Beef Idioms (With Meaning and Examples)

Welcome to our fun guide on beef idioms! In English, an idiom is a phrase where the meaning isn’t obvious from the words themselves. This post will explore idioms that involve the word “beef,” explaining what they mean and showing how you can use them in sentences. Even kids can understand and enjoy learning these playful expressions!

Beef Idioms

Here are 20 beef idioms in English with meaning and example sentence for each.

1. Beef up

Meaning: To make stronger or more substantial.

Example: We need to beef up our argument for the debate.

2. Where’s the beef?

Meaning: Questioning the value or substance.

Example: He promised a great party, but where’s the beef?

3. Have a beef with

Meaning: To have a complaint or dispute.

Example: She has a beef with her coworker about the schedule.

4. Beef about something

Meaning: To complain about something.

Example: He always has something to beef about.

5. No beef

Meaning: No problem, no complaint.

Example: I have no beef with your decision.

6. Corned beef

Meaning: A type of salt-cured beef product.

Example: We had corned beef for dinner last night.

7. Beefcake

Meaning: Photographically depicted muscular man.

Example: The magazine featured a famous beefcake.

8. Beef to the hoof

Meaning: A reference to cattle before slaughter.

Example: They raised prize-winning beef to the hoof.

9. Cry beef

Meaning: To loudly complain or protest.

Example: He’ll cry beef if he doesn’t get his way.

10. What’s your beef?

Meaning: What is your problem?

Example: You seem upset, what’s your beef?

11. Beef-headed

Meaning: Stupid, foolish.

Example: Stop being so beef-headed and listen!

12. Beef it up

Meaning: Add muscle, increase in size.

Example: He’s been working out to beef it up.

13. Hot beef injection

Meaning: A humorous or vulgar term for intercourse.

Example: That term is too crude to use in polite conversation.

14. Beef blood

Meaning: Blood from a cow, literal meaning.

Example: The recipe calls for beef blood.

15. Make beef

Meaning: To start a conflict or argument.

Example: He doesn’t want to make beef with anyone.

16. Full of beef

Meaning: Full of energy and strength.

Example: After the workout, he felt full of beef.

17. Beef-witted

Meaning: Having poor judgment or slow thinking.

Example: Don’t be beef-witted, think carefully.

18. All sizzle and no steak

Meaning: All show and no substance.

Example: His proposal was all sizzle and no steak.

19. Chew the beef

Meaning: Discussing a serious issue.

Example: Let’s sit down and chew the beef about this.

20. Beefy details

Meaning: Important, substantial details.

Example: Give me all the beefy details of the story.

Beef Idioms