Home life in London: 364 British English phrases

364 words and phrases4 topics145 with momentsfrom 178 videos

do the washing-up

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All 364 words and phrases, by topic

Tap any word or phrase to hear it and play its moments where it has them. It covers housework, laundry, bins and the flat, with phrases like tidy up, can't be bothered and the bills.

Housework

89 words and phrases · 01/04

do the washing-upto friends · casualclean the dirty plates, pans and cups after a mealWhoever cooks doesn't have to do the washing-up, that's the rule.in 5 videos
washing-up liquidto anyone · everydaysoap for cleaning plates and pans by handCan you grab some washing-up liquid on your way home? We've run out.
do the drying-upto friends · casualwipe the water off clean plates and pans with a clothGrab a tea towel and do the drying-up, it'll be quicker with two of us.
tea towelto anyone · everydaya cloth for wiping clean plates, cups and pans dryDon't dry your hands on the tea towel, it's for the plates.in 1 video
draining boardto anyone · everydaythe ridged area by the kitchen sink where washed plates are left to dripJust leave the glasses on the draining board, I'll put them away later.
leave it to soakto anyone · everydaylet a dirty pan sit in water so dried-on food comes off more easilyI'm not being lazy, I've left it to soak.

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load the dishwasherto friends · casualput dirty plates and cups into the machine that washes themWho loaded the dishwasher like this? Half of it won't come out clean.in 1 video
empty the dishwasherto family · everydaytake the clean things out of the machine and put them back in the cupboardsCould you empty the dishwasher? There's nowhere to put the dirty stuff.
hooverto friends · casualclean the floor or carpet with an electric machine that sucks up dirtCan you hoover your room? There's glitter everywhere from the party.in 16 videos
do the dustingto anyone · everydaywipe the fine dirt off shelves and other surfacesI never do the dusting till someone's coming to stay.
mop the floorto anyone · everydayclean a hard floor with a wet cloth or sponge on a long handleDon't walk on it yet, I've just mopped the floor.in 3 videos
dustpan and brushto anyone · everydaya small flat scoop and hand broom for sweeping up dirtWhere's the dustpan and brush? I've dropped a glass.
wipe downto anyone · everydayclean a surface all over with a damp clothCan you wipe down the sides when you've finished cooking?in 8 videos
worktopto anyone · everydaythe flat surface in a kitchen where you prepare foodDon't put the hot pan straight on the worktop, it'll leave a mark.
kitchen rollto friends · casualthick soft paper sheets on a roll, for wiping up spillsPass us some kitchen roll, I've spilt my tea everywhere.
scrubto anyone · everydayrub something hard with a brush or rough sponge to get it cleanI scrubbed the bath for half an hour and it's still grey.in 37 videos
elbow greaseto friends · casualhard physical effort, especially when cleaning by handThat oven needs some elbow grease, nobody's touched it in years.in 4 videos
limescaleto anyone · everydaythe hard white layer that builds up on taps, kettles and showersThe kettle's full of limescale, that's London water for you.
plugholeto friends · casualthe hole in a sink or bath where the water drains awayThere's hair blocking the plughole again, whose is it?
mouldto anyone · everydayblack or green growth on damp walls, windows and shower sealsThere's black mould all over the bathroom ceiling, I'm telling the landlord.in 2 videos
do the bathroomto friends · casualclean the toilet, sink, bath and shower properlyIt's my week to do the bathroom, so I'll get it done on Sunday.
tidy upto anyone · everydayput things back where they belong so a room looks neatI'll just have a quick tidy before they get here.in 3 videos
put awayto anyone · everydayreturn something to the place where it is keptPut your stuff away before my parents arrive, please.in 17 videos
leave stuff lying aroundto friends · casualleave your things all over the place instead of putting them backMy flatmate leaves stuff lying around and then blames me when she can't find it.
clean up after yourselfto anyone · everydaydeal with your own mess so others don't have toUse the kitchen whenever you like, just clean up after yourself.
looks like a bomb's hit itto friends · casuala room is in total chaos, with things everywhereAfter the party, the kitchen looked like a bomb had hit it.
the state of itto friends · casualsaid in shock about how messy or dirty something isLook at the state of this kitchen! Who had people round?
in a stateto friends · casualvery messy or dirtyThe bathroom was in a right state after they left.
a pigstyto family · casuala very dirty, messy room or homeYour bedroom's a pigsty, at least open a window.
rankto friends · slangsmelling or looking really nastyDon't open the fridge, that milk's rank.in 53 videos
grimto friends · casualdirty and unpleasant to be in or useThe shower in that flat was a bit grim, to be honest.in 24 videos
have a clear-outto anyone · everydayget rid of things you don't need from a room or cupboardI had a clear out at the weekend and filled six bin bags.
choresto anyone · everydaythe regular jobs needed to keep a home clean and runningWe split the chores, but somehow I always get the bathroom.in 9 videos
houseworkto anyone · everydayall the cleaning and other jobs done in a homeI spent the whole of Sunday doing the housework.in 5 videos
rotato anyone · everydaya list that shows whose turn it is to do each jobWe've got a cleaning rota on the fridge, but nobody follows it.
whose turn is it?to friends · everydayasking which person should do the job this timeWhose turn is it to clean the oven? It's definitely not mine.
do your bitto anyone · everydayhelp with your fair part of the workI'm happy to do my bit, I just won't do everyone else's as well.in 1 video
pull your weightto friends · casualwork as hard as everyone else in the groupIf you're not going to pull your weight, at least pay for a cleaner.
passive-aggressive noteto friends · casuala polite-sounding written message that is really a complaintSomeone's left a passive-aggressive note on the fridge about the milk.
i'm not your mumto family · casualdon't expect me to clean up your mess for youPick your socks up off the floor, I'm not your mum.
slobto friends · casuala lazy, messy personHonestly, I turn into a total slob when I live on my own.in 2 videos
