65 Idioms about Drinking

Drinking is something people often talk about, and over time, it has inspired many sayings. These sayings, or idioms, use simple words to explain ideas about life, fun, and sometimes problems. People use these phrases to describe situations quickly without needing long explanations. They can be funny, wise, or even serious.

Learning idioms about drinking helps us understand language better. They show how people connect actions with feelings or ideas. Some idioms teach lessons about being careful or about enjoying life slowly. Others describe what happens when someone drinks too much. Knowing these idioms makes reading, talking, and listening more interesting. It also helps us share thoughts with others in a clear and simple way.

1. Hit the bottle

Meaning: To start drinking alcohol a lot.
To Provide an Example: John hit the bottle after losing his job. Sarah hit the bottle at the party last night. Mike said he sometimes hits the bottle when he is stressed.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean drinking a little too much. Tim tends to hit the bottle on weekends. Anna hit the bottle during the holidays.

2. Drink like a fish

Meaning: To drink alcohol very often or in large amounts.
To Provide an Example: At the wedding, Jack drank like a fish. Grandma joked that her uncle drinks like a fish every Saturday. They say Tom drinks like a fish after work.
Alternative Meaning: Sometimes used humorously for someone who enjoys alcohol a lot. Lisa laughs when her dad drinks like a fish at parties.

3. Bottoms up

Meaning: A phrase used before drinking to encourage everyone to drink.
To Provide an Example: Everyone said “bottoms up” before their soda at lunch. At the party, friends cheered “bottoms up” with juice. At Thanksgiving, the family said “bottoms up” with cider.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean to finish a drink in one go. Kids finished their milk with a “bottoms up.”

4. On the rocks

Meaning: A drink served with ice cubes.
To Provide an Example: He ordered whiskey on the rocks. Mom likes her lemonade on the rocks. Dad prefers his soda on the rocks.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean something is in trouble, like a plan or relationship. Their plan for a picnic was on the rocks because of rain.

5. Raise a glass

Meaning: To lift a drink to celebrate or honor someone.
To Provide an Example: We raised a glass to mom’s birthday. Friends raised a glass to their teacher. At the graduation party, they raised a glass to success.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean giving a small toast without drinking alcohol. We raised a glass of juice for our friend’s achievement.

6. Brew up

Meaning: To make a drink, usually tea or beer.
To Provide an Example: Mom brewed up some tea for breakfast. He brewed up a batch of homemade beer. We brewed up cocoa on a cold day.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean to prepare something carefully. She brewed up a plan for the school project.

7. Wet your whistle

Meaning: To have a drink, usually a small sip.
To Provide an Example: He wet his whistle with some water after running. At the baseball game, we wet our whistle with lemonade. Sarah wet her whistle with juice before lunch.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean taking a short break to drink. The coach told the team to wet their whistle before practice.

8. Knock back

Meaning: To drink quickly or in one go.
To Provide an Example: He knocked back his soda at lunch. At the party, Tom knocked back his juice. Friends knocked back their milkshakes after the game.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean to finish something fast. She knocked back her homework before dinner.

9. Toast to

Meaning: To honor or celebrate someone with a drink.
To Provide an Example: We toasted to Dad’s new job. They toasted to their friendship at lunch. Friends toasted to winning the game.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean to give respect or thanks without alcohol. We toasted to our teacher with chocolate milk.

10. Pour one out

Meaning: To pour a small amount of drink on the ground to remember someone.
To Provide an Example: He poured one out for his friend who moved away. They poured one out at the baseball game. At the picnic, she poured one out for Grandpa.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean remembering someone in a quiet way. Friends poured one out for their lost pet.

11. Hair of the dog

Meaning: Drinking a little alcohol to feel better after drinking too much.
To Provide an Example: John had a small beer as hair of the dog after the party. Sarah tried hair of the dog with juice to feel awake. Mike joked about hair of the dog after Thanksgiving dinner.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean a small remedy for a problem. Anna ate fruit as hair of the dog for her headache.

