35 Popular Food Idioms with Meaning and Examples for ESL Learners

Common Food Idioms by Different Categories

Food idioms are a fun and creative way to express ourselves in conversation. They add flavor and color to our language and help us connect with others. In this section, we will explore some of the most common food idioms and their meanings.

Fruit-Based Idioms

Fruit-based idioms are some of the most commonly used food idioms in English. They are often used to describe a person’s personality or behavior.

Apple of my eye: This idiom means someone or something that is cherished above all others.

• For example, “My daughter is the apple of my eye.”

Banana republic: This idiom refers to a small, politically unstable country that is dependent on a single crop or resource.

• For example, “The country is a banana republic, relying heavily on its oil exports.”

Cherry-pick: This idiom means to choose only the best or most desirable items.

• For example, “The boss always cherry-picks the best employees for the important projects.”

Go bananas: To become very excited or angry.

• Example Sentence: The kids will go bananas when they find out we’re going to the amusement park.

Lemon: Something that is faulty or does not meet expectations, often used to describe a vehicle.

• Example Sentence: I bought a used car, but it turned out to be a lemon and broke down within a week.

Peachy: Fine or excellent, often used sarcastically to mean the opposite.

• Example Sentence: Oh, just peachy, now that I’ve locked my keys in the car.

Sour grapes: Disparaging what one cannot obtain as if it were never desirable in the first place.

• Example Sentence: He said he didn’t want the promotion anyway, but it sounded like sour grapes to me.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree: A child usually has a similar character or similar qualities to his or her parents.

• Example Sentence: She’s so talented at art, just like her mother—the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Compare apples and oranges: To compare two things that are fundamentally different.

• Example Sentence: You can’t compare their two situations; it’s like comparing apples and oranges.

Not know beans about (something): To know nothing about a particular subject.

• Example Sentence: I’d like to help you with your taxes, but I’m afraid I don’t know beans about accounting.

Bite the hand that feeds you: To treat someone badly who has helped you in some way, often someone who has provided one with money.

• Example Sentence: Complaining about your boss in such a manner is like biting the hand that feeds you.

Life’s a peach: Life is wonderful or very satisfactory.

• Example Sentence: Ever since she got her new job and moved to Hawaii, she thinks life’s a peach.

A plum job/position: A desirable position which is well-paid and considered relatively easy.

• Example Sentence: He landed a plum job at a tech company without even having to interview.

Vegetable-Based Idioms

Vegetable-based idioms are often used to describe a person’s physical appearance or health.

Carrot-top: This idiom refers to someone with red hair.

• For example, “My cousin has always been a carrot-top.”

Peas in a pod: This idiom means two people who are very similar or alike.

• For example, “The twins are like two peas in a pod.”

Couch potato: This idiom refers to someone who spends a lot of time sitting and watching TV.

• For example, “My brother is a real couch potato.”

Spill the beans: To reveal secret information accidentally or maliciously.

• Example Sentence: He finally spilled the beans about their secret wedding plans.

Full of beans: To have a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

• Example Sentence: My grandmother is 80, but she’s still full of beans.

In a pickle: To be in a difficult or troublesome situation.

• Example Sentence: I’m in a real pickle—I locked my keys in the car.

Cool as a cucumber: To remain calm and composed, especially in stressful situations.

• Example Sentence: She stayed cool as a cucumber during her job interview.

Dangle a carrot: To offer an incentive or reward to motivate someone to do something.

• Example Sentence: The company dangled a carrot in front of employees with the promise of year-end bonuses.

Small potatoes: Something insignificant or unimportant.

• Example Sentence: The mistakes in his report are small potatoes compared to the overall success of the project.

Hot potato: A controversial issue or situation that is difficult to handle.

• Example Sentence: The political debate has become a hot potato that no one wants to touch.

Tough nut to crack: A problem that is hard to solve or a person who is difficult to understand.

• Example Sentence: The new client is a tough nut to crack, but I think I’m making progress.

Out to lunch: Not paying attention or out of touch with reality; sometimes used to imply someone is crazy.

• Example Sentence: If he thinks he can finish that project in one day, he’s out to lunch.

Bean counter: A derogatory term for an accountant or someone who is excessively concerned with numbers and small details.

• Example Sentence: Don’t let the bean counters control all our decisions; sometimes you have to take risks.

Dairy-Based Idioms

Dairy-based idioms are often used to describe a person’s behavior or attitude.

Butter someone up: This idiom means to flatter or praise someone in order to get something from them.

• For example, “He buttered up his boss to get a promotion.”

Cheesy: This idiom refers to something that is tacky or inauthentic.

• For example, “The movie was so cheesy, I couldn’t watch it.”

Cream of the crop: This idiom means the best of the best.

• For example, “The students in this school are the cream of the crop.”

Milk it: To take full advantage of a situation, usually for one’s own benefit.

