Have you ever heard someone exclaim “chill out,” “take a hike,” or “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” and wonder what it really means? They are English slang expressions! Check out these videos and explanations to find out more about American English slang.
Practice English slang with your friends and colleagues
In American English, slang is sometimes used to describe a situation or someone’s behaviour. It’s a way to explain something using less words and often is used between friends and colleagues. You might even hear strangers using it to describe something!
These videos and explanations of slang are a great way to help expand your English vocabulary, deepen your understanding of English, get a better score on the IELTS speaking exam part 1 and improve your spoken English. Watch the videos, read the examples and try using some slang with your friends!
And, if you want to learn some idioms too, be sure to check this out: American English Idioms.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Bolen, Jackie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 122 Pages - 05/10/2021 (Publication Date)
Chill out
Chill out = relax, take a breath.
Examples:
“Dude, it’s not that big of a deal. Chill out.”
“Chill out and go score that goal. You’ve got this.”
I’m gonna bail / Let’s bail
I’m gonna bail / Let’s bail = To leave or depart abruptly.
Examples:
“This party is lame, I’m not having fun. I’m gonna bail.”
“I think he’s being rude and it’s uncomfortable. Let’s bail.”
Third wheel
Third wheel = Describes someone who is hanging out with a couple.
Examples:
“My boyfriend can’t come, so I’ll just be the third wheel on our camping trip.”
“I don’t wanna be your third wheel at the movies, sorry.”
Couch Potato
Couch Potato = People who aren’t that active, instead preferring to sit on the couch and watch TV or play video games.
Examples:
“Stop being a couch potato and get your homework done!”
“John’s being a couch potato, he won’t want to go on a hike with us.”
Let’s roll / I’m gonna roll
Let’s roll / I’m gonna roll = go somewhere; to start moving.
Examples:
“We’re done shopping here. Let’s roll.”
“I’m getting tired and I have to work tomorrow morning. I’m gonna roll.”
Catch some rays
Catch some rays = go outside in the sun.
Examples:
“Want to go to the beach and catch some rays with me?”
“It’s a beautiful day outside. Let’s go catch some rays!”
Hang out
Hang out = spend time with someone.
Examples:
“Do you want to hang out tomorrow night?”
“Yuri and I are hanging out later, do you want to join?”
All nighter
All nighter = Stayed up the entire night to study or work.
Examples:
“The due date is tomorrow at 11am so I’m pulling an all nighter tonight to get it completed.”
“Are you really going to pull an all nighter again? You’ll think better with a bit of sleep!”
No worries
No worries = It’s okay.
Examples:
“You need next Saturday off? No worries.”
“No worries, I am a bit late anyways.”
Hit the books
Hit the books = studied; to study.
Examples:
“I’ve got a midterm tomorrow afternoon so I’m gonna hit the books.”
“Hey Ian, do you want to hit the books with me?”
I’m down
I’m down = An expression that shows you want to do the thing that the other person is suggesting. Same as, “I’m in.”
Examples:
“Yeah, I’m down to go to the movies later on.”
“Study group at 11:00am for Maths 101? I’m down.”
Pit Stop
Pit stop = stopping to get snacks or go to the bathroom on a road trip.
“Hey Ian, can we have a pit stop please?”
“We’ve been driving a while now, I think I’m going to have a pit stop.”
TMI (Too Much Information)
TMI = Too much information. Used to express displeasure when someone tells you something that you think should be kept private.
“Dude, I don’t need to know that, TMI!”
“I don’t wanna know how your finger broke, that’s TMI!”
Stoner
Stoner = describes someone who smokes marijuana (or partakes in illegal drugs) regularly or almost every day.
“Jim is a stoner, he takes naps constantly.”
“Don’t expect her homework to be on time, she’s a stoner.”
Slacker
Slacker = describes someone who is lazy.
“He has been a slacker on our group project, he isn’t doing his work.”
“I’m so frustrated, she’s a slacker and it’s affecting my work.”
Meltdown/Having a Meltdown
Meltdown/Having a Meltdown = temper tantrum.
“Timmy didn’t get to eat candy for dinner, so now he’s having a meltdown.”