clean freakto friends · casuala person who wants everything perfectly neat and germ-free all the timeShe's a bit of a clean freak, she bleaches the bins every week.
spotlessto anyone · everydaycompletely cleanYou've done the kitchen? It's absolutely spotless.in 2 videos
give the place a good cleanto anyone · everydaywash and wipe everything in the home properlyLet's give the place a good clean before the landlord comes round.
have a blitzto friends · casualclean a place fast and thoroughly, with lots of energyMy parents are coming at two, so I had a blitz on the flat this morning.
end-of-tenancy cleanto anyone · everydaya very thorough clean of a rented home when you move outThe landlord wants a professional end-of-tenancy clean before we hand the keys back.
get a cleanerto friends · everydaypay someone to come and clean your home regularlyIf we split it four ways, we could easily get a cleaner.
keep on top ofto anyone · everydaydeal with something regularly so it doesn't get out of controlWith two kids, I just can't keep on top of the washing.in 6 videos
pile upto anyone · everydaybuild up into a big heap when left undone, like dirty platesThe dirty plates have been piling up all week.in 42 videos
get round to itto anyone · everydayfinally find time for something you've been putting offI keep meaning to defrost the freezer, I just never get round to it.
can't be botheredto friends · casualdon't feel like making the effortI couldn't be bothered to cook, so we got a takeaway.in 5 videos
leave it, i'll do itto anyone · politea polite way to tell someone not to help clean upOh, leave it, I'll do it later, you're a guest.
put the dishwasher onto friends · everydaystart the machine that washes the platesCan you put the dishwasher on before bed? It's full.
clear the tableto anyone · everydaytake the plates, glasses and food away after a mealCan someone clear the table so I can give it a wipe?
the hooverto anyone · everydaythe electric machine that sucks dirt off floors and carpetsThe hoover's lost all its suction again.
sweepto anyone · everydaybrush dirt off the floor with a broomI'll sweep up the glass, don't come in here in your socks.in 76 videos
the sidesto friends · casualthe flat surfaces in a kitchen where you make foodCan you not leave your dirty plates all over the sides?
anti-bacto friends · casuala cleaning spray or wipe that kills germsWipe the sides with some anti-bac after you've done the chicken.
clean the looto friends · casualscrub the toilet bowl and seatI cleaned the loo last week, it's definitely your turn.in 1 video
tidyto anyone · everydayneat, with everything in its placeYour room's looking very tidy, who are you trying to impress?in 10 videos
sort outto anyone · everydayput a messy room or cupboard back in orderThis weekend I'm finally going to sort out the cupboard under the stairs.in 27 videos
declutterto anyone · everydayget rid of things you don't need so a space feels less fullI've been decluttering and the flat feels twice the size.
make a messto anyone · everydaycause a place to become dirty or untidyHave fun, just don't make a mess in the kitchen.in 8 videos
messyto anyone · everydaynot neat, with things all over the placeI'm messy, but I'm not dirty, there's a difference.in 69 videos
filthyto anyone · everydayextremely dirtyThe carpet was absolutely filthy when we moved in.in 23 videos
mankyto friends · casualdirty, old and nastyThat tea towel's manky, stick it in the wash.
looks loads betterto friends · casualthe place is much nicer and neater nowYou've cleaned the bathroom? It looks loads better.
such a choreto anyone · everydaya boring, tiring job you'd rather not doIroning shirts every Sunday is such a chore.
deep cleanto anyone · everydaya very thorough wash of every corner of a placeThe oven needs a proper deep clean before we move out.in 2 videos
spring cleanto anyone · everydaya big, thorough clean and sort-out of the whole homeI'm doing a spring clean this weekend, so I'm staying in.
give it a once-overto friends · casualclean a place quickly and lightlyI'll give it a once-over before they arrive.
make the bedto anyone · everydaystraighten the covers and pillows after you get upI always make the bed, even if the rest of the room's a mess.in 3 videos
change the sheetsto anyone · everydayput clean covers on the bedRemember to change the sheets before your sister comes to stay.
run the hoover roundto anyone · everydayclean the floors quickly with the machine that sucks up dustI'll just run the hoover round before everyone turns up.
grottyto friends · casualdirty, run-down and unpleasantIt's a grotty little flat, but it's ten minutes from the Tube.
leave your dishes in the sinkto friends · casualput used plates in the sink and walk away without washing themWho keeps leaving their dishes in the sink overnight?
muck into friends · casualjoin in and help with shared jobsIf everyone mucks in on Saturday, the flat'll be done in an hour.
marigoldsto friends · casualrubber gloves for cleaning and washing platesI'm not touching that oven without my marigolds on.
house-proudto anyone · everydaycaring a lot about keeping your home clean and niceMy landlady's really house-proud, so it's shoes off at the door.
mop upto anyone · everydaysoak up a spill with a cloth or paperI've spilt wine on the carpet, help me mop it up.
skirting boardsto anyone · everydaythe narrow wooden strip along the bottom of each wallNobody ever cleans the skirting boards until they move out.
tatto friends · casualcheap, useless things nobody really needsThe spare room is full of tat from car boot sales.
clean as you goto anyone · everydaywash and tidy things while you cook, not all at the endJust clean as you go and there's nothing left to do after dinner.
do the dishesto friends · casualwash the plates, pans and cups after a mealI cooked, so you can do the dishes.in 7 videos
clutterto anyone · everydaylots of untidy things lying around and filling a spaceThere's so much clutter on the table, I can't find my keys.in 9 videos
J-clothto anyone · everydaya thin, cheap cleaning cloth you throw away after a few usesGive the table a wipe with a J-cloth, would you?
skivvyto friends · casuala person stuck doing all the boring household jobsI'm not your skivvy, wash your own mugs.
pongto friends · casuala strong nasty smellWhat's that pong in the kitchen? I think something's gone off in the fridge.
dishwasher tabletsto anyone · everydaysmall blocks of soap you put in the machine that washes platesWe're out of dishwasher tablets, can you grab some on the way home?

