bollocks

Everyday

1. (rude, UK) Nonsense or rubbish: said when you think something is untrue or stupid. tree →
2. (rude) Used as a swear word when you are annoyed, like "damn". tree →
3. (very rude, slang) The testicles. tree →
4. (rude, UK, in "the dog's bollocks") Something excellent. tree →

In the lessons

Met in real speech and in adult films and books, never in polite or school writing. It tells the reader a character is angry, rude, or sure something is false. Phrases: talk bollocks, bollocks to that, the dog's bollocks, bollocks something up (make a mess of it).

Examples

• "That's bollocks!" he said when he heard the rumour. (rude) tree →
• Oh, bollocks — I've missed the bus. (rude) tree →
• He bollocksed up the whole plan. (rude) tree →
• Bollocks to that, I'm not doing it. (rude) tree →
• Teachers would call it "nonsense", not "bollocks". tree →
• You'll hear it in films, but don't say it in class. tree →

Note

Rude, swearing: do not use at school or with adults. Polite words: nonsense, rubbish. Mainly British, Irish and Australian; Americans use other words. Also spelled ballocks.