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liquor
hard liquor
Any distilled alcoholic beverage, such as whiskey, vodka, gin, etc. "Hard" here is a reference to the higher percentage of alcohol in comparison to wine or beer. Primarily heard in US, Canada. I've learned to steer clear of hard liquor if I want to avoid a hangover the next day!
hold one's liquor
Fig. to be able to drink alcohol in quantity without ill effects. Old Jed can sure hold his liquor—and a lot of it, too. I asked him to leave because he can't hold his liquor.
liquor someone up
to get someone tipsy or drunk. He liquored her up and tried to take her home with him. They liquored up the out-of-town visitors.
liquor up
to drink an alcoholic beverage, especially to excess. Sam sat around all evening liquoring up. They seem to liquor up almost every night of the week.
not hold your liquor
to not be able to drink alcohol without showing any effects
Scott didn't hold his liquor very well - he'd either fall asleep or sit silently and sadly after a couple of drinks. Usage notes: the opposite meaning is expressed by hold your liquor: Now there's a gang that can hold their liquor!
can't hold their drink/liquor
if someone can't hold their drink, they get drunk after drinking very little alcohol You can't hold your drink, that's your problem. Two beers and you're under the table.
hard liquor
Distilled alcoholic beverages, such as gin or whiskey. For example, We're serving wine and beer but no hard liquor. The hard here refers to their high alcoholic content, which is also true for hard cider, although the latter is not distilled but has simply fermented.
liquor up
v.1. To cause or encourage someone to consume alcohol: They liquored me up and asked me where I hid the money. My boss is at a bar liquoring up some potential investors.
2. To become drunk. Used in the passive: I got liquored up on whiskey and started a fight.
3. To consume alcoholic beverages steadily: They've been liquoring up in the bar all day.
hard liquor
n. potent liquor such as whiskey, gin, rum, etc. Stay off of hard liquor until your stomach feels better.
hold one’s liquor
tv. to be able to drink alcohol in quantity without ill effects. Old Jed can sure hold his liquor—and a lot of it, too.