Laundry

76 words and phrases · 02/04

the washingto anyone · everydayclothes and sheets that need cleaning or have just been cleanedI can't come out yet, I've got to hang the washing up first.in 13 videos
a load of washingto anyone · everydaythe amount of clothes the machine cleans in one goI'll put a load of washing on before I head out.
the washing's piling upto anyone · everydaydirty clothes keep building up because nobody has cleaned themI've been working late all week and the washing's piling up.
nothing clean to wearto anyone · everydayall your clothes are dirtyI need to do a wash tonight, I've got nothing clean to wear tomorrow.
washing basketto family · everydaycontainer where you keep dirty clothes until they're cleanedYour socks go in the washing basket, not on the bathroom floor.in 1 video
washing machineto anyone · everydaymachine at home that cleans clothes with water and soapOur washing machine's in the kitchen, right next to the fridge.in 12 videos

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washer dryerto anyone · everydayone machine that both cleans and dries clothesWe've only got a washer dryer, so drying a duvet takes all day.
is the machine free?to anyone · everydayasking if you can use the washing machine nowIs the machine free? I just want to put a few towels on.
stick it in with mineto friends · casualadd someone's clothes to your own load so they're cleaned togetherI'm doing a dark wash, shall I stick it in with mine?
stick it in the washto friends · casualadd a dirty item to the clothes waiting to be cleanedDon't worry about the wine on your top, just stick it in the wash.
darksto anyone · everydayblack, navy and other deep-shade clothes cleaned together in one loadI'm putting the darks on now, chuck your black jeans in.in 2 videos
whitesto anyone · everydaypale clothes, towels and sheets cleaned together in one loadKeep that red top well away from the whites.in 33 videos
coloursto anyone · everydaybright clothes, like red, blue or green ones, cleaned together in one loadCan I put my T-shirts in with your colours?
wash it at 30to anyone · everydayuse the cool 30 degrees Celsius setting on the machineIt's a bit delicate, so I'd wash it at 30.
a hot washto anyone · everydaya high-heat machine setting for towels, sheets and very dirty thingsTowels need a hot wash now and then or they start to smell.
a quick washto anyone · everydayshort machine setting for clothes that are only a bit dirtyPut it on a quick wash, I need my gym kit by six.
eco modeto anyone · everydaymachine setting that uses less power but takes much longerIt's on eco mode, so it won't be done for another three hours.
spin cycleto anyone · everydayend of a wash, when the drum turns fast to push the water outIt's on the spin cycle, that's why the whole kitchen's shaking.
washing powderto anyone · everydaysoap in dry grains that you put in the machine with dirty clothesWe're out of washing powder, can you grab some on your way home?
washing podsto anyone · everydaysmall ready-measured packs of soap you drop straight in with the clothesI just use washing pods now, I can never measure the powder right.
non-bioto anyone · everydayof soap for clothes: a gentler kind, often used for babies or sore skinI have to buy non-bio or I come out in a rash.
fabric conditionerto friends · casualliquid added to the wash to make clothes soft and smell niceWho used half a bottle of fabric conditioner? Everything smells like a candle shop.
washing liquidto anyone · everydaythick soap you pour into the machine to clean clothesGrab some washing liquid if you're passing Tesco, we're nearly out.
take the washing outto friends · everydayremove the clean wet clothes from the machineCan you take the washing out when it beeps? I'll be on a call.
leave your washing in the machineto friends · casualnot take your clean clothes out after the wash, so others must waitSomeone's left their washing in the machine again, and it's been there since yesterday.
mustyto anyone · everydaysmelling stale and a bit wet, like clothes left damp too longI forgot it in the drum overnight and now it's all musty.
washing lineto anyone · everydayrope or wire outdoors that you hang wet clothes on to dryHelp me get the sheets on the washing line before it rains.
pegsto anyone · everydaysmall clips that hold wet clothes on a linePass me a couple of pegs, this sheet keeps blowing off.
bring the washing into anyone · everydaycollect clothes from the line outside, often because rain is comingIt's starting to spit, can you bring the washing in?
a good drying dayto anyone · everydaydry, sunny or breezy weather when clothes dry fast outsideSun and a bit of wind, it's a good drying day. Shame I'm stuck in the office.
heated airerto anyone · everydayindoor drying frame that warms up when you plug it inI got a heated airer, it's loads cheaper to run than the tumble dryer.
dry it on the radiatorto anyone · everydayhang wet clothes over the wall heater until the water's goneMy top is soaked, so I'll dry it on the radiator.
dehumidifierto anyone · everydaymachine that pulls water out of the air in a roomPut the dehumidifier on in the spare room and the washing will be dry by morning.in 1 video
still dampto anyone · everydaynot fully dry yet, a little wetMy hoodie's still damp, I'll have to wear a jumper instead.in 1 video
bone dryto anyone · everydaywith no wetness left at allI left the sheets out all afternoon and they came in bone dry.in 3 videos
takes ages to dryto anyone · everydayneeds a very long time before it's no longer wetIn winter everything takes ages to dry in this flat.
tumble dryerto anyone · everydaymachine that dries clothes by turning them in hot airWe haven't got a tumble dryer, so it's the airer or nothing.in 6 videos
