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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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English idioms related to Everyday Life
to [drown] {one's} sorrows

to become drunk just to forget something upsetting or disturbing

Ex: He was in the pub drowning his sorrows after the break-up of his relationship. 
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(as|) drunk as a (skunk|fiddler)

so intoxicated with alcohol that one starts behaving like a lunatic

Ex: After the bachelor party, he was as drunk as a skunk and couldn't remember a thing. 
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(as|) drunk as a lord

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

Ex: After the celebration, he stumbled out of the party drunk as a lord. 
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(as|) drunk as a wheelbarrow

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

Ex: After the all-night party, he stumbled around like he was as drunk as a wheelbarrow. 
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to [drink] like a fish

to drink too much of alcoholic drinks on a regular basis

Ex: At the party last night, he drank like a fish and couldn't even remember how he got home. 
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to [go] to {one's} [head]

(of alcoholic drinks) to make one extremely drunk

Ex: He had a few too many drinks, and the alcohol quickly went to his head, making him act recklessly. 
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here is to {sb/sth}

used before drinking in honor of a person or thing

Ex: Here's to your success in your new job! May you achieve all your goals. 
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stone sober

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

Ex: After a night of partying, he had to drive home and stayed stone sober to ensure his safety. 
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to [get] a load on

to become extremely drunk

Ex: He got a load on and decided he was going to break every window in the street 
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to [give] {sb} a buzz

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

Ex: We're planning to give him a buzz with a few shots on his birthday. 
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to [wet] {one's} whistle

to have a glass of something, particularly an alcoholic drink

Ex: I'm quite parched; I think I'll wet my whistle with a cold glass of lemonade. 
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on the rocks
on the rocks
[phrase]

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

Ex: She ordered a gin and tonic on the rocks to enjoy a cool and refreshing beverage. 
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(as|) high as a kite

heavily under the influence of alcoholic drinks or drugs

Ex: After a few too many drinks at the party, he was as high as a kite. 
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to [have] one too many

to drink an excessive amount of alcohol and become extremely drunk

Ex: At the wedding reception, he had one too many cocktails and ended up dancing on the tables. 
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on the bottle

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

Ex: What were you thinking seeking solitude with Jimmy? The guy's on the bottle 24/7. 
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hair of the dog

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

Ex: Oh, I'm miserable. I need some of the hair of the dog that bit me. 
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coffin nail

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

Ex: He decided to quit smoking after realizing that each cigarette was a coffin nail. 
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cancer stick

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

Ex: She tossed her last cancer stick into the trash can, determined to lead a smoke-free life. 
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lung dart
lung dart
[noun]

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

Ex: I am going to head outside and throw down a few more lung darts. 
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Dutch courage

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

Ex: He had a shot of whiskey for some Dutch courage before giving his presentation. 
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on the wagon
on the wagon
[phrase]

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

Ex: After struggling with alcohol addiction, he's been on the wagon for two years and is doing well in his recovery. 
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to [hit] the bottle

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

Ex: He's been hitting the bottle hard since his wife left him. 
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one over the eight

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

Ex: Don't listen to him. Can't you see he's had one over the eight! 
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to [smoke] like a chimney

to smoke a great number of cigarettes

Ex: Despite knowing the health risks, John continued to smoke like a chimney, lighting up one cigarette after another. 
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