Van driver helps armed officer chase suspect

What does “cheers” mean in British English?

In this clip, a van driver helps police chase a suspect, and the word everyone keeps using is cheers: “Cheers, buddy,” “Cheers, guys,” and finally “Yeah. Cheers.” Nobody is raising a glass. In informal British English, cheers very often means “thanks,” and it also works as a quick “bye” at the end of a conversation.

The clip also has no worries, another casual reply that means “it’s fine, no problem.” Together, “cheers” and “no worries” are the everyday way to thank someone and to accept thanks. The drinking toast “Cheers!” still exists, of course: context tells you whether someone is thanking you, saying goodbye, or lifting a glass.