Are you interested in exploring 20 english Food Idioms to build your English vocabulary? Look no further! This article offers a fun and absorbing approach to enhance your vocabulary. You’ll also discover their meaning and examples.
Just like a delicious and mouthwatering meal tempts you, food idioms will stimulate your approach to learning the English language. These food idioms are not only relatable but also easy to grasp, assisting you to sound more native during conversations. Furthermore, these fascinating food idioms will serve as a cherry on the top of your writings.
So, let’s devour these 20 Fascinating Food Idioms along with their meaning and examples.
1. Go bananas:
Fruits are always refreshing and exciting, and bananas are no exception. Let’s learn an amusing idiom inspired by this beloved fruit.
This Food idiom signifies to become very excited or crazy.
Examples- The children went bananas when they saw a magician at the party.
The fans went bananas when they attended the live concert of the famous singer.
2. Spill the beans:
Meaning- In this food idioms commonly disliked when somebody reveals your secret to others.
To “Spill the beans” means revealing a secret or information.
Examples– I asked her to keep it secret, but she spilled the beans at the party.
My sister always spills the beans in front of everyone.
3. Piece of cake:
Eating a piece of cake takes no time and effort, much like the meaning of this food idiom.
The meaning of this food idiom is something very easy to do.
Examples– After years of practice, solving these math problems is a piece of cake for me now.
Drawing live portraits is a piece of cake for him.
4. Use your noodle:
Indeed! This idiom has very little relevance to its literal meaning. Although our brain doesn’t look like a noodle, but ‘noodle’ in this idiom is used for our intelligence or brain.
‘Use your noodle’ means to use your brain or intelligence.
Examples– Use your noodle and come up with new ideas.
You have to use your noodle to complete this project.
5. Sell like hotcakes:
Hotcakes are always mouthwatering and irresistible, so they’re sold rapidly.
This idiom suggests something sold quickly and in large quantities.
Examples– The new version of this device sold like hotcakes.
This chocolate flavored ice cream is selling like hotcakes.
6. Couch potato:
A lazy person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television.
Examples– On weekends, he completely gets turned into a couch potato.
He will not participate in the race, he is a couch potato.
7. Cry over spilled milk:
This idiom can be easily understood, even by its literal meaning.
It means to fret about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
Examples– Don’t cry over spilled milk, you’ll definitely achieve success one day.
Don’t cry over spilled milk, focus on your upcoming plan.
8. Salt of the earth:
It means a good and honest person.
Examples– My grandfather was the salt of the earth, always willing to help others.
He is the salt of the earth, never cheated on others.
9. Like two peas in a pod:
Meaning- Two people who are very similar or closely resemble each other.
Examples– Those twins are like two peas in a pod.
They’re like two peas in a pod, always together wherever they go.
10. Sweet tooth:
Do you go crazy for cakes and chocolates? If yes, then you’re having a sweet tooth.
‘Sweet tooth’ means a strong liking for sweet foods or desserts.
Examples– My little brother has a sweet tooth; he always asks for candy after dinner.
He has a sweet tooth, and cannot resist chocolate even for one day.
11. Cool as a cucumber:
Cucumbers, especially in heat of summer, are always refreshing and cool.
This idiom denotes a person who is always very calm and composed. It draws a comparison between a person and serene coolness of cucumber.
Examples– Even in the time of conflicts, she remained cool as a cucumber.
Everyone is tense due to exams, but he is cool as a cucumber.
12. Cry over onions:
Just like cutting onions induce tears from our eyes without being really upset, some people pretend to be emotional, even when they’re actually not.
To “Cry over onions” actually means to pretend to be sad or emotional.
Examples– Stop crying over onions; we know you’re not really upset.
Actors cry over onions while performing the play.
13. Butter someone up:
I believe this is the most frequently used idiom.
It means to flatter someone to fulfill our desires.
Examples– He’s always buttering up the boss to get ahead.
Don’t try to butter me, I am not going to favour you.
14. Egg on your face:
Imagine actually having an egg on your face. You’ll feel embarrassed, right?
This idiom’s meaning is to be embarrassed or humiliated.
Examples– He had egg on his face in front of everyone in the office.
Jack ended his speech with an egg on his face.
15. In a pickle:
To be in a difficult situation.
Examples– I accidentally locked my keys in the car; now I’m in a pickle.
He is in a pickle as he again failed in the exam.
16. Bring home the bacon
This food idiom signifies earning money in a family.
Examples– My father works hard to bring home the bacon for her family.
She brings home the bacon by running her own firm.
17. To over egg the pudding:
This idiom suggest to over do something, which results in a negative outcome.
Examples– The project was good, but he over -egged the pudding with unnecessary information.
The dish looked tempting, but she over-egged the pudding by adding excessive salt in it.
18. Like chalk and cheese:
Just like chalk and cheese are totally different from each other.
Similarly, it denotes being very different from each other.
Examples– My sibling and I are like chalk and cheese.
Despite being best friends, their choices are like chalk and cheese.
19. Chew the fat:
Do you enjoy chit-chatting with your friends? Everyone have a daily conversation with each other at some point of time.
This idiom refers to have a casual and relaxed conversation with someone.
Examples– My sister and I chewed the fat all night.
Ladies spend the evening by chewing the fat over tea.
20. To be a tough cookie:
Cookies are our favourite snacks, especially at tea time, holds a special place in our hearts.
Similarly, this food idiom, “To be a tough cookie” reflects being strong, determined, or resilient.
Examples– She’s a tough cookie; she manages everything perfectly.
He is a tough cookie, he never gives up.
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