Learning a language is more than just mastering grammar and vocabulary—it’s about understanding how people actually speak.
American English , in particular, is packed with slang that native speakers use in everyday conversations, pop culture, and social media. If you want to sound more natural and understand casual speech, getting familiar with slang is a must!
To help you navigate informal American English , we’ve put together a list of 25 essential slang words and phrases. These are words you’ll hear in movies , TV shows, and real-life conversations. Let’s dive in!
1. Ace (verb) To ace something means to perform exceptionally well, often in an exam , test, or challenging situation.
This term is commonly used by students when referring to getting a high grade on a test, but it can also apply to other activities, such as acing a job interview or a sports competition.
When you "ace" something, it means you didn’t just pass—it means you did it with flying colors and impressed others with your performance.
Example: "I was so nervous about my math test, but after studying all night, I totally aced it and got a perfect score!"
2. Buck (noun) A "buck" is a casual way to refer to a dollar in the United States. Instead of saying "one dollar," native speakers often say "a buck."
This common American slang is extremely prevalent in everyday speech and can be used to refer to small amounts of money.
Example: "This coffee only cost me two bucks, which is a great deal compared to the fancy café downtown!"
3. BYOB (acronym) Short for "Bring Your Own Booze" (or "Bring Your Own Beer"), this phrase is often used in American culture for parties, barbecues , or social gatherings where guests are expected to bring their own alcoholic beverages.
It's a common acronym that English learners should know, most likely to be seen written on invitations or heard spoken aloud when discussing upcoming plans.
Example: "Hey, we’re throwing a little party at my place this weekend—it’s BYOB, so bring whatever you like to drink!"
4. Couch Potato (noun) A "couch potato" is someone who spends an excessive amount of time sitting and watching TV, often with minimal physical activity.
This term is often used humorously to describe someone who prefers lounging on the couch over being active or going outside.
Example: "You’ve been a total couch potato all weekend, binge-watching that new TV series. Let’s go for a walk and get some fresh air!"
5. Cut It Out (idiom) "Cut it out" is a direct and informal way to tell someone to stop doing something annoying or disruptive.
It’s often used between friends, siblings , or coworkers when someone is being bothersome or making too much noise.
Example: "Cut it out! You keep tapping your pen on the table, and it’s driving me crazy!"
6. Dead (adjective) When a place is "dead," it means it is empty, quiet, or lacking energy.
This current slang is frequently used to describe bars, restaurants, clubs, or events that don’t have many people in attendance.
Example: "Let’s go somewhere else. This bar is completely dead tonight—there’s hardly anyone here!"
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7. Flake (noun/verb) A "flake" is someone who is unreliable and frequently cancels plans at the last minute.
The verb "to flake" means to cancel an event or not show up as expected, often leaving others disappointed.
Example: "I wouldn’t invite Jake to the party. He always flakes on plans at the last second, and we never know if he’ll actually show up!"
8. Give the Cold Shoulder (idiom) To "give someone the cold shoulder" means to ignore them intentionally, often as a way of expressing anger or disappointment.
Although its literal meaning doesn't make much sense, this idiom can be used when someone stops talking to another person after a disagreement or a perceived offense.
Example: "Ever since our argument last week, she has been giving me the cold shoulder and refusing to answer my texts."
9. Get Under One’s Skin (idiom) If something or someone "gets under your skin," it means they are irritating or bothering you persistently.
This phrase is used by English speakers to convey a sense of frustration caused by an ongoing annoyance.
Example: "My noisy neighbors are really getting under my skin. They blast music every night, and I can’t get any sleep!"
10. In the Loop (idiom) To be "in the loop" is one of our popular American slang phrases, meaning to be informed about something, especially important decisions or events.
If someone says they are "out of the loop," it means they have not been updated on a situation.
Example: "Make sure to keep me in the loop about the new project updates."
11. Jacked (adjective) If someone is "jacked," it means they are extremely muscular or physically strong. This term is commonly used in fitness and bodybuilding circles.
Example: "Have you seen Jake lately? He’s been hitting the gym hard—he’s totally jacked now!"
