20 Love Island English phrases explained

The best Love Island phrases you need to know

Studying English can be tricky. Words can sound the same but not mean the same, have multiple definitions and often a word's meanings can simply change over time. Words we use now often meant something else years before; for example, the word ‘silly’ in the 13th century meant ‘someone to be pitied’ but 300 years later the definition changed to how we know it today. Once a group of people change a word's meaning and it catches on to further regions, that’s when a definition can change. A perfect example of being able to see the English language transform In front of your very eyes is watching culturally relevant TV shows, and one of the best examples is Love Island.

Source: ITV Player

Love Island is a British reality dating show on ITV that has become hugely popular since it started in 2015.

Love Island is very famous for the words and phrases the contestants use, that baffle even people whose first language is English. However, with the show being one of the biggest shows in UK, the result is that these words find their way into public consciousness and eventually become a part of everyday life – so it’s worth knowing them! 

Here are our Top 20 English phrases from watching Love Island.

Sit back, tune in and enjoy!

1. Pied

This expression is used when someone has been dumped by whoever they are dating, usually in an appalling way.

“He has been ignoring me all evening, think I’ve been pied”.

2. Mugged off/Muggy

To be disrespected by somebody – Usually in an embarrassingly public manner.

“I’ve just seen them talking to someone else, I feel mugged off”.

“They have not stop being rude, they’re acting muggy”.

3. Peng sort

To comment on someone’s appearance, in a positive way.

“You’re looking like a real Peng sort tonight mate”.

4. Grafting

To work extra hard to show someone you are interested in them, in a romantic way.

“I feel like I like them, I need to get grafting”.

5. It is what it is

This means that a situation cannot be changed, so you must wait it out or do whatever it is you wanted to do anyway.

“I found out they don’t fancy me; it is what it is”.

6. Putting all my eggs in their basket

This means that you are fully focusing your efforts on one person and are not investing your time in other people.

“I’ve only just met them; I’m not putting all my eggs in their basket just yet”.

7. Melt

This means that someone has a lot of feelings for someone and are willing to come across a fool to prove it.

“I think I like them; I feel like a proper melt”.

8. Girl code

This means to have your girlfriend's back and you stay loyal to them essentially.

“I wouldn’t do that to you because of girl code”.

9. My type on paper

This is what you would use to describe someone who is the ideal / perfect person for you to date.

“They’re so attractive! They’re definitely my type on paper”.

10. Sauce

This is what you would use to describe someone that has confidence and charisma that is unique to themselves.

“Did you see the way they walked in here, they definitely have the sauce”.

11. Crack on

This means getting to know someone in a romantic sense.

“They’re single now, so you’re free to crack on”.

12. Dead ting

This is a UK slang term to describe someone who is not attractive.

“They look rubbish in that outfit, they’re a dead ting”.

13. Can I pull you for a chat?

This means that you want to talk to someone privately to let them know you fancy them or to bring up an issue with them.

“Hey, can I pull you for a chat? I got something to say to you”.

14. Vibes

Means the energy you get off someone when you are getting to know them.

“They’re really great to be with, they give off a good vibe”.

15. Banter

It is a term that describes if someone has a good sense of humour and is good to talk to.

 “I really fancy them; they’ve got the banter which makes them even better”.

16. Where’s your head at?

This is a way to ask someone how they feel about a situation – whether that is how they feel about you in a romantic way or how they feel in a situation they’re in.

“I feel like you haven’t been yourself recently, where’s your head at with this?”.

17. Shoot your shot

It means to take your chance to show someone that you think about them in a romantic way.

“They just told me they like you, you should shoot your shot”.

18. The Ick

This means that there is something about someone that you have noticed that you just do not like.

“They did this thing that was really gross, it gave me the ick”.

19. Factor 50

This means to show someone that you like them but show them a little too much / over the top in doing so.

“They kept complimenting me”.

“I saw they were really laying it factor 50”.

20. Salty

This means to be upset with someone and to behave unfavourably towards that person.

“I don’t see why we can’t be friends, there’s no need to be salty over this”.

We can’t promise you will need to use these phrases often, but you may hear them being spoken casually so they are useful to know nonetheless.

For other TV shows to help improve your English, check out our 5 Netflix series to help improve your English

If you want to learn English and boost your language skills in person, come study at our English school in London! 

https://wimbledon-school.ac.uk/english-courses

Contact us today:

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