stick it in the dryerto friends · casualput clothes into the hot-air machine to get them dryI'm running late, I'll just put it in the dryer for ten minutes.in 1 video
tumble-dryto anyone · everydaydry clothes in a machine that spins them in hot airDon't tumble-dry my jeans, they'll shrink.
shrink in the washto anyone · everydayget smaller after being cleaned in the machineMy jumper's shrunk in the wash, it'd fit my niece now.
run in the washto anyone · everydayof a dyed item: leak its dye and stain other clothesA red sock ran in the wash and now all my shirts are pink.
bobblyto friends · casualcovered in tiny balls of fluff after lots of wear and washingThis jumper's gone all bobbly after three washes.
hand washto anyone · everydayclean an item gently in a sink, not in the machineIt's hand wash only, so I'll do it in the sink tonight.in 5 videos
dry clean onlyto anyone · everydayof clothes: must be cleaned at a special shop, not in waterDon't put my blazer in the machine, it's dry clean only.
the dry cleaner'sto anyone · everydayshop that cleans clothes with chemicals instead of waterI need to drop my suit at the dry cleaner's before the wedding.in 1 video
the launderetteto anyone · everydayshop with paid machines where anyone can wash and dry clothesOur machine's broken, so I'm taking the duvet to the launderette.
packed upto friends · casualof a machine: stopped workingThe washing machine's packed up again and the landlord isn't answering.
ironing boardto anyone · everydaylong narrow folding table you press clothes onThe ironing board lives behind the bedroom door because there's nowhere else.
a pile of ironingto anyone · everydaya heap of clean clothes waiting to be pressedThere's a pile of ironing on the chair and I'm pretending it isn't there.
steam itto anyone · everydaysmooth out creases using hot wet air from a small handheld machineDon't bother ironing that dress, just steam it.
fold the washingto friends · everydaymake the dry clothes into neat flat pilesI'll fold the washing if you put the kettle on.in 2 videos
put the washing awayto friends · everydayreturn clean dry clothes to drawers and the wardrobeI'll put the washing away after dinner, I promise.
strip the bedto anyone · everydaytake all the sheets and covers off a bed to wash themI'll strip the bed before your parents come and put everything on a hot wash.
sort the washingto anyone · everydaysplit dirty clothes into piles by type before cleaning themI always sort the washing first so nothing ends up pink.
check your pocketsto friends · everydaylook inside clothes for things like keys or tissues before washing themCheck your pockets, last time I washed a tenner.
left a tissue in my pocketto anyone · everydayforgot a paper tissue in some clothes, so white bits now cover the loadI left a tissue in my pocket and now my black jeans are covered in white bits.
check the labelto anyone · everydaylook at the small tag inside clothes that says how to clean themCheck the label before you tumble-dry that jumper.
delicatesto anyone · everydaygentle machine setting for thin clothes that tear or stretch easilyPut the silk top on delicates, not the normal setting.
turn it inside outto anyone · everydayput the inner side of an item on the outside before washing itTurn it inside out first so the print doesn't fade.
get a stain outto anyone · everydayremove a dirty mark from clothAny idea how to get a stain out of a white shirt?
come out in the washto anyone · everydayof a mark: go away when the item goes through the machineIt's only mud, it'll come out in the wash.
the washing's doneto anyone · everydaythe machine has stopped and the clothes are ready to take outThe washing's done, can someone help me hang it up?
everything's gone pinkto friends · casualpale clothes are now light red because a red item leaked dyeWho put a red sock in? Everything's gone pink!
airing cupboardto anyone · everydaywarm cupboard around the hot water tank where towels and sheets are keptPut the towels in the airing cupboard, they'll be dry by tonight.
give it an airingto anyone · everydayleave clothes out in fresh air to freshen them upThe coat doesn't need washing, just give it an airing on the balcony.
fluffto anyone · everydaytiny soft bits of thread that come off clothes in the machineCan you empty the fluff out of the dryer filter? It's packed.in 12 videos
soaking wetto anyone · everydaycompletely wet, all the way throughThe machine didn't spin, so everything came out soaking wet.in 3 videos
duvet coverto anyone · everydaythe washable cloth case that goes over the thick quilt on a bedGetting the duvet cover back on is the worst bit of changing the bed.
clothes horseto anyone · everydaya folding frame you hang wet clothes on indoors to dryStick your jeans on the clothes horse by the window.
wring outto anyone · everydaytwist something wet hard to squeeze the water outWring it out over the bath before you hang it up.
beddingto anyone · everydaythe sheets, duvet cover and pillowcases on a bedI'm doing a hot wash for the bedding, have you got anything to go in?
do the washingto anyone · everydaywash your dirty clothes and sheetsI have to do the washing tonight, I've got no clean socks left.
put a wash onto anyone · everydaystart the machine that cleans clothesGot anything that needs washing? I'm about to put a wash on.
hang the washing outto anyone · everydayput wet clothes on a line outside to dryIt's actually sunny, I'm going to hang the washing out.
airerto anyone · everydaya folding frame you hang wet clothes on indoors to dryThe airer takes up half the living room all winter.
do the ironingto anyone · everydaypress clothes flat with a hot tool to get the creases outI'll do the ironing while I watch telly.

