In a few previous posts I began covering related idioms that are grouped around specific topic areas.  Today that topic area is going to be food!  In fact there are so many food related idioms (that I think are important) this is going to be the theme of tomorrows post as well.  You might want to eat something before reading any further, because all this talk about food might make you hungry!

Here are ten common food idioms and their meaning.  Below are fill-in the blank examples of how to use these idioms in context for practice.  I’ll post the answers to this fill-in the blanks at the end of tomorrow’s post.  Good luck and enjoy!

apple of my eye: something, but usually someone, that a person cherishes or loves above all others

to bring home the bacon: to earn money, or most of the money, for a family

cool as a cucumber: to be calm even in a situation that might make a person nervous or upset

cup of tea: something a person enjoys

in a nut shell: briefly, in a few words, a summary

to spill the beans: to tell a secret to someone who is not supposed to know

to eat crow: to have to admit (often reluctantly) that you have made a mistake

a piece of cake: a task that is easily accomplished

to walk on eggshells: to be very cautious and careful around someone so that he or she does not become upset or angry

put all one’s eggs in one basket: to risk everything at once

Practice fill in the blanks using food idioms:

1) Mark was ___________ even when his boss called him into his office on the day the company was making layoffs.

2) Financially, I do not want to _______ and only invest money in just real estate.

3) I was forced to _______ for the mistake I made after bragging about what I did.

4) Going to the movies is not ________.  I think I’ll stay home this evening instead of going.

5) Everyone was ____________ around the new principal because they had heard he was easily upset and not very nice when upset.

6) Ben has been working very hard to ___________ for his growing family.

7) My daughter is _____________.  Everything I do, I do for her.

8) The director told us, __________ , what the play was about and then passed out the scripts and asked us to get started rehearsing.

9) I can finish my homework in 5 minutes and be ready to go.  This homework is ________ .

10) I don’t know who, but someone __________ about Kathy’s surprise party.  But she still pretended to be surprised, which was nice of her.