“She forgot to save all her work, so she’s having a meltdown now that it’s gone.”
Pull Over
Pull over = stop the car on the side of the road.
“There’s a bee in the car!! Please pull over!”
“I really need to use the washroom, do you mind pulling over?”
Damage Control / Doing Damage Control
Damage control = trying to contain a bad situation.
“He’s going to have to do damage control with his boss after what he said about him.”
“They’re doing damage control after what that politician said.”
Hangry/I’m Hangry
Hangry/I’m Hangry = hungry + angry combined
“I’m getting hangry, stop here so I can get some food.”
“You don’t want to bother Peter right now, he’s hangry.”
Hey Bro
Hey Bro = a way to greet a close male friend (if you’re also a guy).
“Hey bro, want to go kick some ball later on?”
“Hey bro, I’m not cool with that.”
Dumped
Dumped = broken up with.
“She dumped me last night. I’m so upset.”
“I just got dumped, I need a night out!”
Getting Hitched
Getting hitched = getting married.
“Ladies! I’m getting hitched!!!”
“Did you hear? He got hitched in Vegas over the weekend!”
Flakey
Flakey = describes someone who doesn’t follow through with what they say or always cancels plans.
“Don’t bother inviting him, he’s super flakey and probably won’t show up.”
“Why are you so flakey? I keep inviting you but you never show up.”
Wheels
Wheels = a car.
“Did you see her new wheels? Awesome colour choice!”
“Hop in, we’ll take my wheels to get there.”
Busted
Busted = to get caught doing something wrong.
“I got busted for skipping school, so I’m grounded for the week.”
“I got busted last time, I don’t wanted to get busted again.”
Flunking
Flunking = failing.
“If you don’t study, you’re going to end up flunking the test.”
“I don’t want to flunk the test, can I have extra study time please?”
Keener
Keener = describes someone who is the opposite of lazy.
“You already finished all the readings? You’re such a keener!”
“You can tell the new girl is a keener, she knew so much about this weeks lecture!”
American English Party Slang
If you’re going to a party in the USA, you’ll need to know these fun words to use!
More American English Slang
Here are some of the most common English slang expressions used in the USA.
- “Cool”: Meaning something is impressive or pleasing.
- “Awesome”: Similar to “cool,” expressing high approval or admiration.
- “Dude”: Used informally to refer to a person, often a friend.
- “Bummer”: Referring to something disappointing or unfortunate.
- “Chill”: Slang for relaxing or taking it easy.
- “Hang out”: Spending casual time together with friends.
- “Couch potato”: Describing someone who spends a lot of time sitting and watching TV.
- “Hit the road”: Means to leave or start a journey.
- “Bite the bullet”: Facing a difficult situation with courage.
- “FOMO” (Fear of Missing Out): Feeling anxious about missing out on something exciting.
- “Out of the blue”: Refers to something unexpected or sudden.
- “Piece of cake”: Meaning something is easy to do.
- “Hangover”: Unpleasant physical effects after drinking alcohol.
- “Broke”: Having no money or being financially tight.
- “Blow off steam”: To release pent-up emotions or stress.
- “Crazy”: Informal way of saying something is very surprising or unbelievable.
- “Yup” or “Yep”: Informal affirmations, similar to saying “yes.”
- “Gonna”: Shortened form of “going to.”
- “Laid-back”: Describing someone who is relaxed and easygoing.
- “The real deal”: Refers to something genuine or authentic.
- “Hangry”: A combination of “hungry” and “angry,” describing the feeling when hunger makes you irritable.
- “What’s up?” or “Wassup?”: A casual greeting asking about someone’s current situation.
- “No biggie”: Slang for saying something is not a problem or not a big deal.
- “Sick”: Informally used to describe something amazing or impressive.
- “Hit the books”: Refers to studying or reading, especially for school.
- “GYAT“: Get Your Act Together.
What do you think about American English slang?
Leave a comment below to let me know what you think and what American English slang you want to hear next!
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Bolen, Jackie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 122 Pages - 05/10/2021 (Publication Date)
Also, you might want to check out these English Expressions.
Last update on 2024-08-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Leave a Reply