Idiom
fancy that
Meanings
An exclamation meaning “How surprising!” or “Really?” used in reaction to new or unexpected information.
Definition
Used to express surprise or mild disbelief about something you have just heard or noticed.
"Fancy that" is an exclamation mainly used in British English to show surprise, interest, or mild disbelief. People say it when something is unexpected, curious, or amusing. It often comes after new information, a coincidence, or a sudden realization.
Examples
- Fancy that, we went to the same school and never met.
- Fancy that—you actually remembered my birthday!
- She’s moving to Edinburgh next month? Fancy that.
- Fancy that, the lost keys were in the jacket pocket all along.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use "fancy that" as a normal verb phrase (e.g., “I fancy that”) when it is usually an exclamation meaning “How surprising!”
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.