cup of tea

noun phrase

1

: something one likes or excels in

I see already that storytelling isn't my cup of tea …

—John Barth

also : a person suited to one's taste

2

: a thing to be reckoned with : matter

… poltergeists are a different cup of tea …

—D. B. W. Lewis

Examples of cup of tea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The hot tea is clearly at a much higher temperature than the iceberg, but the large iceberg has vastly more energy than the tiny cup of tea. — Matthew Koss, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026

Though there have been tensions between Camilla and her stepson Harry over the years, royal biographer Tom Bower reported that the queen politely offered the Duke of Sussex a cup of tea. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 24 Aug. 2026

Afterward, stop at Jordan Pond House (reservations are recommended) for a flaky popover and a cup of tea, and take in the views of Jordan Pond. — Morgan Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026

At a community hub in Dover, older residents drop in unannounced to share a cup of tea with a friendly face. — Kyle Vanelli, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cup of tea

• abc
• absentee
• addressee
• adoptee
• allottee
• amphorae
• amputee
• apc
• apogee
• appointee
• assessee
• assignee