In Britain, exaggeration isn’t just a way of speaking; it’s an art form. Here are a million, well actually 20, hyperbolic phrases that Brits wield with unmatched enthusiasm, often leaving reality bewildered in the dust.
And don’t forget to add your own to the comments!
#1. “Raining Cats and Dogs”
Because describing it as a heavy downpour simply won’t do.
#2. “I’m Starving to Death”
Uttered mere hours after a full meal, naturally.
#3. This Bag Weighs a Ton”
A slight exaggeration for anything over a kilo.
#4. “I’ve Walked a Thousand Miles Today”
Likely not even close to a marathon, but who’s counting?
#5. “I’ve Got a Million Things to Do”
The to-do list might be long, but probably not that long.
#6. “You’ve Made Me the Happiest Person in the World”
British for “I’m quite pleased, actually.”
#7. “I’ve Heard That Joke a Billion Times”
And yet, somehow, it’s still funny.
#8. “I’m Dying of Embarrassment”
Survival rate is surprisingly high.
#9. “That Test Was Impossible”
It was just a tad difficult, really.
#10. “My Feet Are Killing Me”
The price of fashion or a day’s sightseeing.
#11. “I Was Waiting for an Eternity”
Anything over five minutes qualifies.
#12. “You Could Have Knocked Me Over With a Feather”
Surprised? Yes. Actually feather-sensitive? Doubtful.
#13. “I Laughed my Head off”
Still firmly attached, though.
#14. “I Nearly Jumped Out of My Skin”
A close encounter with a spider can do that.
#15. “I’ve Told You a Million Times Not to Exaggerate”
Irony, British style.
#16. “It Was Fun”
When it was anything but, delivered with a stiff upper lip.
#17. “The Wind Nearly Blew Me Away”
A breezy day turned into a survival story.
#18. “I’ve Got About 10,000 Emails”
Inbox anxiety reaches new, exaggerated heights.
#19. “He’s Like 12”
For anyone under the age of 30, apparently.
#20. “It Was Literally…”
The setup for any story where ‘literally’ means ‘figuratively’.
British Flair
And there you have it, a testament to the British flair for making the ordinary seem extraordinary through sheer linguistic prowess.
Which one is your most commonly used? Can you add more to the list in the comments?
The post 20 Everyday Phrases Brits Go Overboard With! first appeared on LoveLists.
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For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.