent my whole lunch break queuing for a sandwich.
in 6 videos - work through lunchto colleagues · everydaykeep working and not stop to eat in the middle of the day
I had to work through lunch to get the report done.
- eat at my deskto colleagues · everydayhave your lunch where you work instead of going out
I'm eating at my desk again, this deadline's killing me.
- fizzy drinkto anyone · everydaya sweet cold drink with bubbles in it, like cola
I'm trying to cut down on fizzy drinks, so I just got water.
- the canteento colleagues · everydaythe room at work where staff can buy and eat meals
The canteen does a decent curry on Fridays if you want to come down.
in 9 videos - can I have ato staff · politea polite way to ask for food or a drink at a counter
Can I have a flat white and a cheese toastie, please?
in 26 videos - are you alright for a bag?to customers · everydayshop staff asking if you want something to carry your shopping in
Are you alright for a bag? They're ten p each now.
- lovelyto anyone · everydaygreat, thanks; said when you get something or a job is done
Lovely, thanks, have a good one.
in 147 videos - is anyone sitting here?to strangers · politeasking if a free seat is taken before you sit down
Sorry, is anyone sitting here? Everywhere else is full.
- the afternoon slumpto colleagues · everydaythe tired, slow feeling you get after your midday meal
I always hit the afternoon slump around three, so that's when I get a coffee.
in 1 video - flaggingto colleagues · casualgetting tired and losing energy
I'm really flagging, I need something sweet.
in 7 videos - caffeine fixto colleagues · casuala drink with caffeine that you feel you need to keep going
Don't talk to me until I've had my caffeine fix.
- a long lunchto colleagues · everydaya midday meal break that goes on much longer than usual
We're having a long lunch on Friday for Jo's leaving do.
- a proper lunchto friends · casuala real meal at a table in the middle of the day, not a snack
I've lived on crisps all week, I need a proper lunch.
- have a wanderto friends · casualwalk slowly around with no fixed plan
It's sunny, I'm going to have a wander down by the river.
- a walk round the blockto colleagues · everydaya short walk that brings you back to where you started
Fancy a walk round the block? I need to get away from my screen.
in 2 videos - catch up over coffeeto friends · everydaymeet for a short time to talk and hear each other's news
We should catch up over coffee next week, it's been ages.
- back to itto colleagues · casualtime to start working again after a pause
Right, back to it, I've got a call at two.
in 31 videos - fag breakto colleagues · casuala short pause from work to go outside and smoke
He's just gone on a fag break, he'll be back in a minute.
in 3 videos - I could murder ato friends · casualreally want to eat or drink something right now
I could murder a bacon sandwich right now.
- a pick-me-upto colleagues · casuala drink or snack that gives you energy when you feel tired
I need a pick-me-up, is anyone else going to the café?
- on the goto anyone · everydaywhile you are busy or moving about, not sitting down to eat
I just had a wrap on the go between meetings.
in 25 videos - nip outto colleagues · casualgo out quickly for a few minutes and come straight back
I'm just going to nip out and get some milk for the office.
- shall we grab lunch?to colleagues · everydayasking someone to go and eat with you at midday
It's nearly one, shall we grab lunch?
- my shoutto friends · casualmy turn to pay for everyone's drinks or food
Put your card away, this one's my shout.
- have a breakto colleagues · everydaystop working for a short time to rest
You've been at it for hours, go and have a break.
in 31 videos - cutleryto anyone · everydaythe knives, forks and spoons you eat with
They forgot to put any cutlery in the bag, so I'm eating my salad with a coffee stirrer.
in 4 videos - heat up my lunchto colleagues · everydaymake your food hot again, usually in the work microwave
There's always a queue for the microwave when I want to heat up my lunch.
- go for a vapeto colleagues · casualstep outside to use an e-cigarette
I'm just going for a vape, back in five.
- comfort breakto colleagues · politea short pause in a meeting so people can go to the toilet
Let's have a quick comfort break and come back at ten past.
