Wet your whistle
English Idiom
Meaning: To wet your whistle means to have a drink, usually an alcoholic beverage, to quench your thirst or enjoy a refreshment. It's often used when someone is taking a break to have a drink and relax.
Origin: The idiom 'wet your whistle' dates back to the 14th century. It is thought to originate from old English pubs where whistles were embedded in the lids of ceramic mugs. When patrons wanted a refill, they would blow the whistle to alert the bartender. Over time, the phrase evolved to mean simply having a drink.
Examples
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After mowing the lawn on a hot summer day, John decided to wet his whistle with a cold beer.
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During their hike, they stopped by a stream to wet their whistles and rest for a while.
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The singer took a moment to wet her whistle before continuing with the next song.
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After a long meeting, the team headed to the local pub to wet their whistles and unwind.
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She always keeps a bottle of water nearby to wet her whistle during her long lectures.
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After hours of negotiating, they finally agreed to wet their whistles and celebrate the deal.
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Grandpa loves to sit on the porch in the evening and wet his whistle with a glass of iced tea.
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While waiting for their food, they decided to wet their whistles with some refreshing lemonade.
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The bartender noticed the old man signaling to wet his whistle with a pint of ale.
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On a chilly night, there's nothing better than wetting your whistle with a cup of hot cocoa.