Ever wondered about the phrases we use that include the word “cup”? Many sayings in English use this word in fun and interesting ways. This blog post explores these sayings, known as idioms, showing their meanings and how to use them in sentences. It’s easy enough for anyone to understand, even kids!
Cup Idioms
Here are 20 cup idioms in English with meaning and example sentence for each.
1. In someone’s cup of tea
Meaning: To be enjoyable or preferred
Example: Chess is really his cup of tea.
2. Cup of joe
Meaning: A cup of coffee
Example: I need a cup of joe every morning.
3. Not for all the tea in China
Meaning: Not at any price
Example: I wouldn’t sell it, not for all the tea in China.
4. Stir the pot
Meaning: Cause trouble or controversy
Example: He just loves to stir the pot at meetings.
5. That’s the way the cookie crumbles
Meaning: That’s how the situation is
Example: I lost the game, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
6. Full cup, steady hand
Meaning: Need for calm when in a good situation
Example: Remember, full cup, steady hand when you’re ahead.
7. Put the kettle on
Meaning: Start making tea
Example: I’ll put the kettle on for some tea.
8. There’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip
Meaning: Many things can go wrong
Example: Be careful, there’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip.
9. Cup runneth over
Meaning: To have abundance
Example: My joy is so great, my cup runneth over.
10. Spill the beans
Meaning: Reveal secret information accidentally
Example: He spilled the beans about the surprise party.
11. Cupboard love
Meaning: Affection shown to gain something
Example: Is this cupboard love because I have cookies?
12. Tip one’s hand
Meaning: Reveal one’s advantages prematurely
Example: He tipped his hand too early in the negotiation.
13. One more cup of coffee
Meaning: A request to extend a stay or meeting
Example: Let’s have one more cup of coffee before you go.
14. To have one’s cup full
Meaning: To have a lot of problems
Example: He’s got his cup full with the new project.
15. My cup of tea
Meaning: Something one finds pleasing
Example: Romantic movies are not my cup of tea.
16. Bottoms up
Meaning: To drink the whole drink quickly
Example: Here’s our shot, bottoms up!
17. No use crying over spilled milk
Meaning: No point in being upset over something that’s done
Example: I lost the ticket, but no use crying over spilled milk.
18. Wake up and smell the coffee
Meaning: Be aware of the reality of a situation
Example: You need to wake up and smell the coffee.
19. Break the ice
Meaning: To initiate social interactions
Example: This game will help us break the ice.
20. A storm in a teacup
Meaning: A lot of fuss about something trivial
Example: It’s just a storm in a teacup, nothing serious.
