Vocabulary
IDIOMS OF FOOD
IDIOMS OF TIME
81 Examples of Food Idioms Explained with examples
Idioms are words or phrases that have a different meaning than the literal meaning of the word or words. There are many examples of food idioms that are commonly used in the English language. They are not only fun to use but are sure to get your point across creatively in conversation.
Everyone loves food, and can relate to foodie phrases, but remember that food idioms do not literally mean what they say. For example, if you say someone is a “bad apple” this implies that the person is a negative influence on others or is troublesome in nature.
There are endless idioms connected with food. The following are some popular expressions followed by the explanation and example sentence.
Sweet and Sour
- As busy as popcorn on a skillet – Very active. He was always as busy as popcorn on a skillet and never sat down for a minute.
- As flat as a pancake – Very flat.
The ball was as flat as a pancake after the neighbor’s dog bit it. - As sour as vinegar – Disagreeable person.
Her attitude was as sour as vinegar making it difficult for her to keep friends. - As sweet as honey – Very sweet person.
He loved being with her since she was as sweet as honey and always knew what to say. - Have a sweet tooth – Love for sugary and sweet foods.
He had a sweet tooth and never passed up dessert. - Like taking candy from a baby – Easy to do.
Passing the exam was like taking candy from a baby. - Salt of the Earth – Ordinary and decent people.
My neighbor is a salt of the Earth type and always helps out when she can. - Sell like hotcakes – Sell quickly and in large amounts.
Her book sold like hotcakes on the first day it was released. - Sugarcoat – Gloss over bad information.
Please don’t sugarcoat it. I need to know the news right now. - Take with a grain of salt – Don’t take something seriously.
I would take what he says with a grain of salt and not let him upset you. - That’s the way the cookie crumbles – That is the way that things happen.
We can’t control where she goes to college. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles we have to accept it. - Worth your salt – Worth one’s pay.
His teacher was worth her salt and always stayed late to help her students. - Variety is the spice of life – Differences give life interest. Traveling to different cities is fun and exciting. After all, variety is the spice of life.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PERSONAL TRAITS
Physical characteristics are defining traits or features about your body. These are aspects that are visually apparent, knowing nothing else about the person. The first thing you see when you look at someone could be their hair, clothes, nose, or figure. These are all examples of physical characteristics. To get good examples of physical characteristics you should look at a person’s face, how tall they are, and what they are wearing.
Build Characteristics
When describing the physical characteristics of an individual, one of the first things that will strike you is the overall build or body type. Some common adjectives that you may use to describe the build of a person may include the following:
- Plump
- Stocky
- Overweight
- Fat
- Pudgy
- Medium build
- Athletic
- Slender
- Lanky
- Fit
- Slim
- Trim
- Skinny
- Buff
- Muscular
- Ripped
- Well built
Height Characteristics
Another area of physical appearance you may consider is how tall a person is.
- Short
- Tall
- Petite
- Average height
- Gigantic
- Towering
Complexion Characteristics
When describing someone’s skin tone and complexion, you may consider some of the following words.
- Dark
- Light
- Fair
- Rosy
- Olive
- Pale
- Pasty
- Bronzed
- Tan
- Pimply
- Freckles
- Spots
- Pimples
Hair Characteristics
The words that you’d use to characterize someone’s hair can describe color, texture, shape, length and more.
- Blond
- Fair
- Auburn
- Red
- Brown
- Black
- Grey
- White
- Long
- Puffy
- Matted
- Short
- Curly
- Frizzy
- Wavy
- Permed
- Straight
- Bald
- Receding
Personality Traits
Before you can define who you are, you have to first understand some examples of personality traits. These can be determined by our actions, attitudes and behaviors. To help you discover your own personal traits ask yourself the following questions:
- How would I describe myself?
- What brought me joy as a child?
- What brings me joy now?
- What’s my biggest accomplishment?
- What’s my biggest dream?
- What’s my biggest fear?
Examples of Positive Personality Traits
Some, if not most, of your personality traits are likely to be positive. For example:
- Being honest and taking responsibility for your actions are admirable qualities.
- Adaptability and compatibility are great traits that can help you get along with others.
- Drive and determination will help you keep going no matter what.
- Compassion and understanding mean you relate well to others.
- Patience is a virtue and also a good personality trait.
- Courage will help you do what’s right in tough situations.
- Loyalty is a good quality to possess, making others trust you.
Here is a list of positive adjectives that can help you describe personality traits:
Examples of Negative Personality Traits
What would life be without balance? Whether we like to admit it or not, some of our personality traits are also likely to be negative:
- A propensity for lying, in order to avoid responsibility for our actions, is a deplorable quality.
- Being rigid and selfish, unyielding to the needs of others are not endearing qualities.
- Being full of laziness and excuses is sure to drive others away, too.
- An inability to empathize with others will also alienate us from others.
- Being quick to anger will turn people away.
Being disloyal, quick to talk about others behind their backs or, worse, stab them in the back for personal gain also falls high on the scale of negative personality traits.
WRITING A RESTAURANT REVIEW
Writing a review for a restaurant can be challenging. Here are two reviews that might help. Notice the vocabulary, simple but precise for each section you will describe.
Ex. 1
The Open Polo Restaurant
(Name/location)
The ‘Open’ is a restaurant situated in the heart of a small village between three national forests and close to the horse´s capital city, Chantilly. It is the favourite hangout place for people from the polo, horse races, and golf world.
(Atmosphere/decor) As you enter the place you are welcomed by a magnificent setting, a delightful marriage of antique cut stones and the luxuries of modernity. Sitting in any table you have a wonderful view of the workshop-like kitchen where you can see the chefs working. For those who do not book a table and are waiting, there is a cosy lounge with aged leather armchairs and pictures of polo players displayed on the walls.
Idioms to express Happiness
Nationalities and Costumes
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