tea towel
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A towel for drying dishes: A cloth, typically made of cotton or linen, used specifically for drying dishes, cutlery, and other kitchen items after they have been washed.
Usage
- The word "tea towel" is a countable noun. It refers to the specific item used in a kitchen for drying.
- It is commonly used in British English. In American English, the term "dish towel" is more frequent, though "tea towel" is understood.
Examples
- Noun:
- Could you pass me a clean tea towel? The plates are still wet.
- She embroidered a lovely pattern on the new tea towel.
- After washing the cups, he dried them with a soft tea towel.
Advanced Usage
- "to be tied to the kitchen sink / tea towel": An idiom (often used critically) implying someone, typically a woman, is confined to domestic duties.
- The article argued against the idea that women should be tied to the tea towel.
Variants and Related Words
- Dish towel (n): The more common American English equivalent for "tea towel".
- Drying-up cloth (n): An informal British synonym.
- Tea cloth (n): A less common variant.
Synonyms
- Dish towel: A towel for drying dishes.
- Kitchen towel: A general term that can refer to a towel for drying dishes or hands in the kitchen.
Related Phrases
- "Dry with a tea towel": The typical collocation describing its use.
- Always dry the good knives with a tea towel immediately to prevent rust.
Noun
- a towel for drying dishes