Each expression in this post has been shown with meaning followed by an example with a relevant picture. This blog post on “Food Vocabulary” aims to help ESL learners and teachers in order to help improve their English.
01. to be full up
Meaning: to eat to the point that you can no longer eat any more
Example: Sorry, I am full up, I can’t take another slice of pizza.
02. to be starving hungry
Meaning: an exaggerated way of saying you are very hungry
Example: Mom, can you please bring me some food? I am starving hungry.
03. to bolt something down
Meaning: to eat something very quickly
Example: He was so hungry that he bolted whole pizza down in no time.
04. to be dying of hunger
Meaning: an exaggerated way of saying you are very hungry
Example: Seems like I will be dying of hunger soon.
05. to eat a balanced diet
Meaning: to eat the correct types and amounts of food
Example: She started to eat a balanced diet after she gained some extra weight,
06. to eat like a horse
Meaning: to eat a lot
Example: I don’t go to any party with Saquib because he always eats like a horse, and it really makes me feel awkward.
07. to follow a recipe
Meaning: to cook a meal using instructions
Example: My sister is often busy following a recipe in the kitchen.
08. to foot the bill
Meaning: to pay the bill
Example: My friends never let me foot the bill at any restaurant.
09. a fussy eater
Meaning: somebody who has their own very high standards about what to eat
Example: I am not a fussy eater, I can eat anything in home-cooked food.
10. to grab a bite to eat
Meaning: to eat something quickly (when you are in a rush)
Example: In the morning I would grab a bite to eat at the local cafeteria, then head off to school about a mile away.
11. to have a sweet tooth
Meaning: to enjoy sugary food
Example: I always love to have a sweet tooth after my main meal.
12. home-cooked food
Meaning: food cooked at home from individuals ingredients
Example: When it comes to food, there is nothing I like more than eating home-cooked food.
13. the main meal
Meaning: the most important meal of the day
Example: Breakfast is the main meal for me, it gives me sufficient energy to work whole day.
14. to make your mouth water
Meaning: to make you feel very hungry for something
Example: I’m discovering that quality that makes your mouth water, that makes you want another bite.
15. to play with your food
Meaning: to push food around the place to avoid eating it
Example: To let the child play with food for a while without the expectation of eating it can reduce the tension around meal-times.
16. processed food
Meaning: commercially prepared food bought for convenience
Example:
Processed food is usually full of salt and sugar.
17. a quick snack
Meaning: to eat a small amount of food between meals
Example: We were really in a hurry so we had to make do with a quick snack at Flora Cafeteria.
18. a ready meal
Meaning: a meal cooked and bought at a shop but taken somewhere else, often home, to be heated and eaten
Example:
The store says mutton kabab is their second largest selling ready meal after chicken tikka.
19. a slap-up meal
Meaning: a large meal
Example: I wen’t to a grand party with my family for a slap-up meal.
20. to spoil your appetite
Meaning: to eat something that ill stop you feeling hungry when it’s meal-time
Example: I can’t eat burger too much because I don’t want to spoil my appetite for fine dinner.
21. a take away
Meaning: a cooked meal prepared in a restaurant and eaten at home
Example: I am going to order a pizza for a take away.
22. to tuck into
Meaning: to eat something with pleasure
Example: I tucked into Butter Masala Dosa City Darbar restaurant last night.
23. to wine and dine
Meaning: to entertain someone by treating them to food and drink.
Example: They are likely to be wined and dined in our private box.
24. to work up an appetite
Meaning: to do physical work that leads to you becoming hungry.
Example:I want to go for a walk to work up an appetite for dinner.
10 Comments
by Lisa
I’m a fussy eater. Good article.
by Akram Khan
Thank you
by Lisa
I’m a fussy eater.
by Akram Khan
Great example!
by Zohre
Thank you so much for covering the food expressions in your website, they are so useful and practical especially for IELTS students. Wish you best of luck.
by Akram Khan
I thank you for managing the time to read this blog.
by Timmy
During lockdown, I followed many recepies.
Thanks once again Akram Sir for designing such a useful website for the english learners ! The nice set of food words is just amazing !
by Akram Khan
That’s a great example.
You’re welcome. Keep learning 🙂
by EnglishThing
24 great expressions there. I must go and eat now.
by Akram Khan
Thank you. Yes, you can.