SLEEP TOGETHER -- Can I say "Coffee and tea can sleep together"?

[Neo]

Hi all,

I'm from China. I just finished a consumer visit and when I talked to my boss I said "coffee and tea can sleep together" to express "consumers would drink both coffee and tea, though on different occasions"; in other words, I meant "coffee and tea are not either-or choice for consumers"...

But I realized that "sleep together" means having sex with...would my words to boss cause misunderstanding or bad feelings?

Thanks!

[stuartnz]

Originally Posted by Neo

Hi all,

I'm from China. I just finished a consumer visit and when I talked to my boss I said "coffee and tea can sleep together" to express "consumers would drink both coffee and tea, though on different occasions"; in other words, I meant "coffee and tea are not either-or choice for consumers"...

But I realized that "sleep together" means having sex with...would my words to boss cause misunderstanding or bad feelings?

Thanks!

(not a professional teacher) I don't know if it would cause bad feelnigs, but misunderstandings would be almost guaranteed, nearly a 100% certainty. Those hearing the phrase would likely be first confused, then possibly bemused, and most likely amused, but your intended point would be lost.

[Ouisch]

I'm sure it wouldn't cause any bad feelings (it might make him chuckle, though). But I don't think he would have understood your meaning - to be honest, I didn't until I read your explanation. I can't think of an idiom that would be useful in this situation. In fact, saying "coffee versus tea is not an either/or choice for most consumers" like you did in your explanation is probably the most succint way of expressing this opinion.

[Neo]

Got it! Thanks a lot :)

What a good place to learn English!

[RonBee]

[tedtmc]

"coffee and tea can sleep together" to express "consumers would drink both coffee and tea, though on different occasions.

You boss would think that you have a one-track mind to have thought of that comparison!
You could say that "coffee and tea are complementary beverages".

not a teacher

[andywoo]

good to know.