tea trolley
Definition
Noun: A small, wheeled cart used for serving tea, coffee, or light refreshments, typically in a home, office, or social setting.
Usage
The term "tea trolley" refers specifically to the mobile serving cart itself. It is used to transport items from a preparation area to where guests are seated. - She wheeled the tea trolley into the lounge, laden with cups and cakes. - The hotel staff brought afternoon tea on a silver tea trolley.
Advanced Usage
- "to wheel out the tea trolley": This phrase can be used literally to describe the action of bringing the trolley into a room. Figuratively, it can sometimes imply presenting a familiar or standard set of ideas or offerings.
- Every meeting, he wheels out the tea trolley of the same old proposals.
Variants and Related Words
- Tea wagon (n): A synonym for tea trolley, more common in American English.
- Serving cart (n): A more general term for any wheeled cart used for serving food and drinks.
- Dessert trolley (n): A similar cart specifically used in restaurants to display and serve desserts.
Synonyms
- Serving cart
- Tea cart
- Tea wagon
- Beverage cart
Antonyms
- Fixed sideboard
- Stationary cabinet
Related Phrases
- Afternoon tea service: The event or meal for which a tea trolley is often used.
- To do the rounds with the trolley: To move around a room or group of people offering items from the trolley.
Noun
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serving cart for serving tea or light refreshments
