Cool MateA couple of drinks vs It was just a few drinks
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
A couple of drinks
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
It was just a few drinks
Top 3,000 (common)
Most formal: It was just a few drinksMost common: It was just a few drinks
| A couple of drinks | It was just a few drinks | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ə ˈkʌpəl əv drɪŋks//🇺🇸 //ə ˈkʌpəl əv drɪŋks// | 🇬🇧 //ɪt wəz dʒʌst ə fjuː drɪŋks//🇺🇸 //ɪt wəz dʒʌst ə fju drɪŋks// |
| Meaning | A few alcoholic beverages. | A small number of alcoholic beverages. |
| Example | Let's go out for a couple of drinks after work. | We only had a few drinks before heading home. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | go for a couple of drinks, have a couple of drinks, enjoy a couple of drinks | have a few drinks, few drinks at a bar, just a few drinks, few drinks with friends |
| Common mistakes | Using 'drink' instead of 'drinks' when discussing multiple beverages., Saying 'two drinks' instead of 'a couple of drinks' when referring to an unspecified small number. | Using 'drink' instead of 'drinks' when referring to multiple., Confusing 'few' with 'little' when counting drinks., Overusing the phrase in contexts where specificity is required. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversations, often when discussing plans to socialize or unwind. Avoid in formal contexts. | Typically used in casual conversation to suggest moderation in drinking. Avoid in very formal contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: A couple of drinks vs It was just a few drinks
What's the difference between A couple of drinks and It was just a few drinks?
A couple of drinks: A few alcoholic beverages. It was just a few drinks: A small number of alcoholic beverages.
Which is more formal: A couple of drinks and It was just a few drinks?
It was just a few drinks is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: A couple of drinks and It was just a few drinks?
It was just a few drinks is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
A couple of drinks: Let's go out for a couple of drinks after work. It was just a few drinks: We only had a few drinks before heading home.
Can I use A couple of drinks and It was just a few drinks interchangeably?
Not always. A couple of drinks and It was just a few drinks are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.