To drink someone under the table

OK Li, here it is - a nice bottle of red wine, some glasses. Let’s celebrate your promotion err Li? Li, where are you?

Down here, Neil! Down here!

What on earth are you doing under the table?!

You have always said you can drink me under the table.

Well, yes, I did say that.

Well, here I am. Give me my wine please.

Li, in English, when you say you can drink someone under the table, you mean that if you and your friend both drink the same amount of alcohol, your friend will be very drunk, but you will be fine. In other words, you’re saying that you’ve got a much higher tolerance of alcohol than another person.

Oh, that’s what you meant! That’s a relief! It was getting very hot and uncomfortable under the table.

‘To drink someone under the table’ is today’s expression in The English We Speak. Let’s hear some examples of how it’s used.

Examples I do like a gin and tonic after a hard day at work but Alan can drink me under the table!

When Beth realised she could drink anyone under the table she decided to stop drinking alcohol and go into rehab.

Oh OK. I get it now. There are so many funny expressions in the English language, Neil. It’s fun to learn!

Yes! I’ll drink to that! We have loads of these expressions. loads and loads!

Oh dear. Sometimes I want to drink, just to forget that there’s so much to learn!

Come on, Li. You’ve just been promoted. Let’s celebrate with a toast.

Cheers!

Bye!