English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Turn down a glass
Meaning
The idiom "turn down a glass" is used to describe the act of refusing or declining an offer or request, particularly when it involves drinking. This can mean turning down a drink, not accepting a toast or a toast to a specific person or thing, or declining to participate in a drinking game or challenge.
Usage
- "I don't usually drink, so I turned down the glass of wine that was offered to me."
- "When my friend proposed a toast to his new job, I turned down the glass and said congratulations instead."
- "During the party, I declined to participate in the beer chugging challenge and turned down a glass of beer."
- "I'm not much for drinking alcohol, so I turned down the offer to have a shot of tequila with my colleagues."
- "When my brother proposed a toast to his girlfriend, I turned down the glass and said cheers instead." The usage of "turn down a glass" can vary depending on the context. For example, it can be used in a serious or lighthearted way, depending on the situation. It can also be used differently depending on the relationship between the speaker and the person being addressed.
Roots and History
The origin of the idiom "turn down a glass" is not entirely clear, but it has been in use since at least the 19th century. One theory is that it comes from the practice of turning over a wine glass to signal that you are finished drinking or do not want any more. Another theory is that it originated as a way to politely decline an invitation to drink or participate in a drinking game. Over time, the meaning and usage of "turn down a glass" may have evolved slightly. For example, it may be used more frequently in contemporary language due to changes in social norms around alcohol consumption.
Synonyms in English
- Refuse
- Decline
- Turn down
- Say no
- Opt out
Synonyms in other languages
- Refuser (French) - This translates to "refuser" in English, which means to refuse or decline.
- Respuesta negativa (Spanish) - This translates to "negative response" in English, which means to say no or decline.
- 否定 (Chinese) - This translates to "denial" in English, which means to reject or turn down.
- 不同意 (Japanese) - This translates to "disagree" in English, which means to refuse or decline.
- 거부 (Korean) - This translates to "rejection" in English, which means to decline or turn down.