Words Borrowed From Food

Name:

Date:

Instructions: English is peppered with food-related words used in surprising non-food contexts. How well do you know these tasty expressions?

1.
If something is described as 'half-baked', what does it mean?
A
Perfectly done
B
Very hot
C
Divided equally
D
Not fully thought through
2.
What does 'bringing home the bacon' mean?
A
Going grocery shopping
B
Earning a living
C
Winning a cooking contest
D
Being generous
3.
If someone is described as 'salty', what does it mean in modern slang?
A
They are experienced
B
They are upset or bitter
C
They love the ocean
D
They eat too much
4.
What does 'a tough cookie' describe?
A
A strong, determined person
B
An old cracker
C
Stale baked goods
D
A difficult recipe
5.
If a plan 'goes pear-shaped', what has happened?
A
It became more complex
B
It succeeded brilliantly
C
It changed direction
D
It went wrong
6.
What does 'breadwinner' mean?
A
The primary earner in a family
B
A baker who wins competitions
C
A bread-making contest
D
Someone who donates food
7.
If something is described as 'cheesy', what does it mean?
A
Yellow in color
B
Cheap and of poor quality or overly sentimental
C
Made with cheese
D
Expensive and luxurious
8.
What does 'spilling the beans' mean?
A
Making a mess
B
Being clumsy
C
Revealing a secret
D
Cooking carelessly
9.
If someone is 'in a pickle', what situation are they in?
A
A swimming pool
B
A jar
C
A difficult situation
D
A kitchen
10.
What does 'a piece of cake' mean?
A
A reward
B
A birthday party
C
Something very easy
D
A dessert portion
11.
If someone says 'that's the icing on the cake', they mean what?
A
An additional good thing on top of something already good
B
The final step in a recipe
C
The situation is too sweet
D
The dessert is ready
12.
What does 'egg on your face' mean?
A
You've been cooking
B
You're wearing a mask
C
You need to wash
D
You look embarrassed or foolish
13.
If someone is 'nutty as a fruitcake', what are they?
A
A bit crazy or eccentric
B
Very sweet
C
Allergic to nuts
D
Healthy
14.
What does it mean to 'sugarcoat' something?
A
Make something unpleasant seem more appealing
B
Add sweetener to food
C
Decorate a cake
D
Preserve fruit
15.
If something is described as the 'cream of the crop', what is it?
A
Very white in color
B
A farming term
C
A dairy product
D
The best of a group

Answer Key

Question 1

D. Not fully thought through

Question 2

B. Earning a living

Question 3

B. They are upset or bitter

Question 4

A. A strong, determined person

Question 5

D. It went wrong

Question 6

A. The primary earner in a family

Question 7

B. Cheap and of poor quality or overly sentimental

Question 8

C. Revealing a secret

Question 9

C. A difficult situation

Question 10

C. Something very easy

Question 11

A. An additional good thing on top of something already good

Question 12

D. You look embarrassed or foolish

Question 13

A. A bit crazy or eccentric

Question 14

A. Make something unpleasant seem more appealing

Question 15

D. The best of a group

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