Bins and recycling

74 words and phrases · 03/04

bring the bins into anyone · everydaymove the big outdoor waste containers back off the street after pickupCan you bring the bins in when you get home? They've been out since Tuesday.
do the binsto friends · casualtake the rubbish bags out and put the big containers out for pickupI'll do the bins tonight if you sort the washing-up.
whose turn is it to do the bins?to friends · everydayasking who at home has the rubbish job this timeWhose turn is it to do the bins? I did them last week and the week before.
take the rubbish outto anyone · everydaycarry the full bag of kitchen waste outside to the big containerI'll take the rubbish out on my way to the Tube.
empty the binto anyone · everydaytake the full bag out of a waste container and put in a new oneCan someone empty the bin? It's starting to smell in here.
wheelie binto anyone · everydaya big plastic container on wheels for household waste, kept outsideOur wheelie bin's gone missing again, I reckon next door took it by mistake.

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chuck it in the binto friends · casualput something in the rubbishThat pizza box is no good for recycling, just chuck it in the bin.
get rid ofto anyone · everydayremove something you no longer want, by throwing it out or giving it awayWe need to get rid of that old sofa before the new one turns up.in 227 videos
does this go in the recycling?to anyone · everydayasking if an item can go out with the paper, plastic and glassDoes this go in the recycling, or is it too greasy?
sort the recyclingto anyone · everydayput each kind of used paper, plastic or glass into the right containerI spent ages sorting the recycling because someone just threw it all in one bag.
rinse outto anyone · everydayquickly wash the inside with water, like a jar before you recycle itRinse out the jars first, or the whole kitchen will smell.in 1 video
flatten the boxesto anyone · everydaypress empty cardboard packaging down so it takes up less spaceCan you flatten the boxes from the delivery? There's no room left in the recycling.
tinto anyone · everydaya metal container that food like beans or soup comes inTins and glass go in the same box round here.in 31 videos
soft plasticsto anyone · everydaythin bendy plastic wrapping, like crisp packets and carrier bagsSoft plastics can't go in our bin, you have to take them back to the supermarket.
bottle bankto anyone · everydaya big public container for empty glass bottles and jarsI'll drop the wine bottles at the bottle bank when I do the big shop.
general wasteto anyone · everydayhousehold rubbish that can't be recycled or compostedCrisp packets go in general waste in our borough.
food wasteto anyone · everydayfood scraps and peelings, picked up apart from other rubbishFood waste goes every week, but the black bags are only every other week now.in 7 videos
food waste caddyto anyone · everydaya small box with a lid for kitchen scraps, emptied into a bigger one outsidePut the peelings in the food waste caddy, not the black bag.
caddy linerto anyone · everydaya thin bag that breaks down naturally, used inside the small kitchen scraps boxWe've run out of caddy liners, so I've used a bit of newspaper.
bin mento anyone · everydaythe workers who come to empty the outdoor rubbish containersThe bin men came at six and woke up the whole street.
bin lorryto anyone · everydaythe big truck that collects household rubbishSorry, I'm stuck behind the bin lorry, be there in five.
the councilto anyone · everydaythe local government that runs services like rubbish pickup in your areaI've emailed the council three times and they still haven't sent a new bin.in 6 videos
fortnightlyto anyone · everydayonce every two weeksOur black bin only goes fortnightly now, so it's always full.in 3 videos
missed collectionto anyone · everydaya time the workers did not come to empty your bins on the usual dayI've reported a missed collection online, they said give it two working days.
they've missed usto anyone · everydaythe rubbish collectors did not come to empty our containersThey've missed us again, every bin on the road is still full.
report it to the councilto anyone · everydayofficially tell your local government about a problem, like bins not emptiedIf that mattress is still there tomorrow, I'll report it to the council.
get onto the councilto friends · casualcontact your local government to complain or push them to actCan you get onto the council about the fridge outside? It's been there a week.
they won't take itto anyone · everydaythe collectors refuse to pick it up, often because the wrong things are insideDon't put food in the recycling, they won't take it.
overflowingto anyone · everydayso full that things are falling out of the topThe bins on our estate have been overflowing all week.in 10 videos
rammedto friends · casualcompletely full, with no space leftThe recycling's rammed, there's no room for this box.
squash it downto friends · casualpress hard so more fits insideIf you squash it down a bit, the lid should close.
the lid won't shutto anyone · everydaythe top can't close because there's too much insideThe lid won't shut, can you take this bag down to the big bins?
stinkto friends · casualhave a very bad smellThe food caddy stinks, when did anyone last empty it?in 30 videos
bin juiceto friends · casualthe smelly liquid that collects at the bottom of a rubbish containerThere's bin juice all over the kitchen floor, the bag must have a hole.
the bag's splitto anyone · everydaythe plastic rubbish sack has broken openThe bag's split on the stairs and there's rubbish everywhere.
maggotsto anyone · everydaysmall white baby flies that grow in rotting foodIt's been so hot there are maggots in the food bin.in 4 videos
foxes have got into the binsto friends · casualfoxes ripped open the rubbish bags, usually in the nightFoxes have got into the bins again, there's rubbish all down the path.
fly-tippingto anyone · everydayleaving rubbish illegally in the street or on public landThere's loads of fly-tipping down the alley behind the shops.
the tipto friends · casualthe big local site where you take large or extra rubbish yourselfI'm going to the tip on Saturday if you've got anything to go.
tip runto friends · casuala car trip to drop off big unwanted things at the local waste siteCan I borrow your car for a tip run? I've got the old shelves to shift.
bulky waste collectionto anyone · everydaya council service, often paid, that picks up big things like sofas and fridgesA bulky waste collection is about thirty quid, still cheaper than a van.
skipto anyone · everydaya big open metal container left on the street for building rubbishNumber twelve have got a skip outside, ask if we can put the old door in.
free to a good hometo anyone · everydaygiven away at no cost to anyone who wants itJust put the chair outside with a free to a good home sign, it'll go in an hour.
bin storeto anyone · everydaythe shared space at a block of flats where everyone's rubbish containers are keptThe bin store's a state again, someone's left an old telly in there.
communal binsto anyone · everydaylarge containers that everyone in a building or street usesWe haven't got our own bins, we use the communal bins round the back.
the bins are a day lateto anyone · everydayrubbish pickup is one day later than normal, often after a public holidayIt was bank holiday Monday, so the bins are a day late this week.
bin striketo anyone · everydaya time when rubbish workers stop work, so nothing gets picked upDuring the bin strike the bags were piled up past the lamp posts.
landfillto anyone · everydaya big hole in the ground where rubbish is buriedHalf of it probably ends up in landfill anyway.in 14 videos
recycling binto anyone · everydaythe container for paper, cans, glass and plastic that can be made into new thingsDoes this go in the recycling bin or the normal one?in 2 videos
garden wasteto anyone · everydaygrass, leaves and branches from a garden, often picked up for a yearly feeWe don't pay for garden waste, so I take the hedge cuttings to the tip.
compostto anyone · everydayrotted plant and food scraps used to feed soilMy mum puts all her veg peelings on the compost.in 6 videos
which bin does this go in?to anyone · everydayasking where a particular item should be thrown awayWhich bin does this go in? It's half plastic, half cardboard.
is this recyclable?to anyone · everydayasking whether an item can be made into something new after useIs this recyclable, or is it that shiny paper they won't take?
have the bins been?to friends · casualasking if the collectors have come and emptied the containers yetHave the bins been yet? I haven't heard the lorry.
miss bin dayto friends · casualnot put the bins out in time for the usual pickupWe missed bin day, so the bags are piling up on the balcony.
is it recycling this week?to friends · casualasking which kind of rubbish gets picked up next timeIs it recycling this week or the black bin?
boroughto anyone · everydayone of the 32 local areas London is split into, each with its own councilEvery borough has different bin rules, it's so confusing when you move.in 9 videos
refuse collectionto anyone · formalthe official name for picking up household rubbishThe council letter says refuse collection is moving to Mondays.
litterto anyone · everydaysmall bits of rubbish dropped in public placesThe park's covered in litter every Monday after a sunny weekend.in 16 videos
rubbish chuteto anyone · everydayan opening in a block of flats that you drop rubbish bags downThe rubbish chute on our floor is blocked again.
throw awayto anyone · everydayput something in the bin because you no longer want itI can't believe how much food we throw away every week.in 52 videos
kerbto anyone · everydaythe edge of the pavement next to the roadLeave the bags on the kerb, not in front of the gate.
emptiesto friends · casualused bottles and cans with nothing left in themThere's a whole bag of empties from Saturday that needs to go out.in 3 videos
dumpto anyone · everydayleave unwanted stuff somewhere it shouldn't be, like the streetSomeone's dumped an old mattress outside our block again.in 93 videos
recycleto anyone · everydaysort used paper, glass, tins and plastic so they can be made into new thingsWe try to recycle everything we can, but the rules keep changing.in 58 videos
pedal binto anyone · everydaya kitchen container with a lid you open by stepping on a leverThe pedal bin's broken, the lid won't stay up any more.
take the bins outto anyone · everydaycarry the rubbish outside so it can be collectedCan you take the bins out? They come first thing tomorrow.
bin dayto anyone · everydaythe day of the week when the council collects the rubbishOh no, I forgot it was bin day again.
bin bagto anyone · everydaya large plastic sack for rubbishWe're down to the last bin bag, can you get some more?
bin itto friends · casualthrow something awayThat sponge is disgusting, just bin it.
binto anyone · everydaythe container you throw unwanted things intoDon't put that in the bin, it goes in the recycling.in 77 videos
the recyclingto anyone · everydayempty bottles, cans, paper and boxes kept apart to be used againCan you flatten the boxes before they go in the recycling?in 34 videos
rubbishto anyone · everydaythings you throw away because you no longer want themLeave the rubbish by the door and I'll take it down later.in 22 videos
chuck outto friends · casualthrow away something you no longer wantI chucked out loads of old clothes this weekend.