12. Take a swig

Meaning: To drink a large gulp of a drink.
To Provide an Example: Tim took a swig of water after running. At the baseball game, Jack took a swig of soda. Sarah took a swig of juice before lunch.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean to try something quickly. He took a swig of the new snack.

13. Sip slowly

Meaning: To drink carefully and slowly.
To Provide an Example: Mom sipped slowly on her tea. John sipped slowly on his soda. At the party, Lisa sipped slowly on juice.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean to do something carefully. She sipped slowly from the straw to avoid spilling.

14. Spill the tea

Meaning: To share gossip or news.
To Provide an Example: Emma spilled the tea about the school game. Jack spilled the tea about the party. Sarah spilled the tea to her friends.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean telling a secret. He spilled the tea about the surprise gift.

15. Drink in

Meaning: To enjoy looking at or experiencing something fully.
To Provide an Example: They drank in the view of the park. Jack drank in the music at the concert. Lisa drank in the decorations at the party.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean noticing details carefully. Mom drank in the words of the story.

16. On a bender

Meaning: To drink alcohol a lot over a short time.
To Provide an Example: John went on a bender after the test. Mike went on a bender with friends at the party. Sarah said her uncle went on a bender last weekend.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean doing something a lot in a short time. They went on a reading bender over summer.

17. Cheers

Meaning: A word to celebrate before drinking.
To Provide an Example: Everyone said “cheers” with their milkshakes. At the picnic, friends said “cheers” with juice. They said “cheers” to Dad’s birthday.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean thanks. She said “cheers” when someone helped her.

18. Cold one

Meaning: A cold drink, usually beer or soda.
To Provide an Example: Jack drank a cold one after the game. Sarah enjoyed a cold one on a hot day. Mom poured a cold one of lemonade for lunch.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean any cold drink. They had a cold one of milk with cookies.

19. Brewed up trouble

Meaning: Made a problem start or grow.
To Provide an Example: Mike brewed up trouble at school. Sarah brewed up trouble with her brother. Jack brewed up trouble at the picnic.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean creating something. Mom brewed up a story for bedtime.

20. Cut someone off

Meaning: To stop giving someone alcohol.
To Provide an Example: The bartender cut Jack off after too many drinks. Mom cut Sarah off from juice after dinner. Dad cut Tim off from soda before bedtime.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean to stop someone from doing something. Teacher cut off the noisy students.

21. Water down

Meaning: To make a drink less strong by adding water.
To Provide an Example: Mom watered down the juice for kids. Jack watered down lemonade for the picnic. Sarah watered down tea for her brother.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean to make something less serious. He watered down the story to make it easier to understand.

22. Last call

Meaning: The last time you can get a drink at a bar.
To Provide an Example: John grabbed a soda at last call. Mike bought juice at last call. Friends took a milkshake at last call.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean the final chance to do something. Last call to turn in homework.

23. Drink up

Meaning: To finish drinking.
To Provide an Example: Tim drank up his water quickly. Jack drank up his milkshake. Sarah drank up her juice before lunch.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean to enjoy something fully. Drink up the fun at the party.

24. Nightcap

Meaning: A small drink before going to bed.
To Provide an Example: Dad had a nightcap of milk before sleep. Mom had a warm cocoa nightcap. Friends had a small juice nightcap at the sleepover.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean a final small activity before finishing. They read a book as a nightcap.

25. Bottle up

Meaning: To keep feelings inside.
To Provide an Example: Jack bottled up his sadness. Sarah bottled up her excitement. Tim bottled up anger after losing the game.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean to store something in a bottle. Mom bottled up extra lemonade.

26. On the wagon

Meaning: To stop drinking alcohol for a time.
To Provide an Example: Mike is on the wagon this week. Jack is on the wagon after the party. Sarah decided to be on the wagon during school.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean stopping a habit. He is on the wagon with video games.

27. Two-drink minimum

Meaning: A rule to buy at least two drinks.
To Provide an Example: The cafe has a two-drink minimum. Jack bought two sodas for the rule. Sarah followed the two-drink minimum for lemonade.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean a small rule to do something extra. Two-drink minimum for sharing snacks.

