In your cups
phrase
Drunk or intoxicated.
He was clearly in his cups when he crashed his car into the street light.
Often appears as...
- get in your cups
- be in your cups
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Origin
The phrase has a historical link to drinking from cups; it's metaphorical for being drunk.
After several toasts, Sir Walter was decidedly in his cups.
Pro Tip 2/3Old-fashioned Usage
It's an older phrase, so it can lend a vintage or formal tone to the speech.
At the family reunion, Uncle George was a bit in his cups.
Pro Tip 3/3Caution in Usage
While not offensive, use carefully as it refers indirectly to someone's drinking.
You might want to avoid discussing him being in his cups at the meeting.
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