Home, flat and bills

125 words and phrases · 04/04

flatto anyone · everydaya home on one floor of a bigger buildingI love our flat, but the kitchen's the size of a cupboard.in 318 videos
flatmateto anyone · everydaysomeone you share a rented home with who isn't family or a partnerMy flatmate leaves her dishes in the sink for days.
flat shareto anyone · everydaya rented home where several people each have a bedroom and use the kitchen togetherI'm in a five-person flat share in Peckham, so there's always a queue for the shower.
studio flatto anyone · everydaya small home where you sleep, cook and relax in one main roomI'd rather pay a bit more for a studio flat than share a kitchen again.in 5 videos
flat-huntingto anyone · everydaysearching for a new place to liveWe've been flat-hunting for a month and anything decent goes in a day.in 2 videos
viewingto anyone · everydaya visit to look round a home before you rent or buy itThere were twenty people at the viewing, it was like a queue for a club.

Show all 125Show fewer119 more · 61 with moments

landlordto anyone · everydaythe person who owns the home you rentI've messaged the landlord about the shower three times now.in 16 videos
letting agentto anyone · everydaya company that finds renters and looks after rented homes for the ownerThe letting agent wants six weeks' rent up front before we can even sign.
estate agentto anyone · everydaya company that sells homes, and often rents them out tooThe estate agent kept calling a cupboard a second bedroom.
tenancy agreementto anyone · everydaythe written contract between you and the owner of the home you rentRead the tenancy agreement before you sign, some of them say no pets at all.
lodgerto anyone · everydaysomeone who rents a room in a home where the owner also livesShe's taken in a lodger to help pay the mortgage.
guarantorto anyone · everydaya person who promises to pay your rent if you can'tI've got no one here to be my guarantor, so they want six months up front.in 1 video
get your deposit backto anyone · everydayreceive back the money you paid at the start of renting, after you leaveTake photos of everything on day one or you'll never get your deposit back.
move into anyone · everydaystart living in a new homeMy boyfriend's moving in at the end of the month.in 182 videos
move outto anyone · everydayleave your home for good and stop living thereJess is moving out in June, so we need someone for her room.in 62 videos
give noticeto anyone · everydaytell the owner or agent officially that you will leave by a set dateI gave notice last week, so I've got a month to find somewhere.
kick outto friends · casualforce someone to leave the place they liveThe landlord wants to kick us out so he can rent it for more.in 40 videos
sell upto anyone · everydaysell a property you own, usually to move on or stop renting it outOur landlord's selling up, so we've got two months to find somewhere.
put the rent upto anyone · everydaymake the monthly payment for a home higherThey've put the rent up again, that's the third time in two years.
pcmto anyone · everydayfor each month, written after a rent price in adsIt's fourteen hundred pcm for a one-bed, which is cheap for round here.
bills includedto anyone · everydaythe price already covers gas, power, water and internetIt's a bit more, but it's bills included, so no nasty surprises in winter.
split the billsto friends · everydayeach person pays an equal part of the home costsWe just split the bills evenly, even though Tom's in all day.
single person discountto anyone · everydaya quarter off the local council's home tax when you live aloneSince Sam moved out, I can finally get the single person discount.
energy billto anyone · everydaywhat you pay a company for the gas and power you use at homeOur energy bill's nearly doubled since last winter.
the electricto friends · casualthe power supply in a home, or the bill for itIs the electric off everywhere or is it just my room?
meter readingto anyone · everydaythe numbers on your gas or power counter, sent to the supplierCan someone send a meter reading before we hand the keys back?
smart meterto anyone · everydaya counter for gas and power that sends your use to the supplier by itselfThe smart meter says we've already used four quid today.
top up the meterto anyone · everydaypay in advance for gas or power before you use itI need to top up the meter or we'll be sitting in the dark.
direct debitto anyone · everydaya regular payment that a company takes from your bank account by itselfThe broadband comes out by direct debit on the fifth.
standing orderto anyone · everydaya fixed regular payment you tell your bank to send to someoneI pay the rent by standing order on the first of the month.
switch supplierto anyone · everydaymove to a different company for your gas, power or internetWe switched supplier and saved about twenty quid a month.
broadbandto anyone · everydaythe internet service in a homeOur broadband contract's up, so I'm going to shop around.in 9 videos
the wifi's downto anyone · everydaythe home connection to the web has stopped workingThe wifi's down again and I've got a work call at nine.
TV licenceto anyone · everydaya yearly fee you must pay by law to watch live TV or BBC iPlayerDo we even need a TV licence if we only watch Netflix?
boilerto anyone · everydaythe machine that heats the water and the radiators in a homeThe boiler's making that banging noise again.in 9 videos
on the blinkto friends · casualnot working properly, stopping and startingThe fridge has been on the blink all week.
no hot waterto anyone · everydaythe taps and shower only run coldWe've had no hot water since Friday and the agent isn't answering.in 1 video
put the heating onto anyone · everydaystart up the system that warms the homeIt's only October, I'm not putting the heating on yet.
stick a jumper onto friends · casualwear an extra warm top instead of using more heatIf you're cold, stick a jumper on, have you seen the bills?
bleed the radiatorsto anyone · everydaylet trapped air out of the wall heaters so they get hot all overCan you bleed the radiators this weekend? Mine's only warm at the bottom.
dampto anyone · everydaywater in walls or ceilings that leaves wet marks and a bad smellThere's damp coming through behind the wardrobe again.in 20 videos
condensationto anyone · everydaydrops of water that form on cold windows and wallsOpen a window when you cook, the condensation in here is terrible.in 10 videos
