Idiom
Not my Cup of Tea: Origin and Meaning
Meaning
If something is not your cup of tea, you do not like it or you are not interested in it.
Origin
The positive version of this expression, “it’s my cup of tea”, has been in use since the late 1800s when the British started using the phrase “my cup of tea” to describe something they liked. (We all know that the British love their tea!) In the 1920s, the word ‘not’ was added to the phrase to describe something that they didn’t like.
The positive version of this expression, “it’s my cup of tea”, has been in use since the late 1800s when the British started using the phrase “my cup of tea” to describe something they liked. (We all know that the British love their tea!) In the 1920s, the word ‘not’ was added to the phrase to describe something that they didn’t like.Examples
“Some people love playing cricket, but it’s
not my cup of tea.”
Peter: “Did you listen to the CD I gave you?”
Kevin: “Yes, I listened to it twice but it’s not really my cup of tea.”
“I know that horror films are not your cup of tea, but you should definitely see this one – it’s amazing!”
You can also use the opposite:
“I really like Van Gogh’s paintings. They’re just my cup of tea.”
not my cup of tea.”
Peter: “Did you listen to the CD I gave you?”
Kevin: “Yes, I listened to it twice but it’s not really my cup of tea.”
“I know that horror films are not your cup of tea, but you should definitely see this one – it’s amazing!”
You can also use the opposite:
“I really like Van Gogh’s paintings. They’re just my cup of tea.”
