In a way I like the sheer simplicity of the way Americans use language
(nearly said "Americans think" there...). It has an obvious
directness. A "valve" looks like a tube, so it's a tube. Here are some
equivalents:

UK - Observe a sense of occasion
US - Big it up

UK - I reflected on what was taking place
US - I was like "what's up"?

UK - A theatrical performance
US - A show

UK - To apply cardiac resuscitation to the patient
US - To jump start the dude

Andy