Everyday Life - Drinking & Smoking

Explore English idioms that relate to smoking and drinking with examples like "lung dart" and "drink like a fish".

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to [drown] {one's} sorrows [phrase]

to become drunk just to forget something upsetting or disturbing

Ex: Many people tend to drown their sorrows in times of grief or loss , but it 's not a healthy long-term coping mechanism .

(as|) drunk as a (skunk|fiddler) [phrase]

so intoxicated with alcohol that one starts behaving like a lunatic

Ex:

(as|) drunk as a lord [phrase]

having consumed an excessive amount of alcohol and hence unable to think or act normally

Ex:

(as|) drunk as a wheelbarrow [phrase]

incapable of acting or thinking like a normal person would, due to having consumed an excessive amount of alcohol

Ex:

to [drink] like a fish [phrase]

to drink too much of alcoholic drinks on a regular basis

Ex: After the stressful week he had , he decided to relax and drink like a fish with his friends at the bar .

to [go] to {one's} [head] [phrase]

(of alcoholic drinks) to make one extremely drunk

Ex: After a couple of shots , the tequila started to go to her head , and she became much more talkative .

here is to {sb/sth} [sentence]

used before drinking in honor of a person or thing

Ex: Here 's to good health and prosperity in the coming year !

stone sober [noun]

someone who is not in any way affected by chemical substances or alcoholic drinks

Ex: In the interest of her health , she chooses to stay stone sober and avoid alcohol altogether .

to [get] a load on [phrase]

to become extremely drunk

Ex: After a long week at work , he often heads to the pub to get a load on and relax .

to [give] {sb} a buzz [phrase]

to make someone become so drunk that they have no control over their thoughts or actions whatsoever

Ex:

to [wet] {one's} whistle [phrase]

to have a glass of something, particularly an alcoholic drink

Ex:

on the rocks [phrase]

(of drinks, particularly alcoholic beverages) with ice cubes in the glass

Ex: He usually prefers his scotch neat , but today he 's in the mood for it on the rocks .

(as|) high as a kite [phrase]

heavily under the influence of alcoholic drinks or drugs

Ex:

to [have] one too many [phrase]

to drink an excessive amout of alcohol and become extremely drunk

Ex: After the office Christmas party , several employees had one too many and had to take a cab back .

on the bottle [phrase]

used to refer to someone who tends to drink an excessive amount of alcohol

Ex: She tried to support her friend who was " on the bottle " by encouraging them to seek help .

hair of the dog [phrase]

an alcoholic drink consumed to cure a headache that comes after excessive drinking

Ex: She jokingly suggested that the best way to deal with a hangover is to have another drink , following the " hair of the dog " principle .

coffin nail [noun]

used to refer to a cigarette, often to highlight the health risks associated with smoking

Ex: Some people find it challenging to give up coffin nails , even though they know the health risks .

cancer stick [noun]

used to refer to a cigarette, often due to the well-known health risks associated with smoking

Ex: The anti-smoking campaign aimed to discourage young people from ever trying a cancer stick .

lung dart [noun]

used for referring to a cigarette, often implying the harmful effects of smoking on one's lungs

Ex: The graphic images on cigarette packs are meant to deter people from purchasing lung darts .

Dutch courage [noun]

the strength or confidence that is obtained from drinking an excessive amount of alcoholic drinks

Ex:

on the wagon [phrase]

used to refer to a priod of time in which one avoids drinking alcoholic drinks

Ex: Being on the wagon can be a significant lifestyle change for someone who used to drink regularly .

to [hit] the bottle [phrase]

to start drinking an excessive amount of alcohol, particularly on regular basis

Ex: After losing his job , he hit the bottle to numb the stress and disappointment .

one over the eight [phrase]

used to refer to an occasion in which one drinks too much alcoholic drinks and becomes drunk

Ex: He started telling embarrassing stories at the party , a clear sign that he 's one over the eight .

to [smoke] like a chimney [phrase]

to smoke a great number of cigarettes

Ex: Tom 's clothes always smelled of smoke because he smoked like a chimney , disregarding the discomfort it caused to others around him .

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Appetite	Drinking & Smoking	Food & Hunger	Relieving Oneself
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