Learn English – meant by ‘not the cup of tea’

idiomsmeaning

I am new to English. I don't know what is meaning of it and also I don't know where to use ‘not my cup of tea’ and in which situation.

I read this sentence in one website

Looking at old paintings is not my cup of tea.

Could you please tell me what it means and when I should use it.

Best Answer

'not my cup of tea' is an idiom - if something is not your cup of tea, you do not like it or you are not interested in it. There is also a positive version of this expression, 'it's my cup of tea', used to describe something you like.

For example:

Listening to heavy metal music isn’t really my cup of tea.

It would be considered a British english expression, and is synonymous with the more American expression 'not up my alley'

Listening to heavy metal music isn’t really up my alley.

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