Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
not one's cup of tea

简体
not one's cup of tea
特长

Date: Feb 16 2012

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

“I could try to play more good guy parts, but it’s not my cup of tea.”

- Actor Mark Wahlberg on playing a bad boy in most of his movies. (Us Weekly)

“我可以尝试扮演更多正面角色,但这并不是我的擅长。”
- 演员马克·沃尔伯格 (Mark Wahlberg) 谈论在其大多数电影中出演反面角色。

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

not one’s preference, not something one really enjoys

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

The British love their tea. So it isn’t surprising to hear an English expression that uses tea. And it’s not just the British who use the expression not my cup of tea. Even though most Americans prefer coffee over tea, they’ll still say something is not their cup of tea if they don’t like it. An American might even say that tea is not his cup of tea!

Since many English people love tea, a cup of tea came to mean something pleasant and enjoyable. So something that is not your cup of tea is something that you don’t find enjoyable. It’s something you do not like or prefer.

The actor Mark Wahlberg may not be a tea drinker, but he still uses the expression not my cup of tea to talk about the kind of characters he prefers playing in movies. Wahlberg doesn’t like playing characters who are too perfect or nice. That’s just not his cup of tea. He would rather play bad boys or tough guys. You could say the characters he likes to play aren’t like tea at all, because they aren’t pleasant, easy-going or cozy. They’re more like a strong shot of whiskey.

What kinds of movies, hobbies, activities or foods are not your cup of tea?

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

“Baseball is not my cup of tea. I’d rather watch basketball.”

“Mark needs to lose weight, but exercising is not his cup of tea.”

“Some people like musicals, but they are not my cup of tea.”

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

Something that's not in accord with one's liking or taste.
by candycandice
goodmahsa not one's chosen or preferred thing
by goodmahsa
Fateme.A "It's not my cup of tea" means "I don't like it."
by Fateme.A
Buttafly Something not to your liking. You could also say: "It's not my thing"
by Buttafly
Julissita It is not my favorite thing to do.
by Julissita

Want to guess next week's slang?

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Comments

Log in to Comment

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

Snoopyboy, how did you know Parion is here? You are so funny, guys :)

07:20 PM Feb 16 2012 |

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

Ryo, where are you. Will I get the answer?

07:18 PM Feb 16 2012 |

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

I never take close to my heart compliments from men :( that is because of one of shortcomings I have among thousands 

07:17 PM Feb 16 2012 |

1 person likes this

snoopyboy

snoopyboy

Antarctica

: )


 does your father want to sell the electronics stuff he bought you ?

07:15 PM Feb 16 2012 |

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

Snoopyboy, you are sooooooo complementary to every woman here. Your compliments are like a poetry. I can exactly imagine what  person you are in real life. I knew one person who said many compliments to women. He liked to sing the songs special for them using the guitar.


You remind me that person, Women melt after your words as in virtual as in real life. I bet!


Thank you very much. 


I’m an ordinary women and nothing special in me. I like all women “love through my ears”. Every woman like to hear sweet words. Thank you once more :)
 

07:15 PM Feb 16 2012 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

I  ”envy”  you Lesya. 

07:11 PM Feb 16 2012 |

1 person likes this

snoopyboy

snoopyboy

Antarctica

sorry, I just had to point that out,


Please, Parion let me get away with that : )


Ok where were we , cup of tea


Laughing

07:10 PM Feb 16 2012 |

snoopyboy

snoopyboy

Antarctica

 Lesya,your eyes, and radiant smile, you tiny springy hair are features you have that can blow a man’s heart apart.Your beauty is very destructive and lethal , it lets some men paralyzed and others are left shivering with envy and jealousy : )


 

07:08 PM Feb 16 2012 |

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

Ryo, explain me again what did you try to say “I’m one them”??? I’m so stupid 

07:07 PM Feb 16 2012 |

Fateme.A

Fateme.A

New Zealand

Hi Julito


Thank you for your advice. I will try it for sure ;)

07:05 PM Feb 16 2012 |

1 person likes this

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

Snoopyboy, I’m far from the name “saint”. I have thousands shortcomings. 

07:05 PM Feb 16 2012 |

1 person likes this

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

Julito, is it +36 outside still? How I like hot weather Laughing

07:03 PM Feb 16 2012 |

snoopyboy

snoopyboy

Antarctica

Kotlesya you have destructive features


don’t be a saint

07:02 PM Feb 16 2012 |

1 person likes this

snoopyboy

snoopyboy

Antarctica

hehehe : )


I l ike your honest tea, Sveta


: )


 

06:57 PM Feb 16 2012 |

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

Jealous and envy are destructive features 

06:55 PM Feb 16 2012 |

1 person likes this

Sveta_001

Sveta_001

Russian Federation

it;s a very useful information for me)now i know how to use this expression and cam make an impression  my friends:-))

06:54 PM Feb 16 2012 |

1 person likes this

snoopyboy

snoopyboy

Antarctica

you’re not wrong Fateme it’s a natural feeling, like you’ve put it. As long as you can gauge it, you’re fine, because if you don’t manage it it become hatred.


you brought up a great point, that feeling sometimes pushes you to thrive for success.Because when you look at the other person, it makes you realize it’s possible to reach that goal. I totally agree. but it’s bad when on your end you’re not doing anything to seek that success, you’re not seeking any advice.


:)

06:52 PM Feb 16 2012 |

1 person likes this

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

There are lots of people which are in the delight when they feel somebody is jealous  to them. They adore to be the subject of jealousy. How often I heard from people: “He is jealous to me and I like it in him”.

06:51 PM Feb 16 2012 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

Fateme, hello,  to start with, you know that you have this problem, “we are humans with humans weeknesses) work on it  , when that feeling  creeps into your mind ,laugh at it , you will eventually get over it  or feel to a lesser degree.

06:50 PM Feb 16 2012 |

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

Jealousy is a manageable thing ( for me anyway)

06:48 PM Feb 16 2012 |

Likes (22):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast

More English Lessons