The bull's pokey
/ðə bʊlz ˈpoʊki/
B2
Definition
This phrase is a way people say that something is very good or the best. It is often used in informal speech, especially in some parts of the UK. It means that the thing being talked about is impressive or of high quality.
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See It in Action
Informal way to say something is excellent or very good
- •That new movie is the bull's pokey!
- •Your cooking is the bull's pokey; I love it.
- •This car is the bull's pokey — it runs so smoothly.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "the bull's pokey" like "great" or "awesome," but with a fun and unusual expression.
- ✓Picture a strong, powerful bull with a sharp point (pokey) — something that stands out and is very noticeable or impressive.
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you see something surprising and very good, like a great performance or delicious food.
- ✓Sounds like "bull's pokey" → imagine a bull with a pokey (pointy) horn showing strength and power.
- ✓This phrase is like a secret code or nickname for "excellent," used among friends to show excitement.
- ✓NOT like "bad" or "ordinary" — this phrase means the opposite, something very positive.
- ✓NOT like "just good" — it means really impressive or top quality.
Try Other Words
- •Awesome: very good or impressive (Use when you want to sound modern and enthusiastic)
- •Excellent: of very high quality (Use in formal or informal situations to show high quality)
- •Top-notch: the best quality (Use when emphasizing something is the best)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "bull's" (possessive of bull, a strong animal) + "pokey" (informal word meaning pointy or sharp)
- •Etymology: British slang phrase, possibly from the idea of a bull's sharp horn or something pointy and strong
- •Historical development: Used in informal UK English to express something impressive or excellent; exact origin unclear but likely from rural or working-class speech
- •Modern usage: Mainly informal, used to praise things in a fun and colorful way, often in spoken English
Reflect & Connect
•Why do you think people use animal images like "bull" in slang to describe something good or strong?
•Can you think of other phrases in your language that use animals to show something is very good or impressive?
Fill in the blanks
1.When I tried the new restaurant, the food was the bull's pokey because it was ___ delicious and fresh.
2.She said the concert was the bull's pokey, meaning it was ___ and exciting.
3.Unlike a normal compliment, calling something the bull's pokey shows you think it is ___ special.
4.When someone says "the bull's pokey," they usually want to express strong ___ about something.
5.The phrase "the bull's pokey" is ___ used in formal writing.
6.If a car is the bull's pokey, it means it runs ___ and impressively.
7.People use the phrase "the bull's pokey" mostly in ___ conversations with friends.