over a cup

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over a cup" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a conversation or interaction that takes place while sharing a drink, typically coffee or tea. Example: "We discussed our plans for the future over a cup of coffee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Start with poking a hole into the bottom of any soda can over a cup or glass.

WikiHow

"It was an idea we had over a cup of tea a year ago.

The Guardian

I talk to Michelle over a cup of tea.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He chatted with the solicitors over a cup of tea.

The New York Times

She smoked off and on, mostly at a cafe over a cup of coffee.

The New York Times

I left thinking, maybe we should have stopped and talked maybe over a cup coffee?

The New York Times

"We Nepalis, we grew up with political movements," he explained over a cup of coffee.

The New York Times

Please feel free to drop into my office to discuss this over a cup of tea.

Independent

Nor does Holman limit himself to giving supportive, sound advice over a cup of tea.

Independent

He was hunched over a cup of tea like an exhausted scullery maid.

The New York Times

"Sunderland," he smiles over a cup of tea on the terrace of the House of Commons.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific beverage (tea, coffee, etc.) to tailor the phrase for greater precision.

Common error

Avoid using "over a cup" in highly formal or business-related contexts where a more professional tone is required. Instead, opt for phrases like "during the meeting" or "in a formal setting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over a cup" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the circumstances or setting in which an action occurs. Ludwig shows many examples where it modifies verbs like "discussed", "chatted", and "confided", describing where the action took place.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "over a cup" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe conversations or activities happening while sharing a drink, especially tea or coffee. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is frequently used in News & Media. While suitable for neutral and informal contexts, it should be used cautiously in formal or academic settings. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability, and alternative expressions like "during a coffee" or "while drinking tea" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during a coffee

Replaces "over a cup" with "during", focusing on the time spent drinking coffee.

while drinking tea

Specifies tea as the drink and emphasizes the act of drinking.

with a cup of coffee

Highlights the presence of coffee during the interaction.

while sharing a cup of tea

Emphasizes the shared aspect of drinking tea.

during tea time

Suggests a specific time dedicated to drinking tea.

at the coffee break

Focuses on a break period involving coffee.

during a beverage

More generic, referring to any beverage, not just tea or coffee.

whilst sipping tea

Adds a touch of formality and emphasizes the action of sipping.

across the coffee table

Focuses on the physical setting where coffee is being consumed.

whilst taking refreshment

Formal and general; indicates any form of drink or snack.

FAQs

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

You can use "over a cup" to describe a conversation or activity that takes place while sharing a drink, such as, "We discussed the project details "over a cup" of coffee".

What's a more formal alternative to "over a cup"?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "during a meeting" or "in a formal setting" as more professional alternatives to ""over a cup"".

Can "over a cup" be used with beverages other than tea or coffee?

Yes, while commonly used with tea or coffee, ""over a cup"" can also be used with other beverages depending on the context, like "over a cup of hot chocolate".

Is it appropriate to use "over a cup" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, ""over a cup"" may be too informal for most academic writing. Opt for more precise language describing the setting of an event or discussion.