cup of tea: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
High (both literal and idiomatic uses are common)Neutral to informal. Literal use is standard. Idiomatic use is conversational.
Quick answer
What does “cup of tea” mean?
A specific type of hot beverage made by infusing tea leaves in hot water, typically served in a cup.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific type of hot beverage made by infusing tea leaves in hot water, typically served in a cup.
Used idiomatically to refer to something one likes, enjoys, or is suited to ('my cup of tea') or dislikes/is unsuited to ('not my cup of tea').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The literal meaning is universal. The idiomatic expression 'not my cup of tea' is common in both, but is perceived as particularly characteristic of British understatement.
Connotations
In British English, the idiom carries a connotation of mild, polite dismissal. In American English, it is understood but may sound slightly quaint or deliberately British.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English for the idiom; still common but slightly less frequent in US English.
Grammar
How to Use “cup of tea” in a Sentence
have a cup of teamake (someone) a cup of teafancy a cup of tea?it's not my cup of teaVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in social contexts ('Let's discuss over a cup of tea'). Idiomatically, 'That proposal isn't really our cup of tea.'
Academic
Almost exclusively literal.
Everyday
Very high frequency for the literal meaning. High frequency for the idiomatic meaning.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cup of tea”
- Using 'cup of tea' idiomatically without a possessive (e.g., 'It's not cup of tea'). Using it for things, not activities/people/concepts (e.g., 'This apple isn't my cup of tea' is odd).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the idiom is fixed as 'cup of tea'. Using 'coffee' is humorous or a malapropism.
Yes, but less frequently. 'Classical music is absolutely my cup of tea' is correct but less common than the negative form.
Yes, but carefully. 'He's nice, but he's not really my cup of tea' means you're not romantically/interpersonally interested. It can be mildly offensive.
'Cuppa' is a colloquial, chiefly British contraction of 'cup of tea'. It is only used for the literal beverage, not the idiom ('not my cuppa' is non-standard).
A specific type of hot beverage made by infusing tea leaves in hot water, typically served in a cup.
Cup of tea is usually neutral to informal. literal use is standard. idiomatic use is conversational. in register.
Cup of tea: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkʌp əv ˈtiː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkʌp əv ˈtiː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not my cup of tea”
- “just my cup of tea”
- “a different cup of tea (meaning a different matter)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cup with a label of something you LOVE inside it (e.g., music notes, a book, a football). If you love it, it's 'your cup of tea'. If it's something you hate (like broccoli), it's 'not your cup of tea'.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERSONAL PREFERENCE IS A BEVERAGE ONE ENJOYS / TASTE IS PREFERENCE.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'not my cup of tea' express?