28. Raise spirits

Meaning: To make someone feel happier.
To Provide an Example: Juice raised Tim’s spirits after school. Cake raised Sarah’s spirits. A funny movie raised friends’ spirits.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean to encourage someone. Mom raised spirits by cheering at the game.

29. Beer garden

Meaning: An outdoor place where people drink beer.
To Provide an Example: Dad visited a beer garden in the city. Friends went to a small beer garden for lunch. Jack walked through a beer garden with family.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean any outdoor picnic area. They played in the beer garden at the park.

30. Drinking buddy

Meaning: A friend you drink with.
To Provide an Example: Jack is Mike’s drinking buddy. Sarah is Tim’s juice buddy. Friends are each other’s milk buddies at lunch.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean a close friend for fun. He is my school buddy.

31. Shot glass

Meaning: A small glass for a drink.
To Provide an Example: Jack poured juice into a shot glass. Mom used a shot glass for syrup. Sarah laughed when Tim used a tiny shot glass for milk.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean a very small amount. He took a shot glass of water.

32. Wine and dine

Meaning: To give someone a nice meal and drink.
To Provide an Example: Mom and Dad wine and dined at a fancy cafe. Jack wine and dined his friend for birthday. They wine and dined with lemonade and snacks.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean spending a fun time with someone. Sarah wine and dined her brother with cookies.

33. Buzzed

Meaning: Feeling a little drunk or happy from drinking.
To Provide an Example: Jack was buzzed after soda. Mike was buzzed from juice at the party. Sarah felt buzzed after chocolate milk.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean feeling excited. Tim was buzzed about the game.

34. Cold turkey

Meaning: To stop drinking alcohol or something suddenly.
To Provide an Example: Mike quit soda cold turkey. Jack stopped juice cold turkey for a week. Sarah stopped candy cold turkey.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean stopping a habit suddenly. He went cold turkey on video games.

35. Raise a toast

Meaning: To celebrate by lifting a drink.
To Provide an Example: Friends raised a toast at graduation. Jack raised a toast for Mom’s birthday. They raised a toast with juice.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean to celebrate without drinking alcohol. We raised a toast with milk.

36. Drink someone under the table

Meaning: To drink more than someone else.
To Provide an Example: Mike drank more juice than Jack. Sarah drank more soda than her brother. Friends drank milk faster than Tim.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean to outdo someone in a challenge. Jack ran faster and drank water under the table.

37. Sip by sip

Meaning: Drinking slowly in small amounts.
To Provide an Example: Tim drank water sip by sip. Sarah sipped juice sip by sip. Jack drank cocoa sip by sip.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean doing something slowly. He read the book sip by sip.

38. Taproom

Meaning: A place to try drinks, like beer or juice.
To Provide an Example: Jack visited a taproom for soda. Friends went to a small taproom for cider. Mom went to a taproom for lemonade.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean a tasting area for fun drinks. They visited a taproom for chocolate milk.

39. Pour out

Meaning: To empty a drink.
To Provide an Example: Jack poured out the last milk. Sarah poured out juice into a glass. Mom poured out soda for friends.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean sharing feelings. He poured out his story to friends.

40. Drink to that

Meaning: To agree with something by raising a drink.
To Provide an Example: Friends said “drink to that” after winning. Jack said “drink to that” with juice. Sarah said “drink to that” after the game.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean showing agreement or support. Mom said “drink to that” when Dad cleaned the kitchen.

41. Irish coffee

Meaning: Coffee with alcohol.
To Provide an Example: Dad drank Irish coffee at the cafe. Friends joked about Irish coffee with cocoa. Jack tried Irish coffee flavor in ice cream.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean a strong coffee. Mom served Irish coffee without alcohol.

42. On tap

Meaning: A drink available from a tap, like beer or soda.
To Provide an Example: Soda is on tap at the party. Juice is on tap for kids. Friends got milk on tap at lunch.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean ready to use. Snacks are on tap for the picnic.

