Food idioms are a fun and relatable way to teach English learners common expressions used in everyday conversation. Since everyone eats, these idioms are easy to remember and can spark great discussion.

Here are 12 popular food-related idioms that you can introduce to your ESL students, complete with definitions and examples. Have your students come up with their own sentences and give bonus points or praise to students who incorporate these idioms in their speaking or writing over the next week!

1) Piece of cake

Meaning: Something very easy to do

Example: That exam was a piece of cake! I finished with 20 minutes to spare.

2) Spill the beans

Meaning: To reveal a secret

Example: He accidentally spilled the beans about her surprise party. Oops.

3) Cool as a cucumber

Meaning: Very calm and relaxed, even in a difficult situation

Example: She was as cool as a cucumber during the interrogation.

4) In a pickle

Meaning: In a difficult or tough situation

Example: I’m at the airport and I forgot my passport. Now I’m in a real pickle.

5) Apple of someone’s eye

Meaning: Someone who is very special and loved

Example: His daughter is the apple of his eye.

6) Butter someone up

Meaning: To flatter someone to gain favor

Example: He’s trying to butter up the boss so he can get a raise.

7) Take something with a grain of salt

Meaning: Don’t take it too seriously or literally

Example: She tends to exaggerate when she shares a story, so take it with a grain of salt.

8) Icing on the cake

Meaning: Something that makes a good situation even better

Example: The sunny weather was the icing on the cake during our vacation.

9) Cry over spilled milk

Meaning: To be upset about something that already happened and can’t be changed

Example: Yes, we lost the game, but there’s no use crying over spilled milk.

10) Hot potato

Meaning: A controversial or difficult issue that people don’t want to deal with

Example: The topic of immigration is currently a political hot potato.

11) Bring home the bacon

Meaning: To earn money to support a family

Example: She works three jobs to bring home the bacon.

12) Have a lot on your plate

Meaning: To be very busy or have many responsibilities

Example: I’d love to help you with that project, but I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.

We hope you enjoy teaching these idioms with your ESL students! What other food idioms do you know? Share them in the comments below!