Exploring Fresh English Idioms and Vocabulary Related to Food

Food has always been a fascinating topic for people, invoking joy and providing an opportunity for social interaction. Whether we’re savoring a meal or discussing culinary delights, food connects us. Let’s dive into idioms and vocabulary related to various aspects of food:

Idioms about tastes

Take something with a grain of salt

Meaning: Don’t fully believe something; consider it skeptically.

Example:

His extravagant claims about the project should be taken with a grain of salt.

That’s the way the cookie crumbles

Meaning: Accept an unfortunate situation that couldn’t be prevented.

Example:

We lost the game, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

Variety is the spice of life

Meaning: Doing different things makes life interesting.

Example:

Traveling to new places adds variety—it’s the spice of life.

As busy as popcorn on a skillet

Meaning: Extremely busy or active.

Example:

During the holiday season, the mall is as busy as popcorn on a skillet.

Like taking candy from a baby

Meaning: Very easy.

Example:

Solving that puzzle was like taking candy from a baby.

Have a sweet tooth

Meaning: To love sweet foods.

Example:

She can’t resist desserts; she definitely has a sweet tooth.

As sour as vinegar

Meaning: Describes people who find it hard to communicate or socialize.

Example:

His sour demeanor makes it challenging to work with him.

Sell like hotcakes

Meaning: A product is in high demand and sells out quickly.

Example:

The new smartphone model is selling like hotcakes.

As sweet as honey

Meaning: Refers to a very nice and friendly person.

Example:

Our neighbor is as sweet as honey; she always helps everyone.

Idioms about fruits and vegetables

Apple of his (her) eye

Meaning: Someone who is highly praised or cherished.

Example:

His granddaughter is the apple of his eye.

To buy a lemon

Meaning: Purchase something unnecessary or disappointing.

Example:

That used car turned out to be a lemon.

Low-hanging fruit

Meaning: An easy problem or task to solve.

Example:

Let’s tackle the low-hanging fruit first.

Cool as a cucumber

Meaning: Remarkably calm, especially in surprising situations.

Example:

Even during the crisis, she remained cool as a cucumber.

Top banana

Meaning: The leader or most important person.

Example:

In our team, she’s the top banana.

Like two peas in a pod

Meaning: Very similar.

Example:

The twins are like two peas in a pod.

To go bananas

Meaning: To become crazy or extremely excited.

Example:

The crowd went bananas when their team scored.

To spill the beans

Meaning: Reveal a secret.

Example:

She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.

To have a pea brain

Meaning: To be unintelligent.

Example:

He acts foolishly; it’s like he has a pea brain.

To be a banana republic

Meaning: A country that is corrupt and poorly governed.

Example:

Their political instability turned them into a banana republic.

Adjectives with food

1. Delicious: The lasagna at that Italian restaurant is absolutely delicious.

2. Tasty: The street food vendors serve tasty snacks late into the night.

3. Scrumptious: The chocolate cake with layers of cream is simply scrumptious.

4. Yummy: The homemade cookies are warm, soft, and yummy.

5. Luscious: The ripe mangoes are so luscious that they practically melt in your mouth.

6. Mouth-watering: The sizzling sound from the grill makes the steak smell mouth-watering.

7. Decadent: Describes luxurious or self-indulgent food, often associated with rich desserts like chocolate pudding.

8. Appetizing: Refers to food that makes you want to eat it due to its appealing appearance or aroma.

9. Scrummy: A colloquial term for something delicious or satisfying, often used for comfort food.

10. Wholesome: Describes food that is nutritious, good for your health, and provides essential elements.

11. Guilty pleasure: Food that you enjoy despite knowing it’s not the healthiest choice (e.g., fries, ice cream).

Verbs with food

1. Devour: To eat something hungrily and quickly (e.g., “He devoured the pizza slice.”).

2. Savor: To enjoy food slowly and appreciate its flavors (e.g., “She savored the fine wine.”).

3. Crave: To have a strong desire for a specific food (e.g., “I crave chocolate when I’m stressed.”).

4. Indulge: To allow yourself to enjoy something special or treat yourself (e.g., “Let’s indulge in a decadent dessert.”).

5. Sample: To taste a small portion of different foods (e.g., “We sampled various cheeses at the market.”).

Nouns with food

1. Cuisine: Refers to a specific style or type of cooking (e.g., Italian cuisine, Japanese cuisine).

2. Craving: A strong desire for a particular food (e.g., “I have a craving for spicy noodles.”).

3. Banquet: A large formal meal or feast (e.g., “The wedding reception featured a grand banquet.”)