cup of tea

Related to cup of tea: not my cup of tea

cup of tea

1. Something one prefers, desires, enjoys, or cares about. Often used in the negative to mean the opposite. I invited you because I thought long-distance cycling was your cup of tea. When I found out that reading wasn't his cup of tea, I knew that there wasn't much of a relationship in store between us.
2. Something to be addressed or managed. She did finish all of her chores, but her homework is another cup of tea altogether.
See also: cup, of, tea
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cup of tea, one's

Something that is in accord with one's liking or taste. For example, Quiz shows are just my cup of tea, or Baseball is not her cup of tea. The origin of this metaphorical expression has been lost, but the positive version-"he's my cup of tea"-has been used since the late 1800 and the negative- not one's cup of tea-since the 1920s.
See also: cup, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

cup of tea

n. something preferred or desired. (Often negative.) Driving children around all afternoon is not my cup of tea.
See also: cup, of, tea
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

cup of tea

1. Something that one excels in or enjoys: Opera is not my cup of tea.
2. A matter to be reckoned or dealt with: Recreational sport is relaxing. Professional sport is another cup of tea altogether.
See also: cup, of, tea
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

not one's cup of tea

It doesn’t suit one, it isn’t to one’s taste. The ultimate origin of this term is not known, although it definitely is British. Tea had become an immensely popular beverage in Europe by the mid-eighteenth century, and the positive version—he or she is my cup of tea—was used from the late nineteenth century. The negative is slightly newer, from the 1920s. Josephine Tey used it in The Franchise Affair (1948): “Probably she isn’t your cup of tea. You have always preferred them a little stupid, and blonde.”
See also: cup, not, of, tea
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • cup of tea, one's
  • be not (one's) bag
  • (one's) bag
  • bag
  • be not (one's) cup of tea
  • (one's) jam
  • better late than never
  • eat one's cake and have it (too)
  • eat one's cake and have it, too
  • watch the clock
References in periodicals archive
Survey says 60 per cent of Coventrians have never made a cup of tea using tea leaves.
Survey reveals most don't know how to make a 'proper' cup of tea
The TVC, releasing on mass media nationwide, stars Chef Mehboob alongside his wife onscreen, sharing a cup of tea with guests, which include his old friends, veteran film-maker Syed Noor, and his wife Saima.
TARANG NOW OFFERS NEW 'UNPARALLELED' TASTE
John used to go there for his cup of tea in the mornings most days as I did.
Happy memories of the good old days; FEEDBACK
We know the first thing customers do when they check into their room is make a cup of tea. To address this growing demand for a good cuppa we have extended the range of teas we offer in our Bar Cafe's so that we can accommodate all tastes.
-British Travellers Prefer Tea to Coffee
The Royal Tea Cafeteria, a small tea shop located on University City road has become a hot spot among many residents who drive down to enjoy a special cup of tea.
Sharjah tea shop sells 5000 cups of tea a day
Worcester, on Tuesday to find a man in his kitchen who engaged him in conversation, asking for a cup of tea and some money.
Thief asks for a cuppa
A CUP of tea has become the automatic response to any emergency in homes and offices up and down the country.
T... is for tea
THE jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering his wife after they argued over a cup of tea, will continue trying to reach a verdict at Swansea Crown Court today.
J u r y still out over wife's 'cup of tea' killing
It also took slightly longer to darken and needs a bit more coaxing and stirring to get that perfect cuppa, but the end result is a good, strong cup of tea, packed full of flavour.
Mrs Mop; There's never been a better time for tea as we put bags to the test to make sure you get the perfect cuppa every time
While they worked, I heated water, and students would periodically take a break and partake of a cup of tea. They loved to sample the various teas, and some students were trying tea for the very first time!
Ralli quilts of Pakistan ... in paper
Nick Park, creator of Wallace & Gromit, said: "A quintessentially British tea party is just my cup of tea and a really easy and fun way to raise money for sick children.
Cracking canals, Gromit!
Known throughout the world of Poker as the 'Poker Brat', Phil is not everyone's cup of tea as he is an excellent poker player, but a notoriously bad loser who is prone to tantrums when things do not go his way.
Poker brat Hellmuth is prone to throw a tantrum; LEGENDS OF POKER
Researchers have proved what generations of Britons already believed; having a cup of tea helps in a crisis.
It's official: tea helps relieve stress
You raise your cup of tea To toast a thirty-year-old memory, in
Sarah
Add fifteen drops of the tincture to one-half ounce water, and drink every fifteen to thirty minutes, or you may drink one cup of tea every fifteen minutes until the cramps subside.
Herbal support for the menstrual cycle