china
(tʃaɪnə )
1. uncountable noun [oft NOUN noun] B2
China is a hard white substance made from clay. It is used to make things such as cups, bowls, plates, and ornaments.
...a small boat made of china.
...china cups.
2. See also bone china
3. uncountable noun
Cups, bowls, plates, and ornaments made of china are referred to as china.
Judy collects blue and white china.
Synonyms: pottery, ceramics, ware, porcelain
4. a bull in a china shop phrase [usu like PHR]
You say that someone is like a bull in a china shop when they are very clumsy.
Image of china
© aphotostory, Shutterstock
Idioms:
a bull in a china shop
someone who says or does things which offend or upset people in situations where they should be more careful
In confrontational situations I am like a bull in a china shop.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
someone would not do something for all the tea in China
said to emphasize that someone definitely does not want to do something
He would not change his job for all the tea in China.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Collocations:
china bowl china cup china plates fine china
Stand the pears in a glass or china bowl and simmer the liquid for a further ten minutes.
Times, Sunday Times
Turn into a glass or china bowl.
Times, Sunday Times
She peers into a little china bowl.
Times, Sunday Times
Served in fine china bowls with silver cutlery, are fresh yoghurt, strawberries, granola and honey.
The Sun
Pour into small china bowls or sundae glasses, filling almost to the brim.
Times, Sunday Times
I pour milk into her china cup.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It's like dancing on a tightrope across a ravine carrying a china cup and saucer.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
And he brought back old-fashioned dinners served at tables bearing china plates, metal cutlery, napkins and flowers.
The Sun
We saw one house with its walls standing on which were pictures and even china plates intact.
Times, Sunday Times
Popular songs were written in his honour and his face peered out from china plates and cigarette cards.
Times, Sunday Times
And she will only eat from china plates on a tablecloth.
The Sun
At each stop he meets generals and politicians to whom he hands out paperweights, pens and china plates inscribed with his crest.
Times, Sunday Times
The new uniforms alone cost 300,000 and the hotel boasts 52,000 pieces of fine china.
Times, Sunday Times
The film takes pleasure in surfaces — silk-draped interiors, fine china — then disrupts the perfection with some appalling revelations.
Times, Sunday Times
If you're lucky enough to have inherited fine china, dig it out now.
Times, Sunday Times
Served in fine china bowls with silver cutlery, are fresh yoghurt, strawberries, granola and honey.
The Sun
Accompanied, of course, by tea and the polite tinkling of fine china.
Times, Sunday Times
Translations:
Chinese: 瓷器, 中国
Japanese: 磁器, 中国