12. Jonesing (verb) To "jones" for something means to crave or desire it intensely.
It originally came from slang used for drug addiction but is now commonly used in everyday conversation to refer to any strong desire.
Example: "I’m totally jonesing for a slice of pizza right now!"
13. Lighten Up (phrasal verb) To "lighten up" means to relax, stop being so serious, or take things less personally. It is often said when someone is being overly tense or dramatic.
This phrase encourages a more easygoing attitude.
Example: "You need to lighten up! It’s just a joke, don’t take it so seriously."
14. Once in a Blue Moon (idiom) If something happens "once in a blue moon," it means it is extremely rare or infrequent.
The phrase originates from the rare occurrence of two full moons in one calendar month, which is called a "blue moon."
Example: "I only eat fast food once in a blue moon because I try to stay healthy."
15. Piece of Cake (idiom) Something that is a "piece of cake" is extremely easy to do.
This food idiom is one of our favorite American slang terms, often used to describe simple tasks or assignments that require minimal effort.
Example: "That test was a piece of cake! I finished it in just ten minutes."
16. Screw Up (verb) To "screw up" means to make a mistake or fail at something. It is often used in informal settings to describe an error in work or personal situations.
Example: "I really screwed up my presentation—I forgot half of my key points."
17. Spill the Beans (idiom) To "spill the beans" means to accidentally reveal a secret or confidential information. It suggests that someone unintentionally let out something they were supposed to keep private.
Example: "She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party, so now he knows!"
18. Take a Rain Check (idiom) To "take a rain check" means to decline an invitation but express interest in rescheduling for another time.
This phrase originated from baseball, where a ticket holder could receive a "rain check" if a game was postponed due to rain.
Example: "I can’t go out tonight, but can I take a rain check for next weekend?"
19. Trash (verb) To "trash" something means to destroy or ruin it, either physically or metaphorically. It can refer to making a mess of a place or completely criticizing something.
Example: "They trashed the hotel room after the party, and now they have to pay for damages."
20. Under the Weather (idiom) If someone is "under the weather," it means they are feeling sick or unwell.
This phrase is commonly used in the English language to express mild illness without specifying details.
Example: "I won’t be coming to work today—I’m feeling under the weather."
21. Wrap Up (phrasal verb) To "wrap up" something means to finish it, whether it’s a project, a meeting, or an event.
It’s a phrasal verb often used in workplaces to indicate the conclusion of discussions or activities.
Example: "Let’s wrap up this meeting so we can all go home."
Here are four more entries to continue the alphabetical order after "Wrap Up":
22. YOLO (acronym) Short for "You Only Live Once," this phrase is often used to justify taking risks, trying new things, or making impulsive decisions.
It became especially popular in the early 2010s and is still used today in casual conversations.
Example: "I wasn’t sure about going on the roller coaster, but then I thought—YOLO! So I did it."
23. Zone Out (phrasal verb) To "zone out" means to become distracted, lost in thought, or mentally disconnected from what is happening around you.
This can happen when someone is bored, tired, or simply deep in thought.
Example: "I completely zoned out during that long meeting and missed half of what was said."
24. Zip It (idiom) A direct way of telling someone to stop talking, usually in a firm or slightly humorous manner.
It’s often used among friends or in situations where someone is being too talkative or revealing too much information.
Example: "Okay, zip it! You’re talking way too much about this surprise party."
25. Zonked (adjective) If someone is "zonked," they are extremely exhausted or tired. This term is often used to describe someone who has had a long day or little sleep.
Example: "I only got three hours of sleep last night—I’m completely zonked."
Master American Slang with BoldVoice Understanding slang isn’t just about learning new words—it’s about speaking English with confidence and ease.
When you grasp these everyday expressions, you’ll connect with native speakers more naturally, navigate conversations effortlessly, and feel more at home in English-speaking environments. Whether you're watching your favorite TV shows, chatting with colleagues, or making new friends, slang helps you sound more fluent and engaged.
Ready to take your English skills to the next level? With the BoldVoice app, you’ll get expert pronunciation training , AI-powered feedback , and guided exercises designed to help you perfect your American accent .
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