Idioms with Food
Watch four videos using idioms with food in conversation.
Too many cooks spoil the broth
Man: How is the new marketing campaign coming along?
Woman: Not good. We have all these ideas but no one agrees on anything.
Man: Sounds like you have too many people adding input.
Woman: Definitely! As they say, too many cooks spoil the broth.
Man: Indeed.
Spill the beans
Man: Hey, so I hear you are transferring to New York.
Woman: What? What are you are talking about?
Man: The boss told me he was transferring you.
Woman: No one told me that.
Man: Oh no! Did I just spill the beans?
Woman: Ah, yeah. It appears you may have.
Man: Well, you better talk to the boss … but you didn’t hear it from me.
Woman: Don’t worry. I’ll cover you.
Hand in the cookie jar
Man: Did you hear what happened to Jack?
Woman: No, what?
Man: He was fired yesterday.
Woman: Really, why?
Man: He got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
Woman: Really, how?
Man: He was using his travel budget for personal expenses.
Woman: Oh, no! He seemed like such an honest guy.
Man: Well, looks can be deceiving I guess.
Get egg on your face
Man: How was your presentation?
Woman: Not good. I made a total fool of myself.
Man: Oh, I am sure it was not that bad.
Woman: No, it was terrible. During the presentation, I used the wrong slide deck.
Man: Oh, no!
Woman: It was the slide deck for another client - their main competitor.
Man: How embarrassing!
Woman: Yeah, I totally got egg of my face.
Take with a grain of salt
Man: So, how are the survey results looking?
Woman: Pretty good. 80% of those polled said they like our new product.
Man: Well, I would take those results with a grain of salt.
Woman: Why do you say that?
Man: Because only loyal customers took the survey.
Woman: Oh, I see. Still, it’s a good start.
Man: True, just a little misleading.
Idioms about Food
Idioms, especially about food, are often used to summarize or characterize a situation.
Broth is the liquid flavor of soup. This phrase means that when too many people contribute to something, it decreases in quality.
- The project failed because everyone tried to lead. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
- Let one person take charge—too many cooks will spoil the broth.
To accidentally reveal something that was secret.
- It was a secret until he spilled the beans.
- Don’t say anything or you’ll spill the beans!
To get caught doing something wrong, usually stealing. It refers to kids getting caught trying to get cookies.
- The manager got caught with his hand in the cookie jar when they found the missing funds.
- She was caught with her hand in the cookie jar when the teacher saw her cheating.
Do something that is embarrassing or shameful in public. It refers to people throwing eggs in disgust at officials or performers.
- He got egg on his face after forgetting the client’s name.
- The politician got egg on his face when the video leaked.
To believe something is only partially true.
- I take what he says with a grain of salt—he often exaggerates.
- That review was too positive; take it with a grain of salt.