43. Brew master

Meaning: Someone who makes drinks like beer or tea very well.
To Provide an Example: Dad is a brew master with coffee. Jack is a brew master with cocoa. Mom is a brew master with lemonade.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean someone very skilled at making something. She is a brew master of cookies.

44. Bottom shelf

Meaning: The cheaper drinks at a store.
To Provide an Example: Jack picked juice from the bottom shelf. Mom grabbed soda from the bottom shelf. Sarah got milk from the bottom shelf.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean something not very special. Tim used the bottom shelf pencils for homework.

45. Beer goggles

Meaning: Alcohol makes people look more attractive.
To Provide an Example: Jack joked about beer goggles with soda. Friends laughed about beer goggles at the party. Sarah pretended beer goggles worked with juice.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean seeing things differently after a change. Tim felt beer goggles with his new glasses.

46. Drink like a sailor

Meaning: To drink alcohol a lot and often.
To Provide an Example: Jack drank like a sailor at the party. Mike drank soda like a sailor after the game. Sarah joked that her dad drinks like a sailor on weekends.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean doing something a lot. Tim reads like a sailor after school.

47. Happy hour

Meaning: A time with cheaper drinks, usually in restaurants.
To Provide an Example: Dad went to happy hour with friends. Mom bought juice at happy hour. Jack visited happy hour at a pizza place.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean a fun time with friends. They had a happy hour playing games.

48. Drink it down

Meaning: To finish drinking something.
To Provide an Example: Tim drank down his water quickly. Jack drank down his milkshake. Sarah drank down her juice before lunch.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean finishing a task quickly. Mom drank down the last bit of cleaning before dinner.

49. Brewpub

Meaning: A small place where drinks are made and sold.
To Provide an Example: Dad visited a brewpub for coffee. Friends went to a brewpub for soda. Jack tried cocoa at the brewpub.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean a small café or shop. They visited a brewpub for snacks.

50. Liquor up

Meaning: To add alcohol to a drink.
To Provide an Example: Dad liquored up his coffee. Jack liquored up the hot chocolate jokingly. Mom didn’t liquored up her juice.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean to make something stronger. She liquored up the lemonade with extra flavor.

51. Drink like a lord

Meaning: To drink in a fancy or generous way.
To Provide an Example: Jack drank like a lord at the party. Mom drank like a lord with her tea. Friends drank like a lord at the picnic.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean enjoying something fully. Sarah read like a lord in the library.

52. Punch drunk

Meaning: Feeling dizzy or silly after drinking a lot.
To Provide an Example: Tim was punch drunk after soda. Jack was punch drunk after juice. Sarah felt punch drunk after cocoa.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean being confused or tired. Mom felt punch drunk after cleaning the house.

53. Watered down

Meaning: Making a drink weaker by adding water.
To Provide an Example: Mom watered down the lemonade. Jack watered down juice for kids. Sarah watered down tea for breakfast.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean making a story less serious. He watered down the homework instructions.

54. Sip of comfort

Meaning: Drinking something that makes you feel better.
To Provide an Example: Jack had a sip of comfort with cocoa. Mom had a sip of comfort with tea. Sarah had a sip of comfort with milk.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean something that makes you happy. Reading a book was a sip of comfort.

55. Cheers to that

Meaning: Agreeing or celebrating by raising a drink.
To Provide an Example: Friends said “cheers to that” after the game. Jack said “cheers to that” with juice. Sarah said “cheers to that” after finishing homework.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean agreeing happily. Mom said “cheers to that” when Dad cooked dinner.

56. Drink one’s fill

Meaning: To drink as much as you want.
To Provide an Example: Jack drank his fill of milk. Sarah drank her fill of juice. Friends drank their fill of soda at lunch.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean doing something fully. He read his fill of books on vacation.

57. Brew up courage

Meaning: To get courage to do something.
To Provide an Example: Jack brewed up courage to speak in class. Sarah brewed up courage to ask a question. Tim brewed up courage to try new food.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean preparing for something. Mom brewed up courage to start the project.

