Phrases & IdiomsPhrase guide
Not My Cup of Tea
“Not My Cup of Tea” means something that is not the type of thing a person likes. Use it as an informal way to express personal preference or dislike; it does not mean the thing is objectively bad.
It means something is not to your taste or not the kind of thing you like.
Key details
Canonical FormNot My Cup of Tea
Core Meaningsomething that is not the type of thing a person likes
Further guidance
History Boundary
This guide explains documented current meaning and does not claim a single inventor, exact coinage date, or absolute first use without direct evidence.
Meaning
something that is not the type of thing a person likes
Usage Boundary
Use it as an informal way to express personal preference or dislike; it does not mean the thing is objectively bad.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Not be someone’s cup of tea — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Meaning evidence for “not my cup of tea” as something a person does not like.