- a working lunchto colleagues · everydaya midday meal where you talk about work at the same time
It's a working lunch, so bring your notes and I'll order sandwiches.
- a bapto anyone · everydaya soft round bread roll
I'll grab a bacon bap from the van outside the station.
Running late and changing plans
52 words and phrases · 05/05- oversleptto anyone · everydaywoke up later than you meant to
Sorry, I overslept, I'll be in by ten.
in 3 videos - lost track of timeto friends · everydaydid not notice how late it was getting
Sorry, we got chatting and I completely lost track of time.
in 4 videos - got held upto friends · everydaydelayed by something you could not avoid
Got held up at Bank, I'll be there in ten.
in 3 videos - the meeting ran overto colleagues · everydaya meeting went on longer than planned
My last meeting ran over, can we push the call to half three?
- it slipped my mindto anyone · everydayI forgot all about it
I meant to text you back, it completely slipped my mind.
- set offto friends · everydaystart a journey
When do you set off? The traffic's awful after five.
in 33 videos
Show all 52Show fewer46 more · 14 with moments
- on my wayto friends · everydaygoing there now but not arrived yet
I'm on my way, just changing at Stratford.
in 62 videos - be there in fiveto friends · casualwill arrive in a few minutes
Coming out of the station now, be there in five.
- nearly thereto friends · everydayvery close to arriving
Nearly there, I'm just walking past the church.
in 18 videos - bear with meto anyone · politeplease be patient and wait a moment
Bear with me, I'm still trying to find the place.
in 20 videos - the line's suspendedto anyone · everydayno trains are running on that Tube route for now
The Central line's suspended, so I'm going to be late.
- missed my trainto friends · everydaygot to the station or stop too late and it left without you
Just missed my train, the next one's in half an hour.
- no signalto anyone · everydayyour phone cannot connect, so calls and messages do not get through
Sorry, had no signal on the Tube, just seen your message.
- my phone diedto friends · everydayyour phone's battery ran out and it switched off
My phone died on the bus, that's why you couldn't get hold of me.
- what's your ETA?to friends · casualwhat time will you get here
What's your ETA? I'll get the drinks in.
- how long are you going to be?to friends · casualwhen will you get here
How long are you going to be? The food's just come.
- start without meto friends · everydaybegin before I get there
Start without me, I'll be there by the mains.
- sorry I'm lateto anyone · politean apology for arriving after the agreed time
Sorry I'm late, the lifts at Covent Garden were packed.
in 1 video - my badto friends · casualthat was my fault
My bad, I sent you the wrong address.
in 16 videos - no rushto anyone · everydayyou do not need to hurry
No rush, I'm sat in the pub with a pint.
in 4 videos - sack it offto friends · slangdecide not to do a plan after all
I'm so tired, shall we sack it off and do Sunday instead?
- not feeling up to itto friends · everydaytoo tired or unwell to do it
I'm not feeling up to it tonight, I think I'll stay in.
- at short noticeto anyone · politewith very little warning
Thanks for covering for me at such short notice.
in 2 videos - stand someone upto friends · everydaynot turn up for a date or meeting and not tell the other person
He stood me up, so I ended up having dinner on my own.
- try and make itto friends · everydayhope to come but may not manage to; often means probably not
I'll try and make it, but don't wait for me.
- make it up to youto friends · everydaydo something nice later to say sorry for disappointing someone
Sorry I missed your birthday, I'll make it up to you.
- where've you got to?to friends · casualasking where someone is when they still have not arrived
Where've you got to? We're about to go in.
- the line's downto anyone · casualtrains on that route have stopped running for now
The Northern line's down again, I'll have to walk.
- stuck in trafficto friends · everydayin a car or bus that can barely move because the roads are full
I'm stuck in traffic on the A13, go ahead and order.
in 3 videos - stuck at workto friends · everydaystill at your job and not able to leave yet
Still stuck at work, I don't think I'll make it before nine.
