a hot cup

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hot cup" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a cup of a hot beverage, such as coffee or tea. Example: "On a chilly morning, there's nothing better than enjoying a hot cup of coffee while watching the sunrise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Grab yourself a hot cup of java!

Independent

And then take a hot cup of tea, and then consider getting up or not.

The New Yorker

Of course we never called it hot chocolate; it was always "a hot cup of cocoa".

The New York Times - Travel

This sort of thing wakes me up better than a hot cup of coffee.

The New York Times

The concept of cool fingers on a hot cup you can't.

The New York Times

A hot cup of coffee contains roughly five hundred volatile chemicals.

The New Yorker

The camera drinks in his sculpted stomach like… well, like a hot cup of instant soup.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I threw a hot cup of tea at him and his mother.

The New Yorker

Si King: A hot cup of tea with two sugars and a bacon sandwich.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Why not start off your morning with a hot cup of "Morning Joe"?

The New Yorker

That I could wake up each morning and warm my hands on a hot cup of tea.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a hot cup" to evoke a sense of comfort, warmth, or relaxation in your writing. It works well when describing a cozy scene or a moment of personal indulgence.

Common error

While "a hot cup" is a common phrase, overuse can make your writing sound unoriginal. Consider varying your descriptions with alternatives like "steaming mug" or specifying the beverage, such as "a hot cup of tea".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a hot cup" is as a noun phrase that acts as a direct object or subject complement. Ludwig examples show it describing something someone holds, drinks, or offers. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a hot cup" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase, frequently used to describe a comforting warm beverage, especially in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. The phrase evokes feelings of warmth and relaxation, making it suitable for informal and neutral registers. While it's widely used, varying your descriptions can prevent overuse of the cliché. Consider alternatives such as "a steaming mug" or specify the beverage as "a hot coffee" for more originality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a warm cup

Substitutes "hot" with "warm", indicating a slightly lower temperature.

a steaming mug

Replaces "cup" with "mug" and "hot" with "steaming", emphasizing the heat and vessel.

a soothing cup

Replaces "hot" with "soothing", focusing on the calming effect of the beverage.

a comforting cup

Emphasizes the feeling of comfort derived from the beverage.

a delicious cup

Highlights the taste and enjoyment of the drink.

a fresh cup

Suggests a newly prepared beverage.

a strong cup

Indicates a beverage with a bold flavor.

a flavorful cup

Highlights the rich and complex taste of the beverage.

a spiced cup

Implies that the beverage contains various spices.

a brimming cup

Describes a cup filled to the top.

FAQs

How can I use "a hot cup" in a sentence?

You can use "a hot cup" to describe enjoying a warm beverage, like "I like to start my mornings with "a hot cup" of coffee" or "She offered him "a hot cup" of tea to warm up".

What beverages are commonly associated with "a hot cup"?

The phrase "a hot cup" is often used with beverages like coffee, tea, cocoa, or even warm milk. The specific drink usually depends on the context.

What are some alternatives to saying "a hot cup"?

Some alternatives include "a warm drink", "a steaming mug", or specifying the beverage like "a hot coffee" or "a hot chocolate".

Is it correct to say "a hot cup of" before naming a specific drink?

Yes, it's grammatically correct and common to say "a hot cup of" followed by the name of the beverage, such as "a hot cup of coffee" or "a hot cup of tea".