← Home

Food & Cooking

Expressions for restaurants, recipes, and culinary contexts

food-cooking B2

take it with a grain of salt

Learn how to use 'take it with a grain of salt' to express healthy skepticism about information or advice that might be exaggerated or not completely accurate.
food-cooking A2

takeout food

Learn how to use the common everyday phrase 'takeout food' to talk about delicious meals that you buy from a restaurant but choose to eat at home or at the park.
food-cooking C1

temper chocolate

Master the culinary term 'temper chocolate'. Learn its precise meaning, steps, and how to use it in professional baking and kitchen contexts.
food-cooking C1

to die for

Learn how to use the casual, hyperbolic idiom 'to die for' to describe food, drinks, or experiences that are absolutely outstanding and delicious.
SPONSORED Speak Mango

🎓 Everything English

Unlimited English feed for the price of a cup of coffee

☕️ $5.99/mo All-in-one Membership · Best value

Join Membership →
food-cooking B2

toss a salad

Learn the correct cooking usage of 'toss a salad' in English. Explore natural examples, common mistakes, and practice exercises.
food-cooking B1

undercooked meat

Learn how to use the phrase 'undercooked meat' in English to talk about food safety, cooking mistakes, and restaurant experiences safely.
food-cooking B2

variety is the spice of life

Learn how to use 'variety is the spice of life' to express that new and different experiences make life exciting. Perfect for intermediate English learners.
food-cooking A2

wait for a table

Learn the common restaurant phrase 'wait for a table'. See examples of how to use it when dining out, along with typical mistakes.
food-cooking B2

wash it down

Learn how to use the phrase 'wash it down' to describe drinking something to help swallow or enjoy food.
food-cooking B2

well done steak

Learn how to order a well done steak in English, understand what it means for the meat's preparation, and see common mistakes to avoid.
food-cooking B2

whisk the eggs

Learn how to use the cooking term 'whisk the eggs' in English. Perfect your kitchen vocabulary with examples, mistakes, and practice.
SPONSORED Speak Mango

🎓 Everything English

Real native nuance you will not find in textbooks!

💬 Authentic native nuance · Real-life expressions

Learn Real Nuance →
food-cooking B1

whole wheat

Learn how to use 'whole wheat' in English to describe healthy grain options, baking ingredients, and menu items. Boost your vocabulary with natural examples.
food-cooking B2

wolf down

Learn the meaning of 'wolf down' and how to use it to describe eating food very quickly and greedily.
food-cooking B2

work up an appetite

Learn how to use 'work up an appetite' to describe doing physical activity to make yourself hungry before a meal.
food-cooking C1

zest a lemon

Discover how to zest a lemon to add intense citrus flavor to your dishes. Learn the correct technique, avoid common mistakes, and practice.
food-cooking B1

boil over

Learn how to use the phrasal verb 'boil over' in cooking contexts and metaphorical situations, complete with natural examples and practice exercises.
food-cooking B2

bring to a simmer

Learn how to use the cooking term 'bring to a simmer' in recipes and kitchen conversations.
food-cooking B1

chop up

Master the phrasal verb 'chop up' to describe cutting food into smaller pieces when cooking.
food-cooking B2

dig in

Learn how to use the casual English idiom 'dig in' to invite people to start eating, featuring natural examples, common mistakes, and practice exercises.
food-cooking B1

do the dishes

Learn how to use the common English phrase 'do the dishes' to talk about washing plates, cups, and cutlery after a meal, with examples and exercises.