chalice
C1Formal, Religious, Literary
Definition
Meaning
A ceremonial drinking cup, especially one used in the Christian Eucharist to hold the wine.
In literary or figurative contexts, any ornate cup or goblet; also used symbolically to represent something that is a mixture of good and bad, or a burden (as in 'poisoned chalice').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is strongly associated with religious ritual and medieval or historical contexts. Its primary sense is specific, but its figurative use is common in political/journalistic language.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The figurative phrase 'poisoned chalice' is more established and frequent in British English, particularly in political commentary.
Connotations
Conveys antiquity, sanctity, ceremony. In British English, the figurative sense often carries a stronger connotation of a burdensome or dangerous honour.
Frequency
More frequent in British English due to the commonality of the 'poisoned chalice' idiom and historical/religious discourse. In American English, it is more confined to specific religious or historical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N (of N)ADJ + NV + N (lift, drink from, hold, pass)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a poisoned chalice (a job or gift that seems good but is likely to bring trouble)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The CEO role turned out to be a poisoned chalice after the scandal.'
Academic
Used in historical, religious studies, or literature contexts discussing ritual objects or symbolism.
Everyday
Rare, except in the common idiom 'poisoned chalice'. Otherwise limited to discussions of church services or historical films/books.
Technical
In Christian liturgy, a specific sacred vessel. In heraldry, a charge representing the cup.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The priest held up the golden chalice during the service.
- The museum displayed a medieval silver chalice found in the ruins of the abbey.
- Many saw the promotion as a poisoned chalice because the department was failing.
- The legend speaks of a mystical chalice that grants eternal life to whoever drinks from it.
- Accepting the leadership of the fractured party was a veritable poisoned chalice, guaranteeing political oblivion.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the CH in 'chalice' like the CH in 'church' – a chalice is a church cup.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A DRINK; A PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY IS A CONTAINER (a poisoned chalice).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'чаша' (bowl, cup – more general) or 'кубок' (trophy cup, goblet). 'Chalice' is more specific and ceremonial. 'Чаша' is a better general translation, but 'chalice' implies a specific, often religious, ornate cup.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as /ʃælɪs/ (like 'shall-iss'). The 'ch' is /tʃ/ as in 'church'.
- Using it as a general term for any cup in casual contexts.
- Misspelling as 'chalise' or 'chalis'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common figurative meaning of 'a poisoned chalice'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While it is a type of cup, 'chalice' specifically refers to a ceremonial or ornate drinking cup, most famously the one used in Christian Eucharist. It carries strong connotations of ritual, antiquity, and formality.
A 'grail' (specifically the Holy Grail) is a legendary chalice, said to be the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper. All 'grails' in this sense are chalices, but not all chalices are grails. In general use, 'grail' has come to mean an ultimate, sought-after goal.
Yes, but it is formal or literary. You might describe an ornate historical goblet in a museum as a chalice. Its most common secular use is in the political/journalistic idiom 'a poisoned chalice'.
The concept appears in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' (Act I, Scene VII), where Macbeth calls the prospect of kingship a 'poison'd chalice'. This solidified the phrase's figurative meaning in English.