fill the cup

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fill the cup" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are instructing someone to pour a liquid into a cup or metaphorically to suggest completing something. Example: "Please fill the cup with water before serving the guests."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

They always fill the cup to the brim, forcing me to pour some of the coffee into the trash, where it makes a mess.

The New York Times

Or, as Falstaff said to Silence (after hearing the chimes at midnight), "Health, and long life to you," to which Silence replied, "Fill the cup, and let it come, I'll pledge you a mile to th' bottom".

The New Yorker

Often a push-up bra stands away from the body in an unflatteringly way that makes even the most assured woman wish she had more to "fill" the cup.

The New York Times

The Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock, stories of Guy de Maupassant, Poe, Algernon Blackwood, poetry by Omar Khayyám: Come, fill the cup and in the fire of spring Your winter garment of repentance fling.

The New York Times - Arts

"In my lifetime I've seen ceramic art fill the cup and runneth over many times," said Ben Owen III, 32, a seventh-generation potter who is renowned in this region and beyond.

The New York Times - Arts

The transparent layer thickened to fill the cup and smoothly bulged its outer surface in a curve.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Transfer the batter to a measuring cup for pouring, and fill the cups three-fourths full.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She began to fill the cups with Goldfish crackers from a giant jar.

The New Yorker

Immediately someone produced a stack of drink cups, and we all trooped off to the bathroom to fill the cups with liquid gold in true DIY spirit.

Huffington Post

You'll want to fill the cups the rest of the way with the filling, making sure not to overfill.

WikiHow

"We filled the Cup with popcorn," Brodeur said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "fill the cup", specify the substance to be used for clarity. For example, "fill the cup with water" is more precise than just "fill the cup".

Common error

Avoid overfilling the cup, especially with hot liquids, to prevent spills and potential burns. Ensure there is enough space at the top to handle the cup safely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fill the cup" functions primarily as an imperative, often used to give a direct instruction or command. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use. The various examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in both literal and slightly more figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

56%

News & Media

31%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fill the cup" is a grammatically correct and commonly used imperative phrase that instructs someone to add something to a cup. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in informal settings like WikiHow instructions, it also appears in news and media. While straightforward in its literal meaning, it can also carry metaphorical weight depending on the context. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specifying what to fill the cup with ensures the instruction is easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pour into the cup

Focuses on the action of pouring as the method of filling.

load up the cup

Emphasizes filling the cup to its maximum capacity.

top off the cup

Suggests adding more to a cup that is already partially full.

replenish the cup

Implies refilling a cup that was previously empty or depleted.

charge the cup

A less common, more metaphorical way to suggest filling a cup with energy or purpose.

supply the cup

Focuses on the act of providing what is needed to fill the cup.

administer the cup

Suggests a controlled or measured filling of the cup.

saturate the cup

Emphasizes completely filling the cup until it is thoroughly soaked or saturated.

prime the cup

Implies preparing the cup by filling it initially for a specific purpose.

gorge the cup

Implies filling the cup excessively or greedily.

FAQs

How can I use "fill the cup" in a sentence?

You can use "fill the cup" in sentences like: "Please "fill the cup" with coffee" or "Fill the cup halfway with water for the experiment".

What are some alternatives to saying "fill the cup"?

Alternatives include "pour into the cup", "top off the cup", or "load up the cup" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "filled the cup" instead of "fill the cup"?

"Filled the cup" is the past tense form, used when the action of filling has already occurred. "Fill the cup" is an instruction or present tense action.

What does it mean to metaphorically "fill the cup"?

Metaphorically, ""fill the cup"" can mean to satisfy a need, reach a limit, or complete something. The interpretation depends on the specific context it is used in.