alphabet soup
1. Literally, a soup that contains noodles shaped like the letters of the alphabet. I used to love alphabet soup when I was a kid. You can make the kids some alphabet soup for dinner, they'll be happy with that. A: "The kids are still eating lunch?" B: "Yeah, they've been busy spelling out words in their alphabet soup."
2. By extension, an incoherent or disorganized mix (typically of letters or abbreviations). All of these acronyms in the manual have started to look like alphabet soup. A: "BAHN? ZxIU? Do you know what these acronyms are even referring to?" B: "Nope, it's all alphabet soup to me too!" Don't be discouraged, this is your first semester of French. Any foreign language looks like alphabet soup until you learn the basics.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
alphabet soup
initialisms and acronyms, especially when used excessively. The names of these government agencies are just alphabet soup. Just look at the telephone book! You can't find anything because it's filled with alphabet soup.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
alphabet soup
incomprehensible or confusing language, typically containing many abbreviations or symbols. informal The expression alludes to a kind of clear soup containing pasta in the form of letters.
2000 Montreal Mirror Like the IMF, WB, WTO and the rest of the alphabet soup, the FTAA is yet another engine of global capital.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
alphabet soup
n. initialisms and acronyms in general. Just look at the telephone book! You can’t find anything because it’s filled with alphabet soup.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.