Sometimes, people use fun or clever phrases when they talk about drinking alcohol. These phrases are called idioms. Idioms don’t always mean what the words say. Instead, they have a special meaning that people understand from how they are used. Knowing these idioms can help you understand what someone really means in a story, a movie, or even in a conversation.
In this article, you will learn some common idioms about alcohol. Each one has a meaning and examples to help you see how it works. There will also be a short quiz to check what you’ve learned. These phrases are used often by adults, so it’s helpful to understand them even if you don’t use them yourself.
Idioms for Alcohol
1. Hit the bottle
Meaning: Drink alcohol often
Sample Sentences: After the game, he hit the bottle to relax. / They say he hit the bottle after losing his job.
Other Way to Say: Started drinking / Drank too much
2. Bottoms up
Meaning: A way to say “Cheers!” before drinking
Sample Sentences: She raised her glass and said, “Bottoms up!” / Everyone shouted “Bottoms up” before sipping.
Other Way to Say: Cheers / Drink up
3. On the rocks
Meaning: Alcohol served over ice
Sample Sentences: He asked for his drink on the rocks. / She likes her juice on the rocks too.
Other Way to Say: With ice / Chilled
4. Three sheets to the wind
Meaning: Very drunk
Sample Sentences: After the party, he was three sheets to the wind. / You could tell he was three sheets to the wind by his walk.
Other Way to Say: Really drunk / Staggering
5. Have a nightcap
Meaning: A small drink before bed
Sample Sentences: He always has a nightcap before going to sleep. / They shared a nightcap after dinner.
Other Way to Say: Last drink / Final sip
6. Wet your whistle
Meaning: Take a drink
Sample Sentences: It was hot, so he wet his whistle. / She stopped talking to wet her whistle.
Other Way to Say: Take a sip / Quench thirst
7. Raise a glass
Meaning: Make a toast
Sample Sentences: Let’s raise a glass to the team! / He raised a glass to thank his family.
Other Way to Say: Toast / Say cheers
8. Under the influence
Meaning: Affected by alcohol
Sample Sentences: He was driving under the influence. / She was under the influence and needed help.
Other Way to Say: Not sober / Had been drinking
9. Hit the sauce
Meaning: Drink alcohol regularly
Sample Sentences: He hit the sauce again after work. / People say he’s hitting the sauce too much.
Other Way to Say: Drinking again / On alcohol
10. Take the edge off
Meaning: Drink to feel less stress
Sample Sentences: He took a drink to take the edge off after work. / She took the edge off with a cool drink.
Other Way to Say: Relax a bit / Calm down
11. Knock one back
Meaning: Drink a quick glass of alcohol
Sample Sentences: He knocked one back and smiled. / She likes to knock one back with friends.
Other Way to Say: Take a drink / Have a quick sip
12. Liquid courage
Meaning: Alcohol that makes people feel braver
Sample Sentences: He needed some liquid courage to speak up. / With liquid courage, she danced in front of the crowd.
Other Way to Say: Drinking makes them brave / Bold from a drink
13. Belly up to the bar
Meaning: Walk up to order a drink
Sample Sentences: He bellied up to the bar and asked for a soda. / She bellied up and got some lemonade.
Other Way to Say: Walked to get a drink / Ordered at the counter
14. One too many
Meaning: Drank more than needed
Sample Sentences: He had one too many and felt sick. / After one too many, he started telling stories.
Other Way to Say: Drank too much / Had extra
15. A stiff drink
Meaning: A strong alcoholic drink
Sample Sentences: After the news, he needed a stiff drink. / She poured a stiff drink and sat down.
Other Way to Say: Strong drink / Hard drink
16. Drown your sorrows
Meaning: Drink to forget sadness
Sample Sentences: He drowned his sorrows after the loss. / She tried to drown her sorrows with wine.
Other Way to Say: Drink to feel better / Hide sadness
17. Pop a cork
Meaning: Open a bottle of alcohol
Sample Sentences: They popped a cork to celebrate. / He popped a cork and smiled.
Other Way to Say: Open a bottle / Start the drink
18. Booze it up
Meaning: Drink a lot of alcohol
Sample Sentences: They boozed it up during the party. / He boozed it up on the weekend.
Other Way to Say: Drank heavily / Partied with drinks
19. Over the limit
Meaning: Drank more than allowed to drive safely
Sample Sentences: He was over the limit and got a ride. / She didn’t drive she was over the limit.
Other Way to Say: Had too much / Unsafe to drive
20. Cold one
Meaning: A cold drink, usually beer
Sample Sentences: He opened a cold one after work. / She handed him a cold one on the porch.
