Adams ale

Adam’s ale

Meaning

A reference to water – often used to emphasize the purity of water compared to other drinks.

Examples

I didn’t want a beer when I finished the marathon – Adam’s ale was all I needed.

Where did it originate?

The United Kingdom, 17th century.

Where is it used?

Worldwide, but most common in the UK.

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About the Author

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.