What does “In his cups” mean?
"In his cups" means that someone is drunk or intoxicated.
What context can I use the in?
Example
After a few too many drinks, he was definitely in his cups.
Example
She stumbled into the room, clearly in her cups.
Example
He couldn't walk straight and slurred his words, clearly in his cups
Is “In his cups” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“In his cups” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “In his cups” effectively in context?
You can use "In his cups" to describe someone who is drunk or intoxicated. It emphasizes the state of being under the influence of alcohol. For example, if you see a friend stumbling and slurring their words after a night of heavy drinking, you might say, 'He's definitely in his cups.'
- 1Social Gatherings
After a few too many drinks, he was definitely in his cups.
- 2Parties
She stumbled into the room, clearly in her cups.
- 3Bar or Pub
He couldn't walk straight and slurred his words, clearly in his cups.
Similar phrases to “In his cups”:
Drunk or heavily intoxicated
Example
She stumbled into the party, clearly sloshed.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “In his cups” come from?
The origin of the phrase "In his cups" is unknown.
Is “In his cups” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "In his cups" is not commonly used in everyday conversation. It has a somewhat old-fashioned feel and may be more commonly found in literature or historical contexts.
What tone does “In his cups” have?
"In his cups" conveys a tone of informality and familiarity. It's often used in a light-hearted or humorous way to describe someone who has had too much to drink.
Can “In his cups” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "In his cups" is relatively informal and may not be suitable for formal settings. It's more commonly used in casual conversations among friends or in storytelling.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He stumbled out of the bar, clearly in his cups.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Looks like he's "in his cups"!' to imply someone is drunk.
