# three-martini lunch

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/three-martini-lunch
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A leisurely, expensive midday meal associated with drinking, which is tax-deductible because business is discussed.

## Examples

- The executives enjoyed a long three-martini lunch to celebrate the deal.
- The client insisted on a three-martini lunch, even though we had a busy afternoon of meetings ahead.
- The era of the three-martini lunch has largely faded, replaced by quick coffee meetings and a greater focus on professional efficiency.

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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.