The true Brit can keep his head in a crisis.
He faces doom and disaster with a stiff upper lip and doesn't bat an eyelid.
He stands on his own two feet and earns his living by the sweat of his brow (lubricated by a little bit of elbow grease).
Although sometimes he would like to leg it and live in the lap of luxury, he knows it's best to toe the line, knuckle down and work hard.
He knows you shouldn't poke your nose into other people's business.
So, although he is warm-hearted enough, he keeps people at arm's length. Sometimes this secrecy gets too much to bear and he makes a clean breast of it.
But be careful. When he sounds most serious he may be only pulling your leg. He looks straight-faced, but take a closer look - his tongue is firmly in his cheek!
Expressions to learn
I'll foot the bill.
Avoid saying
You're off your head!
He faces doom and disaster with a stiff upper lip and doesn't bat an eyelid.
He stands on his own two feet and earns his living by the sweat of his brow (lubricated by a little bit of elbow grease).
Although sometimes he would like to leg it and live in the lap of luxury, he knows it's best to toe the line, knuckle down and work hard.
He knows you shouldn't poke your nose into other people's business.
So, although he is warm-hearted enough, he keeps people at arm's length. Sometimes this secrecy gets too much to bear and he makes a clean breast of it.
But be careful. When he sounds most serious he may be only pulling your leg. He looks straight-faced, but take a closer look - his tongue is firmly in his cheek!
Expressions to learn
I'll foot the bill.
Avoid saying
You're off your head!