cup of tea

noun phrase

1
: something one likes or excels in
I see already that storytelling isn't my cup of teaJohn Barth
also : a person suited to one's taste
2
: a thing to be reckoned with : matter
poltergeists are a different cup of teaD. B. W. Lewis

Examples of cup of tea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For many visitors, relaxing with a soothing cup of tea has become a favorite pastime while traveling for business or pleasure. Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025 Fluoride urine levels vary widely throughout the day depending on hydration level, diet, as well as factors like whether a person has just brushed their teeth or drank a cup of tea, says F. Perry Wilson, a physician and professor of public health and medicine at Yale University. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2025 Here, berry-laden scones and a hot cup of tea are just a few of the offerings awaiting visitors to the Penny Farthing Tea Room and Bakery, where the owners have created an oasis devoted to Great Britain. Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 20 May 2025 While neon hues won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s something about a Day-Glo manicure that truly marks the arrival of sunshine season. Mica Ricketts, Refinery29, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cup of tea

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cup of tea was in 1932

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cup of tea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cup%20of%20tea. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cup of tea

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!