# what's your poison

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/whats-your-poison
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Used to someone what alcoholic beverage they would like to drink: what drink would you like to have?

## Examples

- We are at the bar, so tell me, what's your poison?
- The host greeted his guests warmly and asked, "What's your poison for the evening?"
- As the evening progressed, the host circulated through the room with a tray of spirits, asking each guest what's your poison.

## Origin

The phrase is derived from the informal use of poison to denote an intoxicating drink or liquor, a classification based upon the literal fact that such beverages are toxic to the human body.

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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.