can of soup

Meaning

This phrase refers to a cylindrical metal container filled with prepared soup. It is a common pantry staple that is convenient, quick to prepare, and has a long shelf life.

Examples

• I didn't feel like cooking, so I just heated up a can of soup.

  I didn't feel like cooking, so I just heated up a can of soup.

• We always keep a few cans of soup in the pantry for emergencies.

  We always keep a few cans of soup in the pantry for emergencies.

• He opened a can of soup and served it with some warm bread.

  He opened a can of soup and served it with some warm bread.

• Can you check the expiration date on that can of soup?

  Can you check the expiration date on that can of soup?

• She donated a can of soup and some pasta to the local food drive.

  She donated a can of soup and some pasta to the local food drive.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He opened a pot of soup.

  ✓ He opened a can of soup.

  A 'pot' is a cooking vessel or a plastic container for fresh soup, whereas 'can' specifically refers to the sealed metal container.

• ✗ I need a soup can for dinner.

  ✓ I need a can of soup for dinner.

  'Soup can' usually refers to the empty metal container itself, while 'can of soup' refers to the container with the food inside.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you're cold, I can heat up a ___ for lunch.

  💡 A metal container filled with liquid food like tomato or chicken noodle.

  Show answer

  can of soup

• Don't forget to use the can opener to open that ___.

  💡 A metal container of liquid meal.

  Show answer

  can of soup