Phrase guide

suck a lemon

verb · 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

verb

Meaning 1

To be in a sour or negative mood.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, idiomatic

Examples

  • I knew he must've woke up sucking a lemon when he didn't even say hello.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From the grimace one sometimes gets from tasting the tartness of a lemon's citric acid.