English Idioms

Food

Expanding your knowledge of food-related idioms will enrich your conversations about cuisine, dining experiences, and culinary topics. Our collection of food idioms includes detailed meanings, practical examples, and audio pronunciations to facilitate your learning. Understanding these idioms will help you express yourself more naturally and engagingly when discussing food. Explore the origins of these idioms to gain deeper cultural insights and enhance your comprehension. Practice using these idioms to build confidence and improve your conversational skills in English. Start mastering food idioms today to elevate your discussions about culinary delights.

Idiom	Meaning and Examples
Apple of my eye	Meaning: Someone or something cherished above all others. This phrase is often used to describe a person who is loved dearly and is the center of someone's affection. Examples: Despite having three children, it was clear that little Emily was the apple of her father's eye. The antique car, restored to its former glory, became the apple of John's eye. Her grandmother's locket was the apple of her eye, a cherished family heirloom. Meaning and Examples of the "Apple of my eye" idiom
Bite off more than you can chew	Meaning: To take on a task or responsibility that is too big or difficult to manage effectively. Often, it involves overcommitting yourself and then struggling to keep up. Examples: Taking on three major projects simultaneously might mean you've bitten off more than you can chew. She thought managing both her full-time job and a side business would be easy, but she soon realized she'd bitten off more than she could chew. When he volunteered to organize the entire conference by himself, he definitely bit off more than he could chew. Meaning and Examples of the "Bite off more than you can chew" idiom
Bread and butter	Meaning: This phrase refers to a person's main source of income or livelihood. It signifies something essential or fundamental that is necessary for survival or maintaining one's lifestyle. Examples: Writing code is his bread and butter; he's been doing it professionally for over a decade. For many artists, teaching art classes is their bread and butter while they pursue their creative projects. The small family farm's bread and butter comes from selling fresh produce at the local market. Meaning and Examples of the "Bread and butter" idiom
Bring home the bacon	Meaning: To earn money or provide for the family, ensuring that the household's financial needs are met. It often implies that the person is the primary breadwinner and is successfully supporting their loved ones. Examples: After months of job hunting, Sarah finally found a position that allowed her to bring home the bacon. Despite the long hours, John takes pride in bringing home the bacon to support his family. With her successful freelance business, Maria is now the one bringing home the bacon. Meaning and Examples of the "Bring home the bacon" idiom
Chew the fat	Meaning: Engage in casual or leisurely conversation, often about unimportant or trivial matters. It's a way to catch up with friends or family without any particular agenda. Examples: After dinner, we sat on the porch and chewed the fat about our childhood adventures. He loves to chew the fat with his colleagues during coffee breaks. Whenever she visits, we chew the fat for hours about everything and nothing. Meaning and Examples of the "Chew the fat" idiom
Cool as a cucumber	Meaning: Remaining calm and composed even in stressful or challenging situations. Someone who is unflustered and maintains their composure regardless of external pressures. Examples: Despite the intense questioning, the detective remained as cool as a cucumber throughout the entire interrogation. Even with the deadline looming, Emma was cool as a cucumber and managed to submit the project on time. During the emergency landing, the pilot's voice was as cool as a cucumber, reassuring all the passengers. Meaning and Examples of the "Cool as a cucumber" idiom
Cry over spilled milk	Meaning: When you cry over spilled milk, you're upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed. It's a way of expressing that it's pointless to worry or be sad about past mistakes or mishaps. Examples: Even though the presentation didn’t go as planned, there’s no use crying over spilled milk. We should focus on preparing better for next time. After the accident, she realized that crying over spilled milk wouldn't bring her car back. She decided to look for a new one instead. The team lost the match, but the coach told them not to cry over spilled milk and to train harder for the next game. Meaning and Examples of the "Cry over spilled milk" idiom
Cup of tea	Meaning: When you describe something as your 'cup of tea,' you are saying that you find it enjoyable or preferable. It is often used to express personal likes or preferences in a positive way. Examples: Attending art galleries is not really my cup of tea, but I can see why you enjoy it. That horror movie was definitely his cup of tea, given his love for thrillers. While chocolate ice cream is her cup of tea, I prefer vanilla. Meaning and Examples of the "Cup of tea" idiom
Full of beans	Meaning: When someone is extremely energetic, lively, or enthusiastic. They are brimming with vitality and often exhibit a cheerful and spirited demeanor. Examples: Despite working late into the night, Jane arrived at the office full of beans, ready to tackle the day's challenges. After a good night's sleep, the children woke up full of beans and eager to start their weekend adventure. John was full of beans at the party, entertaining everyone with his jokes and dance moves. Meaning and Examples of the "Full of beans" idiom
In a nutshell	Meaning: To describe something in a concise and brief manner, capturing the essence without going into much detail. It's a way to get to the point quickly and clearly. Examples: To put it in a nutshell, the new policy will increase efficiency but may require more initial investment. The novel, in a nutshell, explores the complexities of human relationships and the pursuit of happiness. Her explanation of the theory, in a nutshell, was clear and to the point. Meaning and Examples of the "In a nutshell" idiom
Out to lunch	Meaning: Someone who is not paying attention or is completely unaware of what is happening around them. They might seem distracted, confused, or just not in touch with reality at the moment. Examples: During the meeting, Sarah was completely out to lunch, missing all the crucial points discussed. When I asked him about the new project, he looked at me like he was out to lunch. Despite the chaos in the office, Mark seemed out to lunch, staring blankly at his screen. Meaning and Examples of the "Out to lunch" idiom
Piece of cake	Meaning: When something is very easy to do, requiring minimal effort or skill, you might describe it as a 'piece of cake.' It's a way to express that the task was simple and straightforward. Examples: Completing the project was a piece of cake for someone with her experience and skills. For a seasoned chef like him, preparing a five-course meal is a piece of cake. Navigating through the dense forest was a piece of cake with the help of a detailed map. Meaning and Examples of the "Piece of cake" idiom
Sour grapes	Meaning: When someone disparages something they cannot have, they belittle it to make themselves feel better. This behavior is often a defense mechanism to cope with disappointment. Examples: After failing to secure the promotion, Sarah dismissed the job as unimportant, a classic case of sour grapes. When John couldn't afford the luxury car he wanted, he called it overrated and unreliable, clearly sour grapes. Rebecca didn't get invited to the exclusive party and later claimed it would have been boring anyway, showing sour grapes. Meaning and Examples of the "Sour grapes" idiom
Take it with a grain of salt	Meaning: Be skeptical about the information you receive, as it may not be entirely accurate. Approach it with caution and consider that it might be exaggerated or not fully trustworthy. Examples: When John told me he saw a UFO, I took it with a grain of salt. You should take her story about winning the lottery with a grain of salt until you see proof. The salesman's promises seemed too good to be true, so I took them with a grain of salt. Meaning and Examples of the "Take it with a grain of salt" idiom