Medical idioms and slang are everywhere: in rounds, consults, handovers, even case notes. This site helps early-career doctors and international medical graduates decode informal clinical language—clearly, safely, and with cultural awareness.
You may be clinically trained and comfortable communicating in medical English.
Yet many clinicians encounter informal expressions in daily practice that were never addressed in textbooks or formal training, such as:
– “She’s FOS”
– “Turf him to Psych”
– “Trainwreck patient”
– “Shotgunning labs”
These terms are part of real-world clinical communication. They appear during ward rounds, handovers, referrals, and informal discussions—and they can carry meanings, implications, or risks that are not immediately obvious, particularly in international or multidisciplinary settings.
Our courses and idiom journals are designed to help you:
Recognize idioms, slang, and informal clinical expressions commonly used in practice
Understand their intended meaning and potential interpretations
Identify language that may be inappropriate, unprofessional, or risky to repeat
Communicate more confidently and precisely during rounds, consultations, and team discussions
Internal Medicine
Language encountered on wards, during handovers, and in case discussions
[View course]
Emergency Medicine
Common expressions used in the emergency department, rapid consults, and team huddles
[View course]
“very useful for newbies who don't know the IM language.”
"Very good. I would have a few of my own to add."
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Download “7 Idioms You’ll Hear in Week One of Residency”
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Explore the full series of medical idioms courses and journals, and gain clarity in your clinical communication—without guessing, using search tools, or feeling left out.