Dobi Apps

English idioms

Food idioms

Cakes, cookies, beans and cucumbers: food idioms that have nothing to do with eating.

Idioms

  1. 1a piece of cakeSomething that is very easy to do.The exam was a piece of cake – I finished in twenty minutes.
  2. 2take something with a pinch of saltTo not completely believe something because it may not be true or accurate.Online reviews should be taken with a pinch of salt – some of them are fake.
  3. 3cry over spilt milkTo be upset about something bad that has already happened and cannot be changed.The deadline has passed. There's no point crying over spilt milk – let's plan the next one.
  4. 4compare apples and orangesTo compare two things that are too different to be compared fairly.Comparing a city flat with a country house is comparing apples and oranges.
  5. 5out of the frying pan into the fireFrom a bad situation into an even worse one.I left my stressful job for a start-up that went bankrupt – out of the frying pan into the fire.
  6. 6go cold turkeyTo stop a bad habit suddenly and completely, instead of slowly.She went cold turkey on sugar and felt terrible for a week.
  7. 7the best thing since sliced breadAn excellent new idea, product or person, often said with some humour.My dad thinks his new air fryer is the best thing since sliced bread.
  8. 8have your cake and eat itTo want two good things that cannot both be had at the same time.You want a big salary and no responsibility? You can't have your cake and eat it.
  9. 9not your cup of teaNot something you like or enjoy.Horror films are not my cup of tea.
  10. 10cool as a cucumberVery calm and relaxed, especially in a stressful situation.Everyone was panicking, but the pilot was cool as a cucumber.
  11. 11a couch potatoA lazy person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching TV.I've been a couch potato all weekend – I need some exercise.
  12. 12food for thoughtSomething that makes you think seriously about a subject.The talk on climate change gave us all food for thought.
  13. 13a smart cookieA clever person who is good at understanding things and solving problems.Your daughter is a smart cookie – she fixed the Wi-Fi in two minutes.
  14. 14the icing on the cakeSomething extra that makes a good situation even better.I got the job, and the free gym membership was the icing on the cake.
  15. 15sell like hotcakesTo sell very quickly and in large numbers.The new game is selling like hotcakes – the shops have run out.
  16. 16full of beansFull of energy and enthusiasm.The kids are full of beans this morning – let's take them to the park.
  17. 17butter someone upTo be very nice to someone so that they will do something for you.He's been buttering up the boss all week because he wants Friday off.
  18. 18a hard nut to crackA difficult problem to solve or a person who is difficult to understand or persuade.This bug is a hard nut to crack – nobody can find the cause.
  19. 19a bad appleOne bad person who has a bad effect on the rest of a group.Most of the staff are great; there's just a bad apple or two.
  20. 20have a sweet toothTo love eating sweet food like cake, chocolate and sweets.I've always had a sweet tooth – I can't say no to dessert.
  21. 21bread and butterThe main work or activity that gives someone or a business most of its income.Wedding photos are the bread and butter of his business.
  22. 22in a nutshellIn a very short and simple way, using few words.In a nutshell, the project is late and over budget.
  23. 23packed like sardinesPressed very close together in a crowded space.We were packed like sardines on the train this morning.