sugar tongs: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, somewhat dated
Quick answer
What does “sugar tongs” mean?
A small pair of hinged metal pincers with scissor-like handles and flat, concave ends, specifically designed for picking up individual sugar cubes to add to a drink.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small pair of hinged metal pincers with scissor-like handles and flat, concave ends, specifically designed for picking up individual sugar cubes to add to a drink.
A functional tool for serving sugar; can sometimes be used figuratively or in names for similar grasping tools with a specific purpose (e.g., 'ice tongs'). It is almost exclusively used in the plural form, like 'scissors' or 'trousers'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties. In the US, the item might be more commonly referred to simply as 'tongs' or 'sugar cube tongs' if specification is needed.
Connotations
In both cultures, it connotes formality, traditional tea or coffee service, and possibly an older, more genteel setting.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English due to stronger afternoon tea traditions, but overall low frequency in modern usage everywhere.
Grammar
How to Use “sugar tongs” in a Sentence
N (used with 'a pair of')N + for + V-ing (tongs for serving sugar)N + made of + MATERIALVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in the context of manufacturing or selling antique or high-end tableware.
Academic
Rare. Could appear in historical, cultural, or design studies discussing domestic tools.
Everyday
Low. Used when specifically discussing traditional table settings or antique items.
Technical
Very rare. Not a technical term in common fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sugar tongs”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sugar tongs”
- Using it in singular form ('a sugar tong').
- Confusing it with other tongs (salad tongs, ice tongs).
- Misspelling as 'sugar tongues'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun (a plurale tantum) referring to a single tool. You say 'These sugar tongs are silver' and 'a pair of sugar tongs'.
Sugar tongs are typically much smaller, more delicate, and have a specific design (often scissor-like with concave ends) for picking up sugar cubes. Regular tongs (e.g., for salad) are larger and suited for grabbing larger portions.
No, they are considered somewhat antiquated. Their use has declined with the decreased popularity of sugar cubes in everyday settings, though they may still be found in formal or traditional contexts.
No, 'sugar tongs' is exclusively a noun. The action would be described as 'to pick up a sugar cube with the tongs'.
A small pair of hinged metal pincers with scissor-like handles and flat, concave ends, specifically designed for picking up individual sugar cubes to add to a drink.
Sugar tongs is usually formal, somewhat dated in register.
Sugar tongs: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃʊɡə tɒŋz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃʊɡɚ tɔːŋz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Sugar' needs 'tongs' because cubes are too small for fingers when they're sticky. Remember it's plural like the two ends of the tool.
Conceptual Metaphor
GRASPING IS ACQUIRING (e.g., 'to tong the sugar' would metaphorically mean to acquire something desirable with precision).
Practice
Quiz
'Sugar tongs' is grammatically similar to which of the following words?