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Back to Speak English With Vanessa

Relationships & Dating

2 English Idioms about "LIKE": Advanced English vocabulary lesson

Download my free e-book: "5 Steps To Becoming A Confident English Speaker" http://www.speakenglishwithvanessa.com/ebook

Read the full lesson summary

Vanessa teaches two idioms for talking about preferences: my cup of tea and up my alley. The lesson is useful for learners who want more expressive alternatives to I like, and it also explains an important difference in how the idioms apply to activities versus people. The examples move from drinks and hobbies to personal interests and sharing household chores.

My cup of tea means that something suits your taste or is an activity you enjoy. Vanessa models “English is my cup of tea” and “Swimming is my cup of tea.” The literal drink is not important; the phrase is figurative and normally keeps the words cup of tea rather than changing them to cup of coffee or glass of wine. The idiom can also describe a person who is especially suitable for you, but Vanessa says this is a strong, personal meaning. Use it only for someone very special, not a casual acquaintance.

Up my alley also means that something is a good fit for your interests or personality. Vanessa explains the image as a path or lane and gives “Traveling to new countries is up my alley” as an example. Unlike my cup of tea, she does not recommend using up my alley for a person; saying “my wife is up my alley” sounds strange in this context. This distinction helps learners choose the right idiom for the thing they want to describe.

The lesson also practices negative forms. Vanessa explains that doing laundry is not up her alley, while doing dishes is not her husband’s cup of tea. They share household chores according to what each person dislikes less. Learners can say “It’s not my cup of tea” or “It’s not up my alley” to express a preference gently, rather than saying they hate an activity. The expressions are conversational and informal, so a more direct statement may be clearer in formal settings.

To practice, learners can name an activity they enjoy and one they do not enjoy, then choose the idiom that fits. For example, “Hiking is my cup of tea” or “Public speaking isn’t really up my alley.” The key takeaways are that both idioms describe a good personal fit for activities, cup of tea can describe a deeply suitable person, and up my alley is best kept for interests or activities. Vanessa invites viewers to share their examples and learn from one another.

S2.1
Speak English With VanessaAmerican English07:36

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Transcript

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Introducing idioms for preferences

hi I'm Vanessa from speak englishwith vanessa. Happy Valentine's Day today we're going to talk about two idioms that you can use to talk about things or activities that you like let's get started even though Valentine's Day is usually focusing on couples and romantic love we're humans so we like a lot of

Try it: Name one activity that is your cup of tea and one that is not up your alley. Write a sentence for each and explain your choice.

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.

13 phrases

Showing 13 of 13 phrases

my cup of tea

Using cup of tea for a language interest · expression

Something that suits your taste or is an activity you enjoy.

Tone and use: Informal, conversational. Use it to describe hobbies, activities, or interests you like.

May not fit: The phrase is normally fixed as cup of tea; do not replace tea with another drink.

Example“Learning languages is my cup of tea.”

exactly what you're looking for

Applying the idiom to activities · expression

The ideal person, thing, or quality you want.

Tone and use: Positive and emphatic. Use it when something matches your needs especially well.

May not fit: It can sound strong; be sure the match is genuinely close.

Example“This quiet hotel is exactly what we’re looking for.”

too strong

Using cup of tea for a special person · expression

More intense or forceful than is suitable.

Tone and use: Neutral caution. Use it when a phrase, flavor, or reaction feels excessive.

May not fit: Clarify what is too strong if the context is not obvious.

Example“Calling a new coworker my cup of tea may sound too strong.”

someone you don't know that well

Using cup of tea for a special person · expression

A person with whom you are not yet familiar or close.

Tone and use: Neutral and conversational. Use it to describe a relationship that is still distant or casual.

May not fit: Avoid implying a person is unimportant; the phrase is about familiarity.

Example“I wouldn’t share private news with someone I don’t know that well.”

has nothing to do with

Limiting a strong personal expression · expression

Be unrelated to something.

Tone and use: Neutral and common. Use it to say that one thing is not connected to another.

May not fit: It can sound firm; give the connection if the listener is confused.

Example“This decision has nothing to do with your performance.”

up my alley

Introducing up my alley · expression

A good fit for someone’s interests or personality.

Tone and use: Informal idiom. Use it for activities, topics, or opportunities that suit you.

May not fit: Vanessa advises against using it to describe a person in this lesson.

Example“A small-group cooking class is right up my alley.”

the perfect fit for my personality

Describing a personality fit · expression

Especially well suited to the way someone thinks or what they enjoy.

Tone and use: Positive and personal. Use it to explain why an activity or choice suits you.

May not fit: It is an emphatic description; use a simpler good fit for a mild preference.

Example“Traveling alone is the perfect fit for my personality.”

a little weird

Describing a personality fit · expression

Somewhat strange or unnatural.

Tone and use: Informal, mild criticism. Use it to describe wording or behavior that feels unusual.

May not fit: It may sound judgmental when applied to a person; specify the expression instead.

Example“That sentence sounds a little weird in English.”

not up my alley

Avoiding awkward use for people · expression

Not a good fit for my interests or personality.

Tone and use: Informal and relatively gentle. Use it to express that an activity is not for you.

May not fit: It does not necessarily mean you dislike the people involved.

Example“Camping isn’t really up my alley.”

not my favorite activity

Expressing a negative preference · expression

Something you do not particularly enjoy, though you may still do it.

Tone and use: Gentle and tactful. Use it to express a mild negative preference.

May not fit: It is softer than saying you hate the activity.

Example“Doing laundry is not my favorite activity.”

share the household chores

Expressing a negative preference · expression

Divide routine home tasks among the people who live together.

Tone and use: Neutral and practical. Use it when talking about how people divide domestic work.

May not fit: Agree on responsibilities instead of assuming one person will do them.

Example“We share the household chores during the week.”

so far so good

Expressing a negative preference · expression

Things are going well up to this point.

Tone and use: Informal and reassuring. Use it for a situation that is currently working as expected.

May not fit: It does not promise that everything will continue to go well.

Example“The new chore schedule is working—so far so good.”

more up his alley than

Sharing household chores · expression

A better fit for his interests than another option.

Tone and use: Informal comparison. Use it to compare which activity someone prefers or suits them better.

May not fit: Keep the comparison clear by naming both activities.

Example“Gardening is more up his alley than doing the dishes.”

Knowledge check

Practice the phrases you heard

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What it means · “my cup of tea”

If swimming is your cup of tea, what does that mean?