- bang on timeto friends · casualat exactly the agreed time
Look at you, bang on time, that's a first.
- been waiting agesto friends · casualwaited a very long time for someone
I've been waiting ages, are you even on your way?
- about timeto friends · casualfinally, you should have come sooner
About time! We were about to give up on you.
in 32 videos - catch you upto friends · everydayreach you later after you have gone on ahead
You lot go on ahead, I'll catch you up.
- keep you postedto anyone · everydaytell someone the news as things change
No idea when the trains will start again, I'll keep you posted.
- it's offto friends · casualthe plan will not happen now
Sorry, it's off, Tom's come down with something.
- let someone downto friends · politedisappoint someone by not doing what you promised
Sorry to let you down, I just can't get away from work.
in 20 videos - change of planto friends · everydaythe arrangement is now different
Change of plan, let's meet at Liverpool Street instead.
in 4 videos - I'm outsideto friends · everydayI have arrived and am waiting by the door
I'm outside, can you buzz me in?
- a signal failureto anyone · everydaya fault in the railway control system that delays trains
There's a signal failure at Baker Street, so it's going to take forever.
- missed my stopto anyone · everydaystayed on the bus or train past the place you wanted to get off
I was half asleep and missed my stop, now I'm in Walthamstow.
- won't be longto friends · everydaywill be there or ready very soon
Just looking for my keys, I won't be long.
- a no-showto anyone · everydaya person who says they will come but never arrives
We booked for ten, but one was a no-show.
- save me a seatto friends · casualkeep a chair free for someone who is coming later
Can you save me a seat? I'm running a bit behind.
- which exitto friends · everydayasking which way out of the station someone is waiting at
I'm at King's Cross now, which exit are you at?
- mess someone aroundto friends · casualkeep changing plans in a way that causes someone trouble
Sorry to mess you around, can we move it to Friday?
- fall throughto friends · everydayfail to happen as planned
Our weekend in Brighton fell through, so I'm around on Saturday.
in 25 videos - better late than neverto anyone · casualit is good that it happened, even if it took a long time
Three hours after everyone else, but better late than never!
in 2 videos - got lostto anyone · everydaydid not know where you were or how to reach the place
I got lost coming out of Bank, there are so many ways out.
in 11 videos - rock upto friends · casualarrive somewhere casually, often late or without warning
He rocked up an hour late with a coffee in his hand.
- get me one into friends · casualbuy me a drink so it's ready when I arrive
Running ten minutes behind, get me one in!
- tied upto colleagues · everydaybusy with something and not free to leave or talk
Sorry, I'm a bit tied up. Can we do eight instead?
More packs
- Mornings in LondonAlarms, getting ready and the first cuppa of the day.
- Food and shops in LondonCooking, a quick bite, the shops and paying.
- Feelings and health in LondonMoods, feeling rough and keeping in touch.
About this pack
- Price
- Free
- Account
- Sign in with Google to practise
- Daily
- 5, 10 or 20 new a day, reviews first
- Moments
- 172 of 389 have a clip
- Sources
Picked by Talk, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Words and phrases
- Picked by Talk.
- How Talk picked them
- Part of Talk's Daily life in London set of 8 packs. We drafted 3,261 candidate words and phrases for daily life in London, from waking up and taking the bins out to the pub, a walk and a lazy evening in. We checked them against current dictionaries, British media and Londoners' own discussions online. At least two independent reviews per phrase kept the ones adult Londoners commonly say today and dropped dated, regional and American ones. Where Talk's spoken videos say a phrase with the same meaning, it comes with up to three moments. This pack holds the 389 for getting around, the weather and work.
- Licence
- Talk shares this list under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Meanings and examples
- Written by Talk in plain English.
- Dictionary details
- From Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Princeton WordNet, used under the WordNet licence. WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
Start practising
About 8 min Free, no account