Meaning of 'cook up a storm'

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Tan Elaine

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Is 'cook up a storm' an accepted expression or is it slang?

Thanks.
 

bhaisahab

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Tan Elaine

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I was told that it means to do something with a lot of energy and often skill.
 
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bhaisahab

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Thanks, bhaisahab.

I was told that it means to do something with a lot of energy and often skill.

Thanks, I couldn't have guessed that. Sorry I can't help you with it.
 

Rover_KE

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According to this, it means 'to cook an amazing meal'.

I wouldn't say it's widely accepted or slang.

Rover
 

BobK

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According to this, it means 'to cook an amazing meal'.

I wouldn't say it's widely accepted or slang.

Rover

:up: (Note, Rover didn't write 'or a slang'. 'Slang' is not countable (although in some national variants I believe it is - Indian English, for example).)

A similar inversion is idiomatic: 'a storm is brewing' - it's the storm that does the work! This can be used both meteorologically and figuratively (of emotions or a dramatic turn of events, typically);
'They seemed to be working together well, but a storm was brewing.'
'Everything seemed to be going right for him, but a storm was brewing.'


(The second example can be made more graphic: 'For him, the sky was always blue. But storm-clouds were gathering on the horizon.')

b
 

Barb_D

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It's a very common expression in the US, and not limited to cooking.

I'm going to hit the clubs and dance up a storm.
I've got 30 people coming for dinner so today I'm going to cook up a storm.
 

JMurray

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"Cook up a storm" and other variants as per Barb D's post, are also heard in Aust/NZ.
 

Tdol

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It's a very common expression in the US, and not limited to cooking.

I'm going to hit the clubs and dance up a storm.
I've got 30 people coming for dinner so today I'm going to cook up a storm.

I've heard it in BrE, though it's an import.
 

stefanietran

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in my opinion it means doing st enthusiastically and energetically. It is not only "cook" but verbs which are also accepted.
 

Rover_KE

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In my opinion it means doing something enthusiastically and energetically. It is not only "cook" but verbs which are also accepted.

Welcome to UsingEnglish, stefanietran.:-D

Please read this extract from the Posting Guidelines:

You are welcome to answer questions posted in the Ask a Teacher forum as long as your suggestions, help, and advice reflect a good understanding of the English language. If you are not a teacher, you will need to state that clearly at the top of your post.



Thank you.

Rover
 
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DoUEnglish

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I think Barb_D 'hit the nail on the head' with her explanation.
 
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