58. Drink from the fountain

Meaning: To enjoy or learn from something fully.
To Provide an Example: Sarah drank from the fountain of knowledge at school. Jack drank from the fountain of stories at the library. Friends drank from the fountain of fun at the park.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean getting lots of something. They drank from the fountain of candy at the party.

59. Raise the bar

Meaning: To do better than before.
To Provide an Example: Jack raised the bar on his lemonade recipe. Sarah raised the bar for school projects. Mom raised the bar with her chocolate cake.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean improving a standard. Friends raised the bar for the game.

60. Spill one’s drink

Meaning: Accidentally drop or spill a drink.
To Provide an Example: Jack spilled his milk. Sarah spilled her juice at lunch. Mike spilled soda on the table.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean sharing information by mistake. He spilled the secret to his friend.

61. Drink in the view

Meaning: To enjoy looking at something fully.
To Provide an Example: Jack drank in the view of the mountains. Sarah drank in the view of the lake. Friends drank in the view of the sunset.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean noticing details carefully. Mom drank in the view of the classroom decorations.

62. Take a nip

Meaning: To take a small drink.
To Provide an Example: Jack took a nip of juice. Sarah took a nip of milk. Friends took a nip of cocoa at lunch.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean a small taste of something. Tim took a nip of candy.

63. Liquid courage

Meaning: Alcohol gives someone bravery.
To Provide an Example: Jack joked about liquid courage with soda. Sarah laughed about liquid courage before the game. Tim used liquid courage with cocoa before speaking.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean anything that helps someone feel brave. Reading the story gave him liquid courage.

64. Drink away

Meaning: To try to forget worries by drinking.
To Provide an Example: Jack drank away his sadness with juice. Sarah drank away her tiredness with milk. Tim drank away his worry with cocoa.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean trying to forget problems in other ways. He played games to drink away stress.

65. Bottoms up forever

Meaning: To drink fully and celebrate.
To Provide an Example: Friends said bottoms up forever with juice. Jack said bottoms up forever at lunch. Sarah said bottoms up forever with milkshakes.
Alternative Meaning: Can also mean enjoying something completely. They played games bottoms up forever.

Fill in the Blanks Exercises

After the long soccer game, Jack _______ his water to feel better.
At Mom’s birthday party, everyone said _______ before drinking juice.
Dad stopped drinking soda for a week and is now _______.
Tim likes to drink chocolate milk _______ after school.
Sarah accidentally _______ her milkshake at lunch.
At the baseball game, friends said _______ after winning.
Mike always drinks his lemonade _______ to enjoy it slowly.
Mom poured out some lemonade to _______ her grandmother who passed away.
Jack and Mike went on a soda _______ after finishing homework.
Dad likes his iced tea _______ with ice cubes on hot days.
Friends toasted with juice to _______ their team’s win.
Jack drank like a _______ at the picnic with lemonade.
Sarah used a shot glass to take a small _______ of milk.
Mom brewed up some tea to _______ everyone’s morning.
Friends raised a glass to _______ Sarah’s new bike.
Tim tried a sip of juice to _______ his dry throat.
Jack spilled the soda but said it was okay to _______ the mess.
Dad said bottoms up before everyone _______ their chocolate milk.
Mom watered down the lemonade to make it _______ for the kids.
Jack drank his cocoa slowly, enjoying it _______ sip by sip.

Answers

drank down
cheers
on the wagon
bottoms up
spilled
drink to that
sip by sip
pour one out
bender
on the rocks
raise a toast
sailor
nip
brew up
celebrate
wet your whistle
clean up
finished
weaker
sip by sip

Conclusion

Drinking idioms help us understand how people talk about drinks and life. They show feelings, fun, and lessons in just a few words. Learning these idioms makes reading and speaking more interesting.

By practicing these idioms, we can use them in real life with friends and family. They help us explain ideas quickly and clearly. Remembering them can also make stories, games, and conversations more fun. Drinking idioms are simple, useful, and easy to enjoy every day.