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
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.
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.
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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