Modul 4: Idiom 25: My Cup of Tea

My Cup of Tea

Hi. Let’s take a look at the Idiom, ‘Cup of Tea.’ Aside from a cup of tea being something that you drink, a cup of tea is also an idiom. When giving your opinion on an object or activity, you may say that it is or isn’t your ‘cup of tea.’ For example, bird watching is an activity that I don’t find interesting. I don’t like to do it so I could say that bird watching isn’t my cup of tea.

So what is the origin of this idiom?

After water, tea is the most consumed beverage – drink –  in the world. There are many different types of tea and everyone has a type that they like more than others, whether it’s Green Tea, Earl Grey, Black Tea, English Breakfast. Everyone has a cup of tea that they prefer. In the late 1800s the phrase ‘my cup of tea’ was introduced as a way of describing something that you enjoyed. It wasn’t until the 1920’s when ‘not’ was added to the beginning of the phrase to mean the opposite. ‘Not my cup of tea.’ 

Take a look at our illustration.

The old lady in the chair is drinking her cup of tea. Does she look like she’s enjoying it? Not really. It isn’t the flavour or taste that she is used to – that she usually has and likes. That cup of tea that she is drinking doesn’t seem to be her cup of tea. The Union Jack flag on her chair reminds us that the idiom originates from Britain, and her style and age reminds us that the idiom has been used for a long time.

Here are some examples before we go to the concept questions…

“I don’t think strawberry pancakes are my cup of tea but I’ll have some banana pancakes!”

“What is your cup of tea, walking or driving?”

“I didn’t think that kayaking would be my cup of tea, but it turns out that I’m quite good at it!”

“I don’t like street dancing…but Ballet, now that’s my cup of tea!”

“Burger restaurants aren’t my cup of tea because I’m Vegan.”

Great.

Let’s look at some situations and check your understanding:

1. Barbara had invited six of her friends round for a good chat.  Her husband, Ken, decided to go and clean the garage.  Was listening to the ladies talk Ken’s cup of tea?  No. He’d rather clear out the garage!
2. Frank and Tina liked nothing better than sitting in front of the fire and reading.  Were quiet nights their cup of tea?  Yes.  They enjoyed reading their favourite novels.
3. Dad and mum were discussing a walking holiday, but the children wanted to go to the beach.  Was a walking holiday the children’s cup of tea?  No.  They wanted the fun of the seaside.
4. Lottie couldn’t wait for December to come so that she could dress the Christmas tree and put up decorations.  Was Christmas time Lottie’s cup of tea?  Yes.  She loved everything about Christmas.
5. Dillan’s parents didn’t really like rock music, but they went to the club to hear him play the guitar and sing in his band.  Was rock music their cup of tea?  No, but they went to listen to it to show their son they were supporting him.

Great. Now go and practise. See you soon.