Idiom Category: Drinking and pubs, Page 1

Bar fly

A bar fly is a person who spends a lot of time drinking in different bars and pubs.

Beer and skittles

(UK) People say that life is not all beer and skittles, meaning that it is not about self-indulgence and pleasure.

Bottoms-up

Equivalent to 'Cheers' when drinking with someone.

Champagne taste on a beer budget

Someone who lives above their means and likes things they cannot afford has champagne taste on a beer budget.

Champagne tastes, beer wages

(UK) A person who likes expensive things but has a low income has champagne taste and beer wages.

Decorate the mahogany

(USA) When someone buys a round a pub or bar, they decorate the mahogany; putting cash on the bar.

Drown your sorrows

If someone gets drunk or drinks a lot to try to stop feeling unhappy, they drown their sorrows.

Drunk as a lord

(UK) Someone who is very drunk is as drunk as a lord.

One over the eight

(UK) Someone who has had one over the eight is very drunk indeed. It refers to the standard eight pints that most people drink and feel is enough.

Quart into a pint pot

(UK) If you try to put or get a quart into a pint pot, you try to put too much in a small space. (1 quart = 2 pints)

Small beer

If something is small beer, it's unimportant.

Three sheets in the wind

(UK) Someone who is three sheets in the wind is very drunk. ('Three sheets to the wind' is also used.  'Seven sheets' is an alternative number used.)

Three sheets to the wind

If someone is three sheets to the wind, they are drunk.

Tired and emotional

(UK) This idiom is a euphemism used to mean 'drunk', especially when talking about politicians.

Turn water into wine

If someone turns water into wine, they transform something bad into something excellent.

Well-oiled

If someone is well-oiled, they have drunk a lot.

Wet your whistle

If you are thirsty and have an alcoholic drink, you wet your whistle. "Whet your whistle" is also used.

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