draughtyto anyone · everydayletting cold air in through gaps around windows and doorsThese old sash windows are so draughty.
leakto anyone · everydaywater coming through a hole or crack where it shouldn'tThere's a leak from the flat upstairs dripping into our kitchen.in 112 videos
blockedto anyone · everydaystopped up, so water can't drain awayThe kitchen sink's blocked again, has someone been pouring oil down it?
tapto anyone · everydaythe thing you turn to get water at a sink or bathThe bathroom tap's been dripping all night.in 185 videos
trip the electricsto anyone · everydaymake the power in the home switch off by itself for safetyEvery time the kettle and the toaster are on together, it trips the electrics.
get someone roundto anyone · everydayarrange for a worker to come to your home to fix somethingThe agent says they'll get someone round on Tuesday, sometime between eight and six.
gas engineerto anyone · everydaya trained worker allowed by law to fix boilers and gas cookersThe gas engineer's coming tomorrow for the yearly check.
fob offto friends · casualgive someone excuses instead of dealing with their problemThey keep fobbing off every complaint we make.in 1 video
dodgyto friends · casualbadly done or unsafe, so it might go wrongThe wiring in this place looks well dodgy.in 2 videos
a tipto friends · casuala very messy room or homeThe kitchen's a tip, whose turn is it to clean?
box roomto anyone · everydaya very small extra bedroomThe box room's cheaper, but you can barely fit a single bed in it.
en suiteto anyone · everydaya private bathroom that opens off a bedroomThe big room's got an en suite, so it's an extra hundred a month.
double roomto anyone · everydaya bedroom big enough for a bed for two peopleIt's a double room in a three-bed, eleven hundred all in.
paper-thin wallsto anyone · everydaywalls that let you hear every sound from the next room or homeThe walls are paper thin, I can hear next door's telly word for word.
we've got miceto anyone · everydaysmall furry pests are living in the homeWe've got mice again, I saw one run behind the cooker.in 2 videos
lock yourself outto anyone · everydaybe stuck outside because your keys are inside or lostI've locked myself out, are you home yet?
buzz someone into anyone · everydaypress the button that opens the main door for a visitorI'm downstairs, can you buzz me in?in 1 video
get a key cutto anyone · everydaypay a shop to make a copy of your door keyI'll get a key cut for you so you're not waiting on the doorstep.
have people roundto anyone · everydayinvite guests to your homeIs it alright if I have a few people round on Saturday?in 5 videos
nickto friends · casualtake something without askingSomeone keeps nicking my oat milk from the fridge.in 89 videos
loo rollto friends · casualthe soft paper kept in the bathroom for wipingWe're out of loo roll again, can you grab some on the way home?
extortionateto anyone · everydayfar too expensiveRents round here are extortionate now.in 1 video
pay through the noseto friends · casualspend far too much money on somethingWe're paying through the nose for a flat with no proper heating.
cost of livingto anyone · everydayhow much money you need for basics like rent, food and heatingWith the cost of living, nobody's putting the heating on before November.in 14 videos
two-bedto anyone · everydayhaving two rooms for sleepingWe're after a two-bed near the Overground, two grand a month max.in 6 videos
ground floorto anyone · everydaythe level of a building at street heightIt's a ground floor flat, so it's a bit dark but there are no stairs.in 13 videos
first floorto anyone · everydaythe level one up from the streetI'm on the first floor, right above the chicken shop.
council flatto anyone · everydaya low-cost home rented from the local governmentShe grew up in a council flat just behind the market.
rentto anyone · everydaythe money you pay each month to live in a home you don't ownRent's due on the first and I'm already skint.in 100 videos
daylight robberyto friends · casuala price so high it feels like being cheatedEleven hundred for a box room? That's daylight robbery.
taking the pissto friends · rudeasking far too much or treating you unfairly, so it feels like a jokeCharging us for a new carpet after five years? They're taking the piss.
behind on the rentto anyone · everydaylate with your monthly home payments, so you owe moneyHe's two months behind on the rent and the agent's started calling.in 1 video
depositto anyone · everydaymoney paid at the start of renting, returned when you leave if nothing is damagedThey're trying to keep half my deposit for a tiny mark on the wall.in 78 videos
wear and tearto anyone · everydaythe normal damage things get from everyday use over timeA worn carpet after three years is just wear and tear, they can't charge for that.in 16 videos
man with a vanto anyone · everydaysomeone you hire, with their own vehicle, to move your thingsI've booked a man with a van for Sunday, it's way cheaper than a removal firm.
no-fault evictionto anyone · everydaybeing told to leave a rented home without the owner giving any reasonShe got a no-fault eviction a week after she complained about the mould.
lose pressureto anyone · everydaywhen a boiler's water force drops too low and it stops workingThe boiler keeps losing pressure, I have to top it up every week.
playing upto friends · casualworking badly or not the way it should, about a machineThe heating's playing up again, it only comes on when it feels like it.
double glazingto anyone · everydaywindows with two layers of glass that keep heat in and noise outThe new flat's got double glazing, so it's actually warm for once.
power cutto anyone · everydaya time when the electricity stops in a building or areaThere was a power cut on our street and everything in the freezer melted.in 3 videos
fuse boxto anyone · everydaythe box on the wall with switches that control the power in a homeThe lights have all gone, can you check the fuse box?
plug socketto anyone · everydaythe place in the wall where you connect things to get powerThere's no plug socket by the bed, so I charge my phone in the kitchen.in 22 videos
sort it outto anyone · everydaydeal with a problem until it is fixedThe agent says they'll get it sorted by Friday, but I'll believe it when I see it.in 2 videos
