Phrase guide

now you're cooking

phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

phrase

Meaning 1

Used to praise someone for adopting a more effective or suitable method or approach, or to signal that progress is being made.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Alice: "Why are you still using that old software? You should try out the new version."
  • Bob: "Hey, this is really nice; much better than that crusty stuff we were using before."
  • Alice: "Now you're cooking!"

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Derives from a version of the advertising slogan Now you're cooking with gas!, that entered the popular lexicon in the 1930s. See also cooking with gas.