Other Way to Say: Chilled drink / Cool bottle
21. In your cups
Meaning: Drunk or affected by alcohol
Sample Sentences: He was in his cups and needed help. / She laughed a lot when in her cups.
Other Way to Say: Tipsy / Not sober
22. Paint the town red
Meaning: Go out drinking and having fun
Sample Sentences: They went out to paint the town red. / She painted the town red with friends on Friday.
Other Way to Say: Party night / Out for fun
23. Spiked
Meaning: A drink with alcohol added
Sample Sentences: Be careful this punch is spiked. / He drank the spiked cider by accident.
Other Way to Say: Has alcohol / Mixed in drink
24. Raise a toast
Meaning: Say something nice before everyone drinks
Sample Sentences: They raised a toast to their teacher. / He raised a toast for his best friend’s birthday.
Other Way to Say: Give cheers / Say kind words
25. Drink like a fish
Meaning: Drink a lot of alcohol
Sample Sentences: He drinks like a fish on weekends. / She used to drink like a fish, but not anymore.
Other Way to Say: Drinks too much / Always sipping
26. Happy hour
Meaning: A short time when drinks are cheaper
Sample Sentences: They went out for happy hour. / She met friends during happy hour after work.
Other Way to Say: Drink special / Cheaper drinks time
27. Last call
Meaning: Final chance to order a drink
Sample Sentences: The bartender shouted, “Last call!” / They ran in before the last call.
Other Way to Say: Final round / End of service
28. Toast of the town
Meaning: The person everyone is happy to celebrate
Sample Sentences: He was the toast of the town at his party. / She was the toast of the town after the big win.
Other Way to Say: Honored guest / Everyone’s favorite
29. Sauced
Meaning: Drunk
Sample Sentences: He was totally sauced after dinner. / She got sauced and sang loudly.
Other Way to Say: Drunk / Out of it
30. A round on me
Meaning: I will pay for this round of drinks
Sample Sentences: He said, “A round on me,” and paid for everyone. / She smiled and said, “Next round’s on me.”
Other Way to Say: My treat / I’ll pay
31. Pour one out
Meaning: Spill a little drink to honor someone
Sample Sentences: He poured one out for his old friend. / She poured one out before drinking.
Other Way to Say: Show respect / Remember someone
32. Buzzed
Meaning: Slightly drunk, not fully
Sample Sentences: He felt buzzed after one drink. / She was just buzzed, not drunk.
Other Way to Say: Tipsy / Lightly affected
33. Drink someone under the table
Meaning: Drink more than another person
Sample Sentences: He could drink anyone under the table. / She drank him under the table at the party.
Other Way to Say: Out-drank / More drinking
34. Sip and chat
Meaning: Drink and talk with friends
Sample Sentences: They like to sip and chat after work. / She sipped and chatted with her cousin.
Other Way to Say: Drink and talk / Hang out
35. Poured another
Meaning: Got another drink
Sample Sentences: He poured another and sat down. / She poured another for her friend.
Other Way to Say: Got a refill / More to drink
36. Knocked out cold
Meaning: Passed out after drinking too much
Sample Sentences: He was knocked out cold on the couch. / She drank too much and was knocked out cold.
Other Way to Say: Passed out / Fully asleep
37. Tipped the bottle
Meaning: Started drinking
Sample Sentences: He tipped the bottle after dinner. / She tipped the bottle and sat by the fire.
Other Way to Say: Began drinking / Took a sip
38. Had a few
Meaning: Drank some alcohol
Sample Sentences: He had a few and got a little loud. / She had a few before dancing.
Other Way to Say: Drank a little / Had some drinks
39. Drink to that
Meaning: Agree and celebrate with a drink
Sample Sentences: “To your success!” he said. “I’ll drink to that!” / She smiled and said, “I’ll drink to that.”
Other Way to Say: Cheers / I agree
40. A glass too far
Meaning: Had one drink too many
Sample Sentences: He went a glass too far and felt sick. / That extra drink was a glass too far.
Other Way to Say: Too much / One extra
41. Bottled up
Meaning: Keep feelings inside (can relate to drinking or emotions)
Sample Sentences: He bottled up his feelings all day. / She bottled up her stress until she cried.
Other Way to Say: Hid feelings / Held it in
42. Lit
Meaning: Very drunk (can also mean excited, but here it’s about drinking)
Sample Sentences: He got lit at the party. / She was lit and dancing wildly.
Other Way to Say: Really drunk / Out of control
43. Have a drink on me
Meaning: I’ll pay for your drink
Sample Sentences: He said, “Have a drink on me,” and smiled. / She offered, “This one’s on me.”
