Colloquial English

by | 7 Feb 2021 | General English, Grammar

Colloquial (adjective) language is informal day to day English expressions.

 

 

Mandy has bumped into Fred at Liverpool Street Station. ‘What’s up Fred? You are looking pretty unhappy!’ ‘Oh you know, this and that, things are bugging me at the office.’ ‘Sorry to hear that Fred, I thought you were really happy there!’. ‘Well I earn a few quid but the work hours are messing with my family life.’ ‘Well what you need to do now is pop out with your friends for a drink!’

 

So what are they talking about? 

 

 

‘Mandy has bumped into Fred at Liverpool Street Station.’

Without planning Mandy has unexpectedly met Fred at Liverpool Street Station.

 

examples

If I am bump into them, I will ask them if they would like to join us on holiday.  

How funny, we always seem to bump into each other in the supermarket!

I do not care who you bump into, during work hours we need you to focus 100% on your work. You must be seen at your desk!

 

What’s up Fred?

Mandy is asking how Fred is.

 

 

example

Give me a call or send me a message and let me know what’s up.

 

You are looking pretty unhappy!’

In this context pretty means quite intensively. We use this adverb to intensify adjectives.

It is pretty cold.

I am pretty hungry.

That is a pretty nice car.

 

 

 

‘… things are bugging me at the office.’

When something or someone bugs someone or is bugging someone, they or it is causing a persistent problem.

 

examples

Stop bugging me!

He bugs me by following me everywhere!

This has been bugging me for weeks, I have no idea what to do!

 

 

‘Well I earn a few quid but the work hours are messing with my family life.’

Quid is slang for the money denomination of ‘pounds’.

 

examples

 

Fifty quid for a T-shirt, are you crazy?

I am quids in this week, lets go out! (I have a lot of money)

Would like like to borrow a few quid? (some money)

 

‘Well what you need to do now is pop out with your friends for a drink!’  

To go out, normally for positive reasons.

 

examples

 

She needs to pop out to make a call.

Maybe we should pop out for a quick chat.

He is not hear because he popped out.

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