cup of tea

Meaning

Literally, this refers to a single serving of the hot beverage tea in a cup. Idiomatically, it can refer to something one likes or is interested in (often used in the negative: 'not my cup of tea'). At the A2 level, the focus is primarily on the literal beverage.

Examples

• Would you like a hot cup of tea with some honey?

  Would you like a hot cup of tea with some honey?

• I always drink a cup of tea in the morning instead of coffee.

  I always drink a cup of tea in the morning instead of coffee.

• She offered me a cup of tea when I arrived at her house.

  She offered me a cup of tea when I arrived at her house.

• He sat down with a book and a warm cup of tea.

  He sat down with a book and a warm cup of tea.

• Do you want some milk in your cup of tea?

  Do you want some milk in your cup of tea?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ A cup tea.

  ✓ A cup of tea.

  In English, you must use the preposition 'of' to connect the container ('cup') with its contents ('tea').

• ✗ A tea cup.

  ✓ A cup of tea.

  A 'teacup' is the physical cup itself (empty). 'A cup of tea' is the cup filled with the beverage.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After a long day, there is nothing better than a warm ___.

  💡 A hot beverage made with tea leaves.

  Show answer

  cup of tea

• Would you prefer a cup of coffee or a ___?

  💡 A common hot herbal or black drink.

  Show answer

  cup of tea