Other Way to Say: My treat / I’m paying
44. Bottle it up
Meaning: Hide or hold back emotions
Sample Sentences: Don’t bottle it up talk to someone. / She bottled it up instead of crying.
Other Way to Say: Keep it in / Hide feelings
45. Nursing a drink
Meaning: Slowly drinking something
Sample Sentences: He sat quietly, nursing a drink. / She was nursing her juice for an hour.
Other Way to Say: Sipping slowly / Taking time
46. Out cold
Meaning: Passed out from drinking
Sample Sentences: He drank too much and was out cold. / She was found out cold on the sofa.
Other Way to Say: Unconscious / Deep sleep
47. Pick your poison
Meaning: Choose your drink
Sample Sentences: The bartender said, “Pick your poison.” / He laughed and said, “Pick your poison lemonade or punch?”
Other Way to Say: Choose a drink / What do you want?
48. Slam one down
Meaning: Drink something quickly
Sample Sentences: He slammed one down before leaving. / She slammed one down and ran off.
Other Way to Say: Drank fast / Gulped
49. Hold your liquor
Meaning: Handle alcohol without getting drunk easily
Sample Sentences: He can really hold his liquor. / She can’t hold her liquor she gets dizzy fast.
Other Way to Say: Handle drinks / Doesn’t get drunk fast
50. Chug
Meaning: Drink all at once
Sample Sentences: He chugged the soda. / They chugged their drinks before the race.
Other Way to Say: Drink quickly / Gulp
51. Tipsy
Meaning: Slightly drunk
Sample Sentences: She was tipsy but still walking fine. / He felt tipsy after one glass.
Other Way to Say: Lightly drunk / A little dizzy
52. Drink it away
Meaning: Try to forget problems by drinking
Sample Sentences: He tried to drink it away after losing. / She drank it away instead of talking.
Other Way to Say: Forget with drink / Avoid pain
53. On a bender
Meaning: Drink for many hours or days
Sample Sentences: He went on a bender all weekend. / She was on a bender after the game.
Other Way to Say: Drank a lot / Long drinking time
54. Swig
Meaning: A quick sip or gulp of drink
Sample Sentences: He took a swig of soda. / She took a swig before speaking.
Other Way to Say: Quick sip / Fast gulp
55. Drink it up
Meaning: Enjoy a drink fully
Sample Sentences: She smiled and drank it up. / He raised his glass and drank it up.
Other Way to Say: Enjoy it / Take it all in
Multiple Choice Quiz: Idioms for Alcohol
1. What does “drink like a fish” mean?
A. Only drink water
B. Drink a lot of alcohol
C. Drink with a straw
2. If someone says “bottoms up,” what are they about to do?
A. Leave the table
B. Go to bed
C. Take a drink
3. What does it mean if someone is “under the influence”?
A. They are feeling sleepy
B. They have alcohol in their body
C. They are following the rules
4. What is a “shot” in drinking terms?
A. A loud sound
B. A small drink of alcohol
C. A drink that takes all day to finish
5. If someone is “three sheets to the wind,” what are they?
A. Very drunk
B. Very tired
C. Very hungry
6. What does “raise a glass” mean?
A. To clean the table
B. To make a toast
C. To ask for more food
7. If a drink is “on the rocks,” how is it served?
A. Frozen solid
B. With ice
C. In a paper cup
8. What does it mean to “call it a night”?
A. Keep partying
B. Go out and walk
C. Stop and go home
9. What does “crack open a cold one” mean?
A. Break a toy
B. Open a cold drink
C. Smash something
10. What is a “beer belly”?
A. A kind of dance
B. A big stomach from drinking beer
C. A food made with beer
11. What does “wet your whistle” mean?
A. Blow a whistle
B. Have a quick drink
C. Whistle loudly
12. What is “liquid courage”?
A. A drink that makes people brave
B. A superhero drink
C. A drink that makes you sleepy
Answer Key
- B – Drink a lot of alcohol
- C – Take a drink
- B – They have alcohol in their body
- B – A small drink of alcohol
- A – Very drunk
- B – To make a toast
- B – With ice
- C – Stop and go home
- B – Open a cold drink
- B – A big stomach from drinking beer
- B – Have a quick drink
- A – A drink that makes people brave
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master! You know these phrases well.
- 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love idioms. Keep going!
- 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there! Review the meanings and try again.
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore the world of love idioms together. You can learn these step by step.
Conclusion
Understanding idioms about alcohol helps you know what people really mean when they use these phrases. Even if you don’t use them yourself, it’s helpful to hear them and know what they are talking about.
Now that you’ve seen the idioms, read examples, and tried a quiz, you’ve taken a good step forward. Keep learning new expressions, you’ll find them in books, shows, and everyday talk.
