The Open Dictionary

cook

noun

UK/kʊk/
US/kʊk/

Definitions of cook noun

  1. A2Countable

    A person who prepares food for consumption.

    • The cook at this restaurant has exceptional skills.

    • She dreams of becoming a famous cook.

    • My grandma is a wonderful cook; her dishes are always so delicious.

verb

UK/kʊk/
US/kʊk/

Definitions of cook verb

  1. A1TransitiveIntransitive

    To prepare food by heating it through methods such as baking, boiling, or frying; also, to undergo the process of being heated to a ready-to-eat state.

    • He is cooking dinner in the kitchen.

    • This dish needs to cook for about twenty minutes.

    • I enjoy cooking at home and experimenting with different recipes.

Idioms

  • cook the books

    To dishonestly alter financial records of an organization, typically to steal money.

    • They were arrested on suspicion of cooking the books.

  • be cooking

    To be making good progress or performing exceptionally well.

    • Ever since he started using the new method, his sales have been consistently climbing; he's really cooking now!

  • Too many cooks spoil the broth

    This idiom is used to describe situations where an excess of people are involved in a task, leading to confusion and a poor outcome.

    • The project team has too many members, and they all want to take the lead; the result is a classic case of 'too many cooks spoil the broth.'

  • What's cooking?

    Used to inquire about current activities or someone's plans.

    • Hey, everyone! What's cooking? Any new developments?

  • too many cooks spoil the broth

    This idiom is used to describe a situation where an excess of people involved in a task hinders its progress and leads to a poor outcome.

    • The project had potential at first, but after too many people got involved, the result was a mess; too many cooks spoil the broth.

  • cook someone's goose

    to ruin someone's plans or chances of success; to completely spoil someone's prospects.

    • If he makes one more mistake, that will really cook his goose.

  • what's cooking?

    Used to ask what is happening or what someone is planning.

    • Hey, what's cooking? You guys look like you're up to something.

Phrasal Verbs of cook

  • cook something up

    to fabricate a narrative, plan, or similar, typically in a dishonest manner

    • He cooked up a story to avoid taking responsibility.