TOP 24 DRINKING and PARTYING Expressions and Idioms in English

Explanation + Extra Practice

Here’s an easy explanation of each of the expressions related to drinking, partying, and clubbing:

Ladies’ night: A night at a club or bar where women get special deals, like free entry or discounted drinks.
Sausage fest: A slang term used when there are mostly men at a party or event and very few women.
Girls’ night out: A fun evening when a group of women goes out together, usually to have fun at a bar, restaurant, or club.
Designated driver: A person who stays sober (doesn’t drink alcohol) at a party so they can safely drive others home.
On the house: When something (like a drink or food) is given for free by the restaurant or bar.
On the rocks: A drink served with ice cubes, usually referring to alcohol like whiskey (e.g., “whiskey on the rocks”).
Cover charge: The amount of money you pay to enter a bar, club, or event.
Happy hour: A special time (usually in the late afternoon or early evening) when drinks are sold at a discount.
Round of drinks: When one person buys drinks for everyone in a group (e.g., “I’ll get the first round”).
Make a toast: When someone raises their drink and says something nice to celebrate an occasion (e.g., “Let’s make a toast to John’s birthday!”).
It’s on me: When someone offers to pay for something (like food or drinks) for the whole group.
Beer on tap: Beer that comes from a keg, not a bottle or can, served straight from a tap at a bar.
Neat: A drink served without ice or any mixers, usually referring to alcohol like whiskey.
Virgin: A non-alcoholic version of a drink (e.g., “virgin margarita” means a margarita without alcohol).
Draft beer: Beer served from a keg, similar to “beer on tap.”
Bouncer: A person who works at the entrance of a club or bar to check IDs and keep out troublemakers.
Cheers: A friendly way to say “thank you” or “enjoy your drink” before taking a sip. It’s also used as a toast.
Hangover: The sick feeling you get the morning after drinking too much alcohol, including headaches, nausea, and tiredness.
DUI / DWI: DUI stands for “Driving Under the Influence,” and DWI stands for “Driving While Intoxicated.” Both refer to driving after drinking too much alcohol.
Last call: The announcement made at a bar when it’s almost closing time, telling people it’s their last chance to order drinks.
Tipsy: When someone has had a little bit of alcohol and feels light-headed, but they are not fully drunk.
Drunk: When someone has had too much alcohol and loses control over their actions or speech.
Doorman: A person who stands at the entrance of a bar, club, or building and lets people in or out, similar to a bouncer.
ID: A card (like a driver’s license or passport) that shows your age, which you need to show when entering bars or buying alcohol.

Extra Practice

Partying and Drinking Vocabulary Quiz

Choose the correct meaning or description for each expression.

What is “Ladies’ night”?
a) A night with only men.
b) A night where women get special deals.
c) A night with no entry fee for anyone.
What does “Sausage fest” mean?
a) A party with too many men and few women.
b) A night where food is free.
c) A night where only sausages are served.
“Girls’ night out” means:
a) Women staying home and relaxing.
b) A fun night out with a group of women.
c) A party only for girls under 18.
A “Designated driver” is:
a) The person who pays for the drinks.
b) Someone who stays sober to drive others home.
c) Someone who is not invited to the party.
When something is “On the house,” it means:
a) You have to pay for it.
b) It’s a special item on the menu.
c) It’s free from the bar or restaurant.
“On the rocks” means:
a) A drink served with ice.
b) A drink served hot.
c) A drink served without any alcohol.
A “Cover charge” is:
a) The fee you pay to enter a club or event.
b) A discount for drinks.
c) Free entrance to a party.
“Happy hour” refers to:
a) The time when the bar closes.
b) A time when drinks are sold at a discount.
c) The time when drinks are more expensive.
A “Round of drinks” means:
a) Everyone gets a drink for free.
b) A person buys drinks for the whole group.
c) You can only order one drink.
“Make a toast” means:
a) Saying nice words and raising your glass to celebrate.
b) Eating toast with your drinks.
c) Paying for someone else’s drink.
When someone says “It’s on me,” they mean:
a) They are paying for everyone’s drinks.
b) The drinks are spilled on them.
c) The drinks are free.
“Beer on tap” refers to:
a) Beer from a can.
b) Beer that comes from a keg or tap.
c) Bottled beer.
If a drink is “Neat,” it is:
a) Served with ice.
b) Served without ice or mixers.
c) A drink with milk.
A “Virgin” drink is:
a) A non-alcoholic drink.
b) A drink made with wine.
c) A strong alcoholic drink.
“Draft beer” is:
a) Beer from a tap or keg.
b) Beer from a bottle.
c) A type of strong beer.
A “Bouncer” is:
a) A person who plays music at the club.
b) A person who checks IDs and keeps order at the club.
c) Someone who serves drinks.
“Cheers” is a way to say:
a) Goodbye.
b) Pay for your drinks.
c) Enjoy your drink or thank you.
A “Hangover” is:
a) The feeling after drinking too much alcohol.
b) A party with no alcohol.
c) The last drink of the night.
DUI or DWI stands for:
a) Eating while drinking.
b) Driving under the influence of alcohol.
c) Drinking at the bar all night.
“Last call” means:
a) The bar is closing soon, so it’s the last chance to order drinks.
b) You must leave the bar immediately.
c) The bar is giving free drinks to everyone.
“Tipsy” means:
a) Completely drunk.
b) Not drinking alcohol at all.
c) Just a little bit drunk.
“Drunk” means:
a) Sober.
b) Having too much alcohol and losing control.
c) Drinking just one glass.
A “Doorman” is:
a) The person who serves drinks.
b) The DJ.
c) The person who lets people in and out of a building or club.
“ID” is:
a) A type of drink.
b) Identification card to show your age.
c) A drink served in a bottle.

Answer Section:

b, 2. a, 3. b, 4. b, 5. c, 6. a, 7. a, 8. b, 9. b, 10. a, 11. a, 12. b, 13. b, 14. a, 15. a, 16. b, 17. c, 18. a, 19. b, 20. a, 21. c, 22. b, 23. c, 24. b