carton of milk

Meaning

This phrase refers to a cardboard or plastic container (usually rectangular or gabled) used for packaging milk. It is the standard unit of measurement when buying or pouring milk at home.

Examples

• I bought a carton of milk and some eggs on my way home.

  I bought a carton of milk and some eggs on my way home.

• Make sure to put the carton of milk back in the fridge so it doesn't spoil.

  Make sure to put the carton of milk back in the fridge so it doesn't spoil.

• He poured the rest of the carton of milk into his cereal bowl.

  He poured the rest of the carton of milk into his cereal bowl.

• There is an unopened carton of milk behind the orange juice.

  There is an unopened carton of milk behind the orange juice.

• The school lunches always come with a small carton of milk.

  The school lunches always come with a small carton of milk.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to buy a box of milk.

  ✓ I need to buy a carton of milk.

  'Box' usually refers to dry goods (like cereal or shoes), whereas 'carton' is the specific term for liquid-holding cardboard containers.

• ✗ She drank a packet of milk.

  ✓ She drank a carton of milk.

  'Packet' is used for small plastic or paper bags containing dry goods or sauces, not liquid milk.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Please smell the ___ to see if it has gone bad.

  💡 The cardboard container holding the white dairy liquid.

  Show answer

  carton of milk

• He accidentally spilled the entire ___ all over the kitchen counter.

  💡 The rectangular container containing milk.

  Show answer

  carton of milk