Food Idioms

Food Idioms

Work done by: Afonso Santos, Nº1 and João Pedro, Nº6

start

SPICE UP

1. To add some ingridient to food or drink in order to make it spicier. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "spice" and "up."

Example: I like to spice my eggs up with hot sauce. 2. To make something more interesting, exciting or sexy. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "spice" and "up." Example: Why don't we spice the trip up a little with some skydiving?

Big Cheese (meaning)

If you describe someone as a big cheese, you mean that they have an important or powerful position in an organization. The idiom big cheese can be used before a noun. Example: Ever since his promotion, he has started to feel that he is the big cheese in the company.

Big Cheese (history)

In 19th-century England, the cheese didn’t have to be big, and “the cheese” alone was synonymous with being a big deal or being of high quality. When the idiom crossed the Atlantic in the early 20th century, the cheese got big, possibly in reference to the literal big cheeses produced in the US in the past and at the time for consumption. The earliest use of "big cheese" that was found in the sense of “important person” comes from an article in the "The Olean Evening Times" from June 1922 celebrating the town’s mayor.

PIECE OF CAKE

We use the idiom "piece of cake" to refer to something that is easy accomplished. This expression was originated in the Royal Air Force in the late 1930s for an easy mission. Possibly it evokes the easy accomplishment of swallowing a slice of sweet dessert.

Apple of one’s eye

The food idiom "Apple of one's eyes" is used to talk about someone we esteem, admire or love above other people.Example: My boyfriend, is the apple of my eye. The original meaning of this food idiom refers to the pupil of the eye (something that dilates in the presence of the one we love). According to Robert Palmatier, the Old English word "apple" referred to the fruit and to the eye of someone who is the apple of your eye, someone you admire or even love.

Cup of tea

This expression is used in the negative: "It's not my cup of tea"It means something is not to your interests or tastes. Basically, you don't like it.Example: Rock music is not my cup of tea, I prefer pop.The positive version of this idiom, has been in use since the 1800s. This drink is used to refer to something you like or dislike. The negative version, which is more frequently used, has been in use since 1920.