# slop bowl

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/slop-bowl
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

One of the four components of the traditional tea set. Tea drinkers emptied their unwanted, cold tea into the slop bowl before refilling their cups with fresh, hot tea.

## Examples

- She poured the cold tea into the slop bowl.
- At the formal tea party, guests quietly tipped their unfinished cups into the slop bowl before the server brought fresh tea.
- The antique dealer lifted the delicate porcelain slop bowl with reverence, explaining how Victorian hostesses once used it to collect dregs before pouring their guests a second, steaming cup.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.