SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

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

First Known Use of cup of tea

1932

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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