Learning to use idioms and expressions which are common in the English language will make your English sound more native. In our Idiom of the Week series, we will be exploring common English idioms to help you excel in native English.

Idiom of the Week: Couch potato

An inactive and usually overweight person who spends a lot of time watching TV. The origin comes from potatoes: unattractive lumps that grow larger while not moving.

Example 1

  • A: Come on, let’s go to the shops.
  • B: No, I don’t feel like it. I’ll just stay here.
  • A: Oh come on. You haven’t moved from the sofa all day, you’re becoming a real couch potato.

Example 2

  • Question: Do you do anything to stay in shape?
  • Answer: Not really. I play football with my friends sometimes, but I prefer to stay in. I’m a bit of a couch potato I suppose.

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