Useful English Word or Phrase to Boost Your English

Bit of a faff

What does it mean?

A faff (or "a bit of a faff") is a perfect British expression for something that is unnecessarily complicated, time-consuming, or disorganized. If you have to fill out ten forms just to get a library card, that’s a faff. It’s used to describe any task that feels like a lot of effort for very little reward.

REAL WORDS.
REAL ENGLISH.
Native UK character with a collection of useful English phrases

Is it positive or negative?

Mildly negative.

When do you use it?

Use it when something feels like extra hassle or unnecessary effort.

Examples

Example 1: Setting it up is a bit of a faff.

Example 2: It is a bit of a faff, but it will be worth it.

Example 3: Filling out all that paperwork was a faff.

NOW MAKE IT YOURS

Question for you

What daily task feels like a bit of a faff?

Try saying your answer aloud, using the expression.

Practise it in a lesson

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