strong drink
4
3.4
- noun
- /strɔŋ drɪŋk/
- She usually prefers a strong drink like whisky after work.
Examples
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- That's an awfully strong drink you've got there, mister.
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Strong drink is the root of all evil.
-
I need a warm shower and a really strong drink.
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Well, let me get you a strong drink.
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No wine or strong drink had ever passed her lips.
Fiction book (1991) -
Some people like strong drink cold, like champagne and brandy.
-
Up until then, Viola had never known Mother Green to offer her strong drink except in case of illness.
Fiction book (2002) -
There was no shortage of loud music, good times, or strong drinks at the Rat's Mouth last Thursday and Friday.
Blog text (34) -
I felt an unquenchable thirst that only strong drink could satisfy.
Fiction book (2002) -
They're warding off the storm with dignity and strong drinks in Alphabet City.
Blog text (1)
Synonyms
792
1.0
A drink that can make people drunk, like beer or wine
331
3.2
A strong alcoholic drink made by distilling, like whiskey or vodka
265
7.6
Alcohol that people have at parties or with friends
17
3.0
A drink that contains alcohol, like beer or wine
17
3.0
Strong alcoholic drinks like whiskey, vodka, or gin
10
3.9
An alcoholic drink stronger than beer or wine, like whiskey and vodka
6
1.4
A drink that contains alcohol, like beer or wine
5
3.6
A strong alcoholic drink like whiskey or vodka
Antonyms
How Strong
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositionally derived: 'strong' indicates high potency or effect and 'drink' is a beverage, so a learner would readily infer a beverage with a strong effect (commonly alcoholic). This adjective+noun pattern is cross-linguistically common and follows standard English composition, making the phrase immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both words.
Etymology
Strong drink comes from the simple image of a strong (very powerful) drink that hits you harder than beer or wine. So it means 'an alcoholic drink' with a high alcohol level, like whisky, gin, or vodka.