Culinary idioms

Culinary idioms referred to terminology or idioms related to food and cooking.

Bite off more than one can chew

If someone bit off more than they could chew, they attempted to perform a task that was beyond their ability to complete, often because they had underestimated its complexity.

The mirror universe version of James Kirk once noted that he and Spock may have bitten off more than they could chew when they attempted to control the Halkans. (TOS: "Mirror, Mirror")

Caught with one's hand in the cookie jar

Referring to being caught accessing something that was not one's own.

In 2151, Trip Tucker had Hoshi Sato decrypt a message from the Vulcans and found it was a personal letter meant for T'Pol. When expressing his embarrassment at having inadvertently snooped on her private business, he said that he felt as though he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. (ENT: "Breaking the Ice")

Dining on ashes

"Dining on ashes" was to excessively focus on past personal failures.

James Kirk asked if Spock was dining on ashes after finding him seemingly reflecting on the betrayal of Valeris. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

Eating crow

To "eat crow" was to admit that one had been defeated or was wrong.

When Voyager's EMH was attempting to treat Lewis Zimmerman's disease, but Zimmerman was stubborn and refusing treatment, Deanna Troi invited the both of them to dinner. However, the EMH quipped that he would not be interested unless Zimmerman would be eating crow. (VOY: "Life Line")

For all the tea in China

"For all the tea in China" meant something was so important to a person, he or she wouldn't exchange it for even the most precious things in the world.

In 1986, Gillian Taylor told time traveler Admiral James Kirk, when he explained to her that they wanted to bring George and Gracie to the 23rd century, and asked her if she was curious about the details, she said, "I wouldn't miss it for all the tea in China." (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)

Fruity as a nut cake

Fruity as a nut cake meant insane.

In 2285, James T. Kirk claimed to have heard that his friend Leonard McCoy was as fruity as a nutcake, hence the doctor's pending transfer to the Federation funny farm. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

Have one's cake and eat it too

To have one's cake and eat it too meant to have all the benefits, and none of the drawbacks, of a situation.

When Captain Janeway and Admiral Janeway were discussing whether to destroy the Borg hub or get Voyager home, the Captain used this idiom to refer to the possibility of doing both. (VOY: "Endgame")

Icing on the cake

The icing on the cake was something that enhanced a good situation.

When Worf was on trial and Ch'Pok suggested conceding, Sisko determined that Ch'Pok was making the suggestion so that the convoys would stop, allowing the Klingons access to the Pentath system. Ch'Pok used the idiom, and Sisko jokingly advised him not to "eat the cake". (DS9: "Rules of Engagement")

Liquid courage

Liquid courage was a term for alcohol, which was believed to impart courage when drunk.

According to Emory Erickson, Zefram Cochrane "knew the benefits of a little liquid courage". (ENT: "Daedalus")

Piece of cake

If something was a piece of cake, it was easy.

O'Brien stated that repairing Tosk's ship was going to be a piece of cake, but Tosk did not know the idiom, so O'Brien explained. (DS9: "Captive Pursuit")

Kasidy expected being a convoy liaison officer to be a piece of cake, because she knew most of the freighter captains of the convoy. However, it was harder than she expected, since she was required to make numerous log entries daily and fill out formal reports nightly. (DS9: "The Sound of Her Voice")

Sing for one's supper

To sing for one's supper meant to do a task to earn something, especially food.

When Kelis told B'Elanna Torres to tell him about Earth to earn some food, she commented that she had to sing for her supper. (VOY: "Muse")

Too many cooks

Too many cooks referred to the idea that if too many people worked on a task, that could prove detrimental.

Chakotay used this idiom as an explanation for not allowing Harry Kim to assist him and B'Elanna Torres with work on the shields. (VOY: "The Voyager Conspiracy")

Tough cookie

A tough cookie was a high-spirited individual.

In a hallucination experienced by Benjamin Sisko, Kay Eaton said that she liked Benny Russell's depiction of Kira, noting that she was a tough cookie. (DS9: "Far Beyond the Stars")

A watched pot never boils

Meant that paying attention to a thing one is waiting for gives the illusion of the wait being longer.

Data once attempted to test if this idiom was literally true by having his kettle boil and occasionally watching it, but occasionally not. On Troi's suggestion, after finding no difference, he turned his chronometer off to see if that would make a difference. (TNG: "Timescape")