Drinking Idioms and What They Mean
Alcohol has inspired a surprising amount of everyday language, and many English expressions draw directly from drinking culture—whether humorously, metaphorically, or quite literally. These idioms appear in conversation, films, and casual writing, and understanding them helps learners recognize both nuance and cultural references. In this article, we’ll explore 7 drinking idioms and their meanings.
Drink like a fish
To drink alcohol excessively and often.
Hair of the dog (that bit you)
Drinking alcohol to relieve a hangover.
Wet your whistle
To have a drink, usually an alcoholic one, especially to satisfy thirst.
Last call
The final opportunity to order drinks before a bar closes.
On the rocks
Served over ice cubes (referring to alcoholic drinks).
Hit the bottle
To start drinking heavily, especially as a response to stress or problems.
Dutch courage
Confidence gained from drinking alcohol.
