The phrase ‘cup of tea’ is used to define something you like, or perhaps something you’re good at doing.
Example in use: “Fiction novels aren’t really my cup of tea. To be frank, I prefer crime thrillers or historical books.”
Ginger’s Phrase of the Day provides you with a daily dose of interesting facts and trivia on some of the more, and less, common phrases in the English language. Learn the real meaning behind these phrases, when and how to use them and other less-known info behind each phrase.
Cold Turkey
You use the phrase ‘Cold Turkey’ to talk about the sudden and total withdrawal from a substance like alcohol or cigarettes, as well as the psychological or physiological effects resulting from that withdrawal. Going ‘Cold Turkey’ means literally stopping such a habit abruptly and completely.
Example in use: “I’m going to quit smoking, cold turkey. It’s faster than stopping gradually and I’ll get healthy quicker.”
If You Can’t Take The Heat
The phrase ‘If you can’t take the heat’ indicates that if one is unable to cope with a stressful situation, then one should leave it to someone else who can handle it. The expression is also commonly used as ‘If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen’.
Example in use:
Sam: “I’m really stressed about all the cold calling I have to do for work.”
Mark: “Maybe you should find a different job. You know what they say: If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”
Pop The Question
The phrase pop the question is used when a guy to ask a lady to marry him. (Nowadays it’s also common that a woman asks the man to marry her).
Example in use: “Michael popped the question last night! Andrea is delighted, she is more than ready to get married and settle down.”
Gilding the Lily
The phrase ‘Gilding the Lily’ indicates that something has been unnecessarily decorated or over-embellished.
Example in use: “You don’t need to wear so much makeup; it’s just gilding the lily.”
Chick Flicks
You use the term ‘Chick Flicks’ to indicate that a movie focuses on love and is usually of a romantic-comedy genre. The term is mostly used to describe movies that are primarily targeted toward a female audience.
Example of use: “We’re going to spend the evening eating pizza and watching chick flicks.”
Out Of The Blue
The phrase out of the blue is used to say that the issue or situation was completely unexpected.
Example in use: “One day, out of the blue, he proclaimed that he was divorcing.”
Van Gogh’s Ear for Music
The expression ‘Van Gogh’s ear for music’ is used to describe someone who is tone-deaf. The reason for this is the painter losing his ear, either by cutting it off himself, or by losing it during a fight with fellow artist Gauguin, depending on your source of information.
Example in use: “Jeff tried to sing, but he had Van Gogh’s ear for music and was soon ushered out of the audition.”
It’s Anyone’s Call
The expression “it’s anyone’s call” explains a situation in which any possible outcome is as likely as the next, where it is almost impossible to predict what will happen.
Example in use: “The score is so close that the game really is anyone’s call.”
Baby Boomers
You use the expression ‘Baby Boomers’ for people who were born during the temporary spike in birth rate that occurred shortly after World War II. The term is mostly used to describe those born in the United States and the UK.
Example in use: “Our radio station is mostly popular amongst baby boomers: we play a lot of hits from the ’60s and ’70s.”