Etymology Journal · N
Not my cup of tea
Meaning
- A polite way of saying that you do not like something or that it is not something you are interested in. It expresses personal preference without being rude.
Polite, firm
Used in a sentence
- I appreciate the invite to the opera, but it is just not my cup of tea.
- Spicy food is not really my cup of tea.
- Horror movies are not my cup of tea, so let us watch a comedy instead.
The backstory
This phrase has been around since the 19th century and is a British import. It suggests that while someone else might enjoy a cup of tea, you might prefer something else entirely.
Heard in
Nationwide
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