British


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Related to British: British accent

the best of British (luck)

A wish for good luck, used especially when it is believed that there is not much chance for success or a positive outcome. Primarily heard in UK. You want to play for Man U one day? The best of British! I don't think he'll succeed, but I wish him the best of British luck.
See also: best, British, of

the British are coming

cliché Used as a humorous way of announcing the arrival of British people, businesses, commodities, etc., typically in the headlines of news articles. Commonly but erroneously attributed to Paul Revere, a Patriot in the American Revolution who is said to have uttered the phrase during his "midnight ride" to warn other patriots as to the movement of British troops. The British are coming, the British are coming! Plans are officially being made for UK's superstar pop band to play a huge tour across North America.
See also: British, coming

the British disease

That which supposedly plagues British people, government, or society. Used especially in reference to an inability or unwillingness to be as productive as possible. The real British disease is not complacency or unrest, but the desire to achieve short-term goals at the cost of investing in long-term, sustainable economic policies.
See also: British, disease
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

the best of British

used to wish someone well in an enterprise, especially when you are almost sure it will be unsuccessful. informal
This phrase is an abbreviation of the best of British luck to you .
See also: best, British, of

the British disease

a problem or failing supposed to be characteristically British, especially (formerly) a proneness to industrial unrest. informal
See also: British, disease
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in classic literature ?
"The chair," proceeded Grandfather, "was now continually occupied by some of the high tories, as the king's friends were called, who frequented the British Coffee House.
"Well, frequently, no doubt, the officers of the British regiments, when not on duty, used to fling themselves into the arms of our venerable chair.
"It certainly was little less than sacrilege," replied Grandfather; "but the time was coming when even the churches, where hallowed pastors had long preached the word of God, were to be torn down or desecrated by the British troops.
"Now, children," said Grandfather, "I wish to make you comprehend the position of the British troops in King Street.
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After dark that night he circled the flanks of both armies and passed through the British out-guards and into the British lines.
The officers were discussing the advantage in numbers possessed by the enemy and the inability of the British to more than hold their present position.
"Is it more difficult than entering the British lines?" asked Tarzan.
Some officer he had known in London, doubtless, he surmised, and went his way through the British camp and the British lines all unknown to the watchful sentinels of the out-guard.
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Clayton asked no questions--he did not need to--and the following day, as the great lines of a British battleship grew out of the distant horizon, he half determined to demand that he and Lady Alice be put aboard her, for his fears were steadily increasing that nothing but harm could result from remaining on the lowering, sullen Fuwalda.
Toward noon they were within speaking distance of the British vessel, but when Clayton had nearly decided to ask the captain to put them aboard her, the obvious ridiculousness of such a request became suddenly apparent.
John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, did not ask to be transferred to the British man-of-war.
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"Will not your Excellency order out the guard?" whispered Lord Percy, who, with other British officers, had now assembled round the General.
But the British officers deemed that they had seen that military cloak before, and even recognized the frayed embroidery on the collar, as well as the gilded scabbard of a sword which protruded from the folds of the cloak, and glittered in a vivid gleam of light.
As the deep boom of the cannon smote upon his ear, Colonel Joliffe raised himself to the full height of his aged form, and smiled sternly on the British General.
With these words Colonel Joliffe threw on his cloak, and drawing his granddaughter's arm within his own, retired from the last festival that a British ruler ever held in the old province of Massachusetts Bay.
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