price capto anyone · everydaythe most energy firms are allowed to charge for each unit of gas and powerOur bills are going up again when the price cap changes in January.
turn the heating upto friends · casualmake the home warmer by setting the dial higherWho's turned the heating up? Do you know what the bill's going to be?
move houseto anyone · everydaygo to live in a different home and take all your thingsWe're moving house next month, so it's boxes everywhere.
terraced houseto anyone · everydaya house joined to the ones on both sides in a long rowThey've split the old terraced house into three flats.
tower blockto anyone · everydaya very tall building with lots of flats in itI'm on the fourteenth floor of a tower block, great view but the lift's always broken.
noisy neighboursto anyone · everydaypeople living next door, above or below who make a lot of soundNoisy neighbours again, they had music on till three.in 1 video
take in a parcelto anyone · everydayaccept a delivery at the door for someone who is outCould you take in a parcel for me? I'm out all day.
the postto anyone · everydaythe letters and packets delivered to your home each dayHas the post come yet? I'm waiting for my new bank card.in 66 videos
spare roomto anyone · everydayan extra bedroom kept free for guests or used for storageYou can stay in the spare room, it's mostly boxes but the bed's comfy.in 4 videos
the bulb's goneto friends · everydaythe light in a lamp has stopped working and needs changingThe bulb's gone in the bathroom, have we got any spares?
extension leadto friends · everydaya long cable with several sockets so you can plug in more thingsThere's one socket in my room, so it's extension leads everywhere.
get on the property ladderto anyone · everydaybuy your first homeWith London prices, I'll never get on the property ladder.
on the latchto friends · everydayclosed but not locked, so it can be pushed open from outsideI'll leave the door on the latch, just come up.
settle into anyone · everydayget used to a new home and start to feel comfortableHow are you settling in at the new place?in 26 videos
flat-packto friends · casualfurniture sold in pieces in a box that you build yourselfI spent all Sunday building flat-pack wardrobes.
DIYto friends · everydayfixing, building or painting things at home on your own instead of paying someoneMy landlord's idea of a repair is a bit of DIY with gaffer tape.in 22 videos
gardento anyone · everydaythe outdoor space behind or in front of a home, with grass or plantsThe ground-floor flat comes with a little garden, which is rare round here.in 99 videos
sparkyto friends · casualan electricianThe landlord's sending a sparky round to look at the sockets.
cowboy builderto friends · casuala worker who does bad, cheap or dishonest building or repair workWhoever put this shower in was a right cowboy, it leaks every time.
plus billsto anyone · everydaywith gas, power, water and internet costs paid on top of the rentIt's 950 a month plus bills, so more like 1,100 really.
council estateto anyone · everydaya group of homes, often blocks of flats, rented out by the local governmentI grew up on an estate in Hackney, and it's all fancy flats round there now.in 1 video
loftto family · everydaythe space under the roof of a house, used for storageAll the Christmas stuff's up in the loft.in 10 videos
new buildto anyone · everydaya home built in the last few yearsIt's a new build, so the walls are thin but the heating's great.in 3 videos
semi-detachedto anyone · everydaya house joined to one other house on one sideThey've moved out to a semi in Bromley with a little garden.in 32 videos
switch it off at the wallto friends · everydayturn the power off at the socket itself, not just on the deviceCan you switch the straighteners off at the wall before you leave?
subletto friends · everydaylet someone else live in the room or home you rent for a whileI'm away for the summer, so I'm subletting my room to a mate.
furnishedto anyone · everydayrented with beds, sofa and tables already in itIt's furnished, so I just need to bring my clothes and a duvet.in 4 videos
keep it downto friends · casualbe quieterCould you keep it down a bit? I've got an early start.in 4 videos
stay overto friends · casualsleep at someone's home for the nightIs it alright if my boyfriend stays over on Friday?in 11 videos
go through the roofto anyone · casualrise very high very fast, about prices or billsOur energy bill's gone through the roof since the heating went on.in 16 videos
get a quoteto anyone · everydayask a worker how much a job will cost before they startLet's get some quotes before anyone touches the boiler.in 1 video
up-and-comingto anyone · everydaybecoming popular and more expensive, about a part of townThe agent kept saying it's up-and-coming, which means there's nothing round here yet.
letterboxto anyone · everydaythe slot in a front door where mail is pushed throughJust put the keys through the letterbox when you leave.
the billsto friends · everydaythe money you pay for gas, power, water and internet at homeThe rent's fine, it's the bills that kill me in winter.in 10 videos
prepayment meterto anyone · everydaya gas or power counter you pay money into before you use the energyWe're on a prepayment meter, so the heating goes off when the credit runs out.
rogue landlordto anyone · everydayan owner who breaks the rules and treats renters badlyThe council's finally fining rogue landlords who ignore damp and mould.
next doorto anyone · everydaythe people living in the home beside yoursYour parcel's been left with next door.in 46 videos
postcodeto anyone · everydaythe short mix of letters and numbers at the end of an addressText me your postcode and I'll put it in the map.in 2 videos
settle upto friends · casualpay each other what you owe after sharing costsI paid the electric this month, so let's settle up at the weekend.
council taxto anyone · everydaythe yearly local charge each home pays for services like rubbish pickupWhat are we paying council tax for if they can't even empty the bins?

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Daily

5, 10 or 20 new a day, reviews first

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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 364 for housework, laundry, bins and the flat.
Licence: Talk shares this list under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Meanings and examples: Written by Talk in plain English.

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