kaʊtʃ pəˈteɪtoʊ
Food & Cooking
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- A potato sitting on a couch
What does "couch potato" mean?
- A person who watches a lot of television and is inactive
- Someone who is lazy and sedentary
Examples
- He's become a couch potato since he retired.
- Don't be a couch potato—get outside and exercise!
- Streaming services have turned many of us into couch potatoes.
Origin
Coined in 1976 by Tom Iacino of California. The potato shape resembles someone slumped on a couch, and 'potato' puns with 'boob tube' (slang for TV). Trademarked briefly by the term's creators.
How to use it
Mildly humorous but negative. Describes lazy behavior, especially excessive TV watching. Common in discussions about lifestyle.
Similar expressions
TV addict
homebody
lazy person
Opposites
active person
go-getter
Related idioms
- piece of cake
Something very easy to do
- a piece of cake
Something very easy to do
- in a nutshell
In a very brief or concise form
- an apple a day keeps the doctor away
Eating fruit or having a healthy diet helps maintain good health
- bite off more than you can chew
To take on more responsibility or work than one can handle
- don't put all your eggs in one basket
Don't risk everything on a single opportunity
Use it in a practice answer
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