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[0816] Cheers

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

A versatile word primarily used in three ways:

  • 1. A toast made when raising glasses before drinking, expressing good wishes.
  • 2. An informal way of saying thank you (very common in UK, Aus, NZ, SA).
  • 3. An informal way of saying goodbye (common in UK).

Origin

  • Toasting: From Old French chiere (face, countenance), evolving to mean mood or disposition, then specifically good cheer or gladness. Used from medieval times to wish someone health and happiness before drinking.
  • Thank you / Goodbye: These uses evolved later, primarily in British English during the 20th century, as short, cheerful expressions of gratitude or farewell, likely extensions of the general good wishes sense.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • (Toast): Bottoms up!, Here's to...!, To health!, SkÃ¥l! (Scandinavian), Prost! (German), Sláinte! (Irish/Scottish Gaelic), Salud! (Spanish), Cin cin! (Italian).
  • (Thanks): Thank you, Thanks, Ta (UK informal), Much obliged (formal/dated), Nice one (UK informal).
  • (Goodbye): Bye, See you/See ya, Later/Laters, Farewell (formal), Cheerio (UK, dated/jovial), Ta-ta (UK informal/dated).

Alternatives

Slang/Informal (Thanks):

  • Ta (UK)
  • Nice one (UK)
  • Kudos (acknowledgment/praise)
  • Safe (UK slang, thanks/acknowledgement)

Slang/Informal (Goodbye):

  • Laters
  • Catch ya later
  • Peace out (dated slang)
  • I'm outta here

Situational Appropriateness

  • Toasting: Appropriate in most social drinking situations, informal to semi-formal.
  • Thanks/Goodbye: Informal. Very common and acceptable in everyday interactions (shops, pubs, with friends, colleagues) in relevant regions. Avoid these uses in very formal settings (e.g., formal business letter, speaking to royalty) where Thank you or Goodbye are expected.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The main point of confusion is for North Americans hearing Cheers used for Thank you or Goodbye. They might be momentarily confused or think the speaker wants to drink, but context usually makes the meaning clear quickly.

Examples

  • (Toast): Happy birthday! Cheers! (Clinks glass)
  • (Thanks): (Handing over coffee) Barista: There you go. Customer: Cheers.
  • (Thanks): Cheers for lending me that book.
  • (Goodbye): Okay, I'm heading off now. Cheers!
  • (Goodbye): See you tomorrow. Yeah, cheers.

Dialogue

(Scenario: Friend gives friend a lift)

Passenger: Thanks so much for the ride!

Driver: No worries at all.

Passenger: Okay, see you soon. Cheers!

Driver: Cheers, mate! Bye.

Social Media Examples

  • Instagram caption (picture of drinks): Weekend vibes activated. Cheers everyone! 🥂
  • Comment on a helpful post: This tutorial saved me hours, cheers!
  • Tweet ending a thread: That's all from me on this topic. Cheers for reading.
  • FB event check-out: Had a great time at the gig! Cheers all, heading home.

Response Patterns

  • (Toast): Say Cheers! back, clink glasses, smile, drink.
  • (Thanks): No problem, You're welcome, No worries, Alright, or a reciprocal Cheers.
  • (Goodbye): Bye, See ya, Laters, Take care, or a reciprocal Cheers.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After a toast:

  • People drink and continue conversation.

After Cheers (Thanks):

  • Usually none needed; the transaction or favour is complete. Conversation might continue or end.

After Cheers (Goodbye):

  • People part ways.

Conversation Starter

  • No. It's typically a concluding remark (toast, thanks, goodbye) or a response.

Intonation

  • (Toast): Enthusiastic, bright, often with rising or level intonation, relatively loud. CHEERS!
  • (Thanks/Goodbye): Casual, quick, friendly, often with falling intonation, quieter. Cheers.

Generation Differences

  • All meanings are widely used across generations in the regions where they are common.

Regional Variations

  • Toasting: Universal in English-speaking countries.
  • Thanks & Goodbye: Extremely common in UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. Much less common for these meanings in North America (US/Canada), where Cheers is almost exclusively reserved for toasting. North Americans using it for thanks/goodbye might be doing so ironically or having picked it up from travel/media.
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