Food and drink idioms, colloquialisms and other expressions
Use a dictionary or internet to find the definitions of these expressions. There is a sentence at each expression to help you to understand how to use the phrase.
a piece of cake
(inf.) =
The interview was a piece of cake.
as red as beetroot
=
She became very embarrassed and her face turned red as beetroot.
bananas
=
You’re mad, crazy, completely bananas!
butterfingers
=
I’m always dropping things. I’m such butterfingers.
as cool as cucumber
(inf.) =
Andy never panics. He’s as cool as cucumber.
different as chalk and cheese
=
I don't have anything in common with my brother. We're like chalk and cheese.
different kettle of fish
(inf.) =
Of course their economic policy is a different kettle of fish altogether.
cup of tea
=
Opera is not my cup of tea.
peanuts
(inf.) =
We’re tired of working for peanuts.
sour grapes
=
Such complaints are nothing more than sour grapes.
spill the beans
(inf.) =
There is a surprise party for Heidi on Wednesday. Please don't spill the beans.
the flavour of the month
=
Crocs shoes are suddenly the flavour of the month.
the salt of the earth
=
Farmers were described as the best, the salt of the earth, when their products fed the army.
to pack together like sardines
=
They packed us in like sardines. There was no room to breathe.
there’s trouble brewing
=
There is trouble brewing in the government. The prime minister may resign.
warm as toast
=
The baby will be warm as toast in that blanket.
Food and drink idioms, colloquialisms and other expressions – TEACHER’S NOTES
a piece of cake (inf.) = sth that is very easy
The interview was a piece of cake.
as red as beetroot = very red in the face, especially when you are embarrassed
She became very embarrassed and her face turned red as beetroot.
bananas = silly or crazy
You’re mad, crazy, completely bananas!
butterfingers = sb who has tendency to drop things
I’m always dropping things. I’m such butterfingers.
as cool as cucumber (inf.) = very calm and relaxed, especially in a difficult situation
Andy never panics. He’s as cool as cucumber.
different as chalk and cheese = two people are completely different from each other
I don't have anything in common with my brother. We're like chalk and cheese.
different kettle of fish (inf.) = e.g. a situation that isn’t related to the one you talk about
Of course their economic policy is a different kettle of fish altogether.
cup of tea = sth that one excels in or enjoys
Opera is not my cup of tea.
peanuts (inf.) = a very small amount of money
We’re tired of working for peanuts.
sour grapes = criticism of sth that you make because you’re annoyed that you can’t have it
Such complaints are nothing more than sour grapes.
spill the beans (inf.) = to tell sb sth, often sth that should be kept secret
There is a surprise party for Heidi on Wednesday. Please don't spill the beans.
the flavour of the month = sb or sth that has become very popular, but may not be popular for long
Crocs shoes are suddenly the flavour of the month.
the salt of the earth = an ordinary man who is respected because they are honest and good
Farmers were described as the best, the salt of the earth, when their products fed the army.
to pack together like sardines = to squeeze in as many people or things as possible
They packed us in like sardines. There was no room to breathe
may resign.
warm as toast = warm and comfortable
The baby will be warm as toast in that blanket.