12 British Sayings That Americans Don't Understand

Everyone knows that for the Brits, an elevator is a "lift," an apartment is a "flat," and those chips you're snacking on are actually called "crisps."

But British people also say some other really weird, confusing things.

To celebrate the $4, we compiled 12 British phrases that will leave Americans utterly flummoxed. You might just see these on our new site.

1. "They lost the plot."

When someone has "lost the plot," it means they have lost their cool. It's a common phrase in English football in particular, and is generally used when a $4 or $4.

2. "I haven't seen that in donkey's years."

"Donkey's years" translates to "a really long time," mainly because "donkey's ears" kind of sounded like "donkey's years" and $4.

The phrase was underscored by the belief that donkeys live a long time ($4) and have very long ears ($4).>$4

3. "Quit your whinging!"

When someone is "whinging," it means they're $4. The next time your coworker is complaining about something, feel free to call him a whinger.

4. "He's such a chav."

This is a pejorative epithet in Britain that's used to described a $4: A working-class person who's loud or brash and wears (usually fake) designer clothes - especially the classic Burberry check.

It's essentially the British version of "white trash" and $4.

5. "You've thrown a spanner in the works."

When you "put/throw a spanner in the works," it means you've ruined a plan. A spanner is the $4 in England, so it's the British equivalent of "throwing a wrench in the works.">$4

6. "Let's have a chin-wag."

Though fairly self-explanatory, having a "chinwag" (sometimes "$4") means that you're having a brief chat with someone, usually associated with gossip. Just imagine a chin wagging up and down, and you'll get the idea why.>$4

7. "I'm chuffed to bits."

If you're "chuffed to bits," it means that you're $4. It's also acceptable to say "chuffed" all on its own: "I've just scored free tickets to the Beyoncé concert, and I'm well chuffed!">$4

8. "That's manky."

Something that is "manky" is unpleasantly $4. Its slang usage dates back to the 1950s, and was probably a combination of "mank" (meaning mutilated or maimed), the Old French word "manqué" (to fail), and the Latin "mancus" (maimed). >$4

You can also feel "manky" if $4.>$4

9. "My cat? She's a moggy."

A "moggy" or "moggie" refers to an alley cat or a cat without a pedigree, but is often $4 as another word for "cat."

10. "This was an absolute doddle to do."

Something that's a "doddle" is a $4. Though the origin is unknown, it dates back to the 1930s and is still common today.

11. "You're taking the piss."

When you "take the piss" with someone, that means that $4. For example, if a cashier overcharges you on something, he is taking the piss.>$4

It can also be a stand-in phrase for when you're mocking or teasing someone, though this is more commonly said as "$4" someone or something. For example: "They're always taking the piss out of John because he likes Taylor Swift.">$4

12. "I've dropped a clanger."

When someone makes an embarrassing gaffe that upsets someone else, they've "$4."

For example, if you offer your seat to a pregnant woman on the subway and she tells you that she's not actually pregnant, you may have dropped a clanger.

Know of other great British idioms that we missed? Add them in the comments!