cook up a storm: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘cook up a storm’ mean?
"Cook up a storm" means to prepare food passionately and with great skill, resulting in a delicious and satisfying meal.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "now you're cooking" means that someone is doing something well or successfully. It implies that the person is in a favorable or productive state and is making progress or achieving desired outcomes.
"Eat someone out of house and home" means to consume all of someone's food and resources, usually in large quantities. It is used to describe someone who eats voraciously and excessively, causing a significant strain on the household's supplies and finances.
The idiom "eat one's heart out" means to feel intense sadness or jealousy over someone else's success or happiness.
The idiom "duck soup" means something that is very easy or simple to do.
The idiom "drum up" means to create or generate support, enthusiasm, or interest for something, usually through active promotion or publicity.
An idiom meaning to outdo or surpass someone's accomplishment or action.
The idiom "dig in" means to start eating eagerly or to begin working hard or with determination.
The idiom "cut the mustard" means to meet expectations or perform satisfactorily.
The idiom *crush it* means to do something with great success and excellence, often exceeding expectations or goals.
The idiom "crank up" means to increase the intensity, volume, or speed of something, typically referring to machinery or activities. It suggests to make something more powerful, active, or energetic.
Tempestuous Tastes
The idiom "now you're cooking" is closely related to "cook up a storm" and is often used in a similar context. When someone says "now you're cooking," they are expressing excitement or approval for what someone is doing or achieving. It is a way of acknowledging that the person is performing exceptionally well or making significant progress in their endeavors.
In essence, "now you're cooking" is a figurative expression that can be used to cheer someone on or to acknowledge their impressive skills and abilities. It signifies that the person is doing something with great intensity, effectiveness, or efficiency. Just like "cook up a storm," this idiom can be used in different situations, not necessarily related to cooking. For example, it can be used to praise someone who is excelling at work or to support someone who is making remarkable progress on a personal project.
"cooking with gas" is another idiom that is closely related to "cook up a storm." When someone says "cooking with gas," they mean that things are going extremely well and progressing smoothly. The phrase originates from the 1940s, when cooking with gas was considered more efficient and modern compared to other methods, such as cooking with wood or coal.
The idiom "cooking with gas" is commonly used to express enthusiasm or approval for a situation or someone's performance. It suggests that everything is functioning at an optimal level and that progress and success are being achieved. Similar to "now you're cooking" and "cook up a storm," this idiom is not limited to cooking-related scenarios. It can be used in various contexts to convey satisfaction or appreciation for someone's work, ideas, or accomplishments.
When we look at all three idioms - "now you're cooking," "cook up a storm," and "cooking with gas" - we see a common theme of intense, skillful, and productive action. These idioms capture the energy and dedication required to achieve exceptional results or make significant progress in any endeavor. Whether it's in the kitchen, the workplace, or any other domain, these idioms celebrate the power of determination and skill in creating something remarkable.
"cook up a storm" is an idiom that originates from American English and is used to describe someone who is cooking a large quantity of food with exceptional skill and efficiency. The idiom has evolved to have a figurative meaning, referring to someone who is creating or accomplishing something with great intensity or productivity. It has gained popularity in everyday speech and is often used to highlight impressive skills or abilities. In addition to the literal act of cooking, the idiom can also be used more broadly to describe anyone who is achieving something extraordinary. Overall, "cook up a storm" reflects the admiration and astonishment we feel towards the creativity, productivity, and impressive abilities of individuals in various fields.
Example usage
1. The chef cooked up a storm in the kitchen, preparing a delicious five-course meal for the guests. 2. My mom is an amazing cook. Whenever she enters the kitchen, she always cooks up a storm and treats us to a feast. 3. The team of volunteers cooked up a storm at the charity event, serving hundreds of hot meals to the homeless.
More "Cooking" idioms
