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[1069] Sweet tooth

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • A strong liking or craving for sweet-tasting foods, such as desserts, candy, pastries, etc.

Origin

  • The word tooth has been used metaphorically to mean taste, liking, or appetite since at least the 14th century (Chaucer used likerous tooth).
  • Sweet tooth combines this archaic meaning of tooth with sweet to describe a specific preference for sugary foods, emerging more clearly by the 19th century.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Love sweets
  • Have a craving for sugar
  • Be a sugar lover
  • Enjoy desserts
  • (Informal) Be a sugar fiend/junkie

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Sugar fiend
  • Sugar freak
  • Dessert monster
  • Chocoholic (specifically for chocolate)
  • Candy head (slightly dated)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Fucking love sugar/sweets.

Milder/Formal:

  • Have a fondness for sweets
  • Have a preference for sugary foods
  • Greatly enjoy desserts
  • Have a palate for sweetness

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal. Perfectly normal in everyday social interactions.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Generally well-understood. The context of food usually makes the meaning clear, preventing literal interpretation.

Examples

  • I can never resist dessert; I have a terrible sweet tooth.
  • This cake is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth.
  • My sweet tooth always kicks in after dinner.

Dialogue

Waiter: Would you like to see the dessert menu?

Customer 1: Oh, I probably shouldn't...

Customer 2: Go on, Sarah! You know you have a sweet tooth. Let's at least look.

Sarah: (Smiling) Okay, okay, you twisted my arm!

Social Media Examples

  • Instagram post (photo of cake): Feeding my sweet tooth today! 🍰 #dessert #cake #sugar
  • Tweet: Trying to eat healthier but my sweet tooth is screaming for chocolate! Send help (or cookies). #dietstruggles #sweettooth
  • Facebook status: Discovered the most amazing pastry shop. Heaven for anyone with a sweet tooth!

Response Patterns

  • Agreement/Shared experience: Me too! / I know what you mean, I have a major sweet tooth.
  • Commenting on sweets: Oh, you'd love the bakery down the street then.
  • Gentle teasing/Observation: Ah, that explains the cookie stash!
  • Offering sweets: Want a piece of chocolate? Satisfy that sweet tooth.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • What's your favorite sweet treat?
  • Do you prefer chocolate or fruity sweets?
  • Offering or suggesting dessert.
  • Discussing struggles with sugar intake.

Conversation Starter

  • Yes. Can easily start conversations about food preferences, restaurants, or desserts. Does anyone else here have a massive sweet tooth like me?

Intonation

  • Fairly even stress, perhaps slightly more emphasis on SWEET. She has a real SWEET tooth.

Generation Differences

  • Understood and used by all generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all English-speaking regions.
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