Drink Idioms (With Meaning and Examples)

In this post, we’re going to explore some fun phrases that use the word “drink” or are related to drinking. These expressions, called idioms, add color to our language and are used in everyday conversations. Let’s dive into some common drink idioms that are easy to understand and use!

Drink Idioms

Here are 20 drink idioms in English.

1. Drink like a fish

Meaning: To drink a lot of alcohol.
Example: He can drink like a fish at parties.

2. Drink someone under the table

Meaning: To outdrink someone.
Example: She drank him under the table.

3. In the drink

Meaning: In the water.
Example: He fell right in the drink.

4. Soft drink

Meaning: A non-alcoholic beverage.
Example: Kids usually prefer soft drinks.

5. Have one too many

Meaning: To drink excessive alcohol.
Example: He had one too many last night.

6. Hair of the dog

Meaning: Alcohol used as a hangover cure.
Example: He had a beer as hair of the dog.

7. Drink to that

Meaning: Agree and toast to it.
Example: I’ll definitely drink to that!

8. Buy a round

Meaning: Purchase a drink for a group.
Example: He bought a round for everyone.

9. Wet your whistle

Meaning: To have a drink.
Example: Let’s go wet our whistles.

10. Drink the Kool-Aid

Meaning: To completely buy into an idea.
Example: They really drank the Kool-Aid.

11. Last call

Meaning: Final drink orders before closing.
Example: It’s last call, order now!

12. On the rocks

Meaning: With ice.
Example: He likes his whiskey on the rocks.

13. Spill the beans

Meaning: Reveal a secret.
Example: She spilled the beans at the party.

14. Water down

Meaning: Make something less effective.
Example: They watered down the report.

15. Full-bodied

Meaning: Rich and flavorful (usually wine).
Example: This is a full-bodied red wine.

16. Bottoms up

Meaning: Finish your drink.
Example: Bottoms up, let’s celebrate!

17. Milk it

Meaning: Take full advantage of a situation.
Example: He really milked his birthday.

18. A taste of your own medicine

Meaning: To suffer the way you’ve made others suffer.
Example: She gave him a taste of his own medicine.

19. Stir up trouble

Meaning: To cause problems.
Example: He likes to stir up trouble at meetings.

20. Sober up

Meaning: To become sober after drinking.
Example: He needed coffee to sober up.

Drink Idioms