Have you ever experienced having a conversation and the person you are talking with suddenly mentions something about food? English indeed is a crazy language and most of the native speakers use expressions that are rather confusing. Here are some food-related idioms and expressions for you to use in conversations.
Apple of One’s Eye
Meaning: a person that is adored by someone
Sample Sentence: Alyssa is the apple of her father’s eye.
Photo by haris irshad: https://www.pexels.com/photo/time-lapse-photography-of-falling-red-apple-724831/
Sample Dialog:
A: Tanya’s son is growing into a bright and handsome young man.
B: He is. No wonder he’s the apple of the eye of his parents.
A: Indeed. I’m hoping my child would grow into someone like him… well, that’s if I ever decided to have a child.
Bad Egg
Meaning: a person that is adored by someone
Sample Sentence: I don’t want my little brother hanging around with the bad eggs in his class.
Photo by Anna Shvets: https://www.pexels.com/photo/broken-eggshells-on-a-yellow-background-4045551/
Sample Dialog:
A: Have you heard? Zeus was in trouble again?
B: What did he do this time?
A: He vandalized the wall and painted offensive images.
B: That guy is such a bad egg. Why don’t they just kick him out?
A: I heard he came from a powerful family.
Big Cheese
Meaning: a very important person
Sample Sentence: Mr. Gomez is the big cheese of Goldwire Industries.
Sample Dialog:
A: How was the interview?
B: I was a bit surprised by what happened.
A: So, what happened?
B: I thought I was just going to interview the secretary, but they let me talk to the big cheese himself.
Butter Someone Up
Meaning: be extra nice to someone (usually for selfish reasons)
Sample Sentence: We have to butter Mark up before telling him about the bad news.
Photo by Juli Lianna: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-shot-of-brown-bread-with-butter-on-cutting-board-with-glass-of-milk-in-background-10141260/
Sample Dialog:
A: Are you free this long weekend?
B: Yeah, why?
A: My family and I will go camping. Do you want to come with us? My cousins will be there, too.
B: Hmm, I’m not sure.
A: Come on! It would be fun.
B: I bet it is but the thing is… my Mom doesn’t like the idea of me going to the wilderness.
A: Oh, then, I’ll ask her but first, let’s butter her up.
Cool as a Cucumber
Meaning: very relaxed
Sample Sentence: David is as cool as a cucumber.
Photo by cottonbro: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-white-shirt-carrying-baby-in-white-onesie-4004122/
Sample Dialog:
A: It’s hell week again. I badly stop looking at my social media and study.
B: As we should. Stanley, get off your computer and study with us.
A: Come on! Everything will be alright.
B: You being as cool as cucumber won’t make you pass the exams. So, stop fooling around.
Cup of Joe
Meaning: a cup of coffee
Sample Sentence: Let’s grab a cup of Joe after.
Photo by Lood Goosen: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-liquid-pouring-on-black-and-white-ceramic-mug-selective-color-photography-1235706/
Sample Dialog:
A: Our schedule nowadays is too hectic.
B: You can say that again! I automatically feel sleepy by just merely looking at this pile of unfinished projects.
A: How about getting a cup of Joe before we continue.
B: I surely wanted that.
Cry Over Spilled Milk
Meaning: get upset over something that has happened and cannot be changed.
Sample Sentence: It’s lost. Let’s just get a new one; there’s no use crying over spilled milk.
Photo by GEORGE DESIPRIS: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-liquid-filled-glass-bowl-799273/
Sample Dialog:
A: I could have gotten that scholarship if I had just gotten in the interview on time.
B: Oh, what happened?
A: There was a car accident that day which caused heavy traffic.
B: That’s too bad but hey, there’s no use in crying over spilled milk. There are better opportunities in store for you.
A: I guess you’re right. Thanks.
Not my Cup of Tea
Meaning: something you don’t enjoy.
Sample Sentence: Scuba-diving is not really my cup of tea.
Photo by GEORGE DESIPRIS: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-liquid-filled-glass-bowl-799273/
Sample Dialog:
A: What are you doing this weekend?
B: I’ll just stay home and read.
A: Sounds boring. What are you going to read?
B: Oh, I bought a series last time.
A: What is it all about?
B: About students studying in a prestigious school. Do you want to borrow some?
A: Nah, not really my cup of tea. I prefer physical activities.
Hard Nut to Crack
Meaning: difficult to understand.
Sample Sentence: Angelo is a hard nut to crack when something is bothering him like this.
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/wood-honeycomb-still-life-walnut-48188/
Sample Dialog:
A: Have you seen Angelo? I have been looking for him.
B: Why? Is there any problem?
A: I’m not sure. He seems fine yesterday.
B: Oh. Just let him be. You know, Angelo is a hard nut to crack when something is bothering him like this.
A: I guess you’re right. I hope he becomes okay in time.
Piece of Cake
Meaning: very easy.
Sample Sentence: The exam was a piece of cake.
Sample Dialog:
Photo by Larissa Farber: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cup-of-tasty-latte-coffee-with-cheese-cake-on-tray-8027652/
A: How was your exam?
B: It was terrible. I really don’t have enough time to study so I crammed. And yours?
A: I thought the exam would be that difficult but it turns out that it’s just a piece of cake.
B: Good for you. It seems like you studied hard for it.
A: I did. In fact, I had been studying two weeks before the exam. Maybe, you should know your priorities, too. Partying and cramming will really not lead you to anywhere.
B: I know, I know.