• Example Sentence: He’s been sick, but now he’s just milking it to avoid going back to work.

Cry over spilt milk: To be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.

• Example Sentence: Yes, we made a mistake, but there’s no use crying over spilt milk now.

The milk of human kindness: Compassion, sympathy, and benevolence.

• Example Sentence: She is known for her generosity and the milk of human kindness.

Cheese off: To anger or irritate someone.

• Example Sentence: I was really cheesed off when I found out they went ahead with the plans without me.

Like two curds in a whey: Very close or inseparable friends, a play on the phrase “like two peas in a pod.”

• Example Sentence: They’ve been like two curds in a whey ever since they met in kindergarten.

Land of milk and honey: A place where there is plenty of everything that one needs or desires.

• Example Sentence: They moved to the city thinking it was the land of milk and honey.

No use crying over spilt milk: It’s not worth being upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.

• Example Sentence: I know you’re disappointed that the cake fell apart, but there’s no use crying over spilt milk.

Milk of human kindness: Natural kindness and sympathy shown to others.

• Example Sentence: Even after being mistreated, she showed the milk of human kindness by forgiving those who wronged her.

Big cheese: An important, influential person.

• Example Sentence: He’s the big cheese in his company, so his approval is crucial for the project.

Butter wouldn’t melt in his/her mouth: Used to describe someone who appears demure, innocent, or sincere but may in fact be the opposite.

• Example Sentence: She looks as though butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, but she can be quite cunning when she wants to be.

Meat-Based Idioms

Meat-based idioms are often used to describe a person’s behavior or actions.

Bring home the bacon: This idiom means to earn a living or provide for one’s family.

• For example, “I work hard to bring home the bacon for my family.”

Chew the fat: To engage in casual conversation or small talk.

• Example Sentence: We sat around the fire and chewed the fat until the early hours of the morning.

Ham it up: To overact or exaggerate one’s performance.

• Example Sentence: He loves to ham it up for the camera; he’s such a natural entertainer.

Beef up: To increase or enhance something, often used in reference to physical strength or the robustness of an object or plan.

• Example Sentence: We need to beef up security for the upcoming event.

Dead meat: In serious trouble or danger.

• Example Sentence: If the boss finds out who broke the printer, they’re dead meat.

Meat and potatoes: The most fundamental and sustaining part of something.

• Example Sentence: Let’s skip the small talk and get to the meat and potatoes of the meeting.

Pork barrel: Government spending for localized projects to bring money to a representative’s district.

• Example Sentence: The bill was full of pork barrel spending that had little to do with the legislation’s main purpose.

Tough as old boots: Very strong or resilient; able to withstand hardship or pain.

• Example Sentence: My grandfather is tough as old boots; he never complains, even when he’s unwell.

Save one’s bacon: To rescue someone from a difficult situation or trouble.

• Example Sentence: My colleague saved my bacon by finishing the report while I was out sick.

Gravy train: A situation in which someone can make a lot of money for very little effort.

• Example Sentence: He’s been riding the gravy train ever since he patented his invention.

Like lambs to the slaughter: To go innocently and unsuspectingly into a dangerous or harmful situation.

• Example Sentence: The tourists went into the scammy shop like lambs to the slaughter, unaware of the overpriced goods they would

Using Food Idioms in Conversations

Now that we have explored some of the most common food idioms, it’s time to learn how to use them in conversations. Food idioms add spice and flavor to our language, and they can help us express ourselves in a more creative and memorable way.

Let’s take a look at some example conversations between two people, using food idioms:

Casual Conversation:

Example 1:

• Alex: Hey, how was your date last night?
• Jamie: It was interesting, but honestly, the restaurant he chose was a bit cheesy for my taste.
• Alex: Oh no, that’s not a good start. But was the conversation at least good?
• Jamie: Yeah, we chewed the fat for a while, but I don’t think we really clicked. I might give it another shot though.

Example 2:

• Pat: You seem really happy today. What’s up?
• Sam: I just got a bonus at work. I can finally bring home the bacon and take my family on that vacation we’ve been dreaming about.
• Pat: That’s awesome! Sounds like you’ve been working hard. You deserve it.

Formal Business Meeting:

Example 1:

• Manager: Let’s get down to the meat and potatoes of today’s agenda. We need to discuss the upcoming merger and the impact it will have on our operations.
• Employee: Agreed. We should also address how to beef up our marketing strategy to ensure a smooth transition for our customers.

Example 2:

• CEO: I want to thank everyone for joining this strategic planning session. Our goal is to identify initiatives that will serve as the cream of the crop for our industry.
• Vice President: Indeed, we’ve been milking the same old strategies for too long. It’s time to innovate and find new revenue streams.
• CEO: Precisely. Let’s not cry over spilt milk regarding past missed opportunities. Instead, let’s focus on carving new paths for growth.