liquor

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.

See also: hold

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.

See also: up

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.

See also: up

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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.

See also: drink, hold

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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!

See also: hold