to drink the Kool-Aid
9
9.8
- idiom
- /drɪŋk ðə ˈkuːlˌeɪd/
- Offensive
:
creerse algo a ciegas
- Don't drink the Kool-Aid, Robyn.
- people drank the Kool-Aid
- really drank the Kool-Aid
And another one that we see a lot of is drinking the kool-aid.
- And another one that we see a lot of is drinking the kool-aid.
- And are we drinking the kool-aid here?
- And, you know, there's so many things that they have have not looked at, but right now they're, they're so intent on drinking the kool-aid that it's just going to continue building.
- Anyway, these dudes, they actually, you know, drinking the kool-aid, but these are the guys they that's their men.
Examples
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Many employees seem to drink the Kool-Aid and support every decision made by management without question.
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You really need to stop drinking the Kool-Aid and get a grip on life.
Blog text (1) -
Sorry if I am seen as drinking the Kool-Aid, but I love my store.
Blog text (13) -
The right has thrown their fair share of people under the bus for not drinking the Kool-Aid too.
Blog text (14) -
You come to the FM and refuse to drink the Kool-Aid.
Blog text (27) -
Looks like someone's been drinking the Kool-Aid.
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You're not drinking the Kool-Aid, are you?
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Again, I am gratified to see so many comments by those not drinking the Kool-Aid!
Blog text (13) -
If you all keep drinking the Kool-Aid, you'll never really get anywhere.
Blog text (1) -
The Republicans are just mad that Americans won't drink the Kool-Aid this election.
Blog text (13)
Synonyms
390
3.9
To accept and start to use an idea or way of life
To copy someone without thinking and get into trouble
Antonyms
How Committed
Surface Forms
Morphology
drink + the + Kool-Aid
The expression uses the literal verb 'drink' plus a brand name 'Kool-Aid' but its meaning 'to uncritically accept a belief' depends on a specific cultural/historical reference (Jonestown) rather than composition of the parts. A B1 learner who knows 'drink' and 'Kool-Aid' as a beverage would not be able to derive the idiomatic sense without prior exposure, so it is not predictable from the constituents.
Etymology
Drink the Kool-Aid comes from a 1978 event in Jonestown where followers were told to drink a sweet drink that was poisoned and they accepted it without question. That's why the phrase now means 'to accept a belief or idea without thinking or doubt'.