Idiom Category: Food, Page 1

A slice off a cut loaf is never missed

Used colloquially to describe having sexual intercourse with someone who is not a virgin, especially when they are in a relationship. The analogy refers to a loaf of bread; it is not readily apparent, once the end has been removed, exactly how many slices have been taken.('You never miss a slice from a cut loaf' is also used.)  

About as useful as a chocolate teapot

Someone or something that is of no practical use is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

Above the salt

This means that something or someone has a high position.

Alike as two peas

If people or things are as alike as two peas, they are identical.

All the tea in China

If someone won't do something for all the tea in China, they won't do it no matter how much money they are offered.

All your eggs in one basket

If you put all your eggs in one basket, you risk everything at once, instead of trying to spread the risk. (This is often used as a negative imperative- 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket'. 'Have your eggs in one basket' is also used.)

Apple of your eye

Something or, more often, someone that is very special to you is the 'apple of your' eye.

Apple pie order

Everything is in perfect order and tidy if it is in apple pie order.

Apples and oranges

'Apples and oranges' used when people compare or describe two totally different things. ('Apples to oranges' is also used.)

Apples for apples

An apples for apples comparison is a comparison between related or similar things. ('Apples to apples' is also used.)

As cool as a cucumber

If someone is as cool as a cucumber, they don't get worried by anything.

As much use as a chocolate fire-guard

A fire-guard is used in front of a fireplace for safety. A chocolate fire-guard is of no use. An alternative to 'As much use as a chocolate teapot'.

As much use as a chocolate teapot

Something that is as much use as a chocolate teapot is not useful at all.

Back to the salt mines

If someone says they have to go back to the salt mines, they have to return, possibly unwillingly, to work.

Bad Apple

A person who is bad and makes other bad is a bad apple.

Bad egg

A person who cannot be trusted is a bad egg. Good egg is the opposite.

Banana republic

Banana republic is a term used for small countries that are dependent on a single crop or resource and governed badly by a corrupt elite.

Banana skin

(UK) A banana skin is something that is an embarrassment or causes problems.

Bear fruit

If something bears fruit, it produces positive results.

Best thing since sliced bread

If something is the best thing since sliced bread, it is excellent. ('The greatest thing since sliced bread' is also used.)

Big Apple

(USA) The Big Apple is New York.

Big cheese

The big cheese is the boss.

Boardinghouse reach

Boardinghouse reach is the ability to reach a long distance across a table to get food. We've used it in our family for as long as I can remember, when you reach across someone's plate, "Pardon my boardinghouse reach".

Bread and butter

Bread and butter issues are ones that affect people directly and in a very important way.

Bread and circuses

Activites that entertain people and distract them from problems to keep them from complaining or protesting are bread and circuses.

Breadwinner

Used to describe the person that earns the most money. For example - She's the breadwinner in the family.

Bring home the bacon

A person who brings home the bacon earns the money that a family live on.

Bun in the oven

If a woman has a bun in the oven, she is pregnant.

Butter wouldn't melt in their mouth

If someone looks as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouth, they look very innocent.

Cake's not worth the candle

If someone says that the cake's not worth the candle, they mean that the result will not be worth the effort put in to achieve it.

Can't do it for toffee

If you can't so something for toffee, you are incapable of doing something properly or to any sort of standard.

Carrot and stick

If someone offers a carrot and stick, they offer an incentive to do something combined with the threat of punishment.

Chalk and cheese

Things, or people, that are like chalk and cheese are very different and have nothing in common.

Cheap as chips

(UK) If something is very inexpensive, it is as cheap as chips.

Cherry pick

If people cherry pick, they choose things that support their position, while ignoring things that contradict it.

Chew the cud

If you chew the cud, you think carefully about something.

Chew the fat

If you chew the fat with someone, you talk at leisure with them.

Cook the books

If people cook the books, they keep false accounts to make money illegally or avoid paying tax.

Cooking with gas

(USA) If you're cooking with gas, you're working very efficiently.

Couch potato

A couch potato is an extremely idle or lazy person who chooses to spend most of their leisure time horizontal in front of the TV and eats a diet that is mainly junk food.

Crack a nut with a sledgehammer

If you use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, you apply too much force to achieve a result. ('Jackhammer' is also used.)

Cream of the crop

The cream of the crop is the best there is.

Cream rises to the top

A good person or idea cannot go unnoticed for long, just as cream poured in coffee or tea eventually rises to the top.

Crème de la crème

The crème de la crème is the very best of something.

Curate's egg

(UK) If something is a bit of a curate's egg, it is only good in parts.

Curry favour

If people try to curry favour, they try to get people to support them. ('Curry favor' is the American spelling.)

Cut the mustard

If somebody or something doesn't cut the mustard, they fail or it fails to reach the required standard.

Different kettle of fish

If something is a different kettle of fish, it is very different from the other things referenced.

Dine on ashes

I someone is dining on ashes he or she is excessively focusing attention on failures or regrets for past actions. 

Don't cry over spilt milk

When something bad happens and nothing can be done to help it people say, 'Don't cry over spilt milk'.

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