soursour1 /saʊə $ saʊr/ ●●● S3 adjective 
Rachel sampled the wine. It was sour. sour cherries → sweet-and-sour
► see thesaurus at taste2milk or other food that is sour is not fresh and has a bad tasteturn/go sour (=become sour)RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say milk goes bad or, in British English, goes off, rather than goes sour.3unfriendly or looking bad-temperedsour look/face/smile etc Eliza was tall and thin, with a rather sour face. a sour-faced old man4informal if a relationship or plan turns or goes sour, it becomes less enjoyable, pleasant, or satisfactory: As time went by, their marriage turned sour. The meeting ended on a sour note, with neither side able to reach agreement.5sour grapes used to say that someone is pretending that they dislike something because they want it but cannot have it – used to show disapproval—sourly adverb—sourness noun [uncountable]
WORD ORIGINsour1
Origin:
Old English surEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- In these temperatures, milk goes sour very quickly.
- Kvass is a mild beer that is sometimes used in Russian cooking for its sour flavor.
- She always had the same sour expression.
- The milk smells a little sour.
- The strawberries are a little sour - you may need to put sugar on them.
- The wine was so sour that I couldn't drink it.
- These cherries are really sour.
- I smelt the sour odour of sweaty robes and noticed a brazier of gleaming charcoal had been rolled in.
- In 1993, a wage garnishment was filed against him stemming from a diamond sale gone sour.
- Soon he would smell the first sour tang of winter on the sea breezes.
- The minute the sour flavor exploded in his mouth, slivers of intense pain filled his head.
- The vision of bedsit freedom would soon turn sour.
- Too often relationships go sour or become impoverished through lack of attention.
- What is sour comes from pretending to be what we are not.
THESAURUSdescribing the taste of something
having a very good taste: · This cake is delicious!· a delicious meal
having a very bad taste: · The medicine tasted disgusting.· They had to eat revolting things, like fish eyes.
tasting full of sugar: · The oranges were very sweet.
especially spoken tasting good and with plenty of flavour: · She cooked us a simple but tasty meal.· That was really tasty!
having a taste that stings your tongue slightly, like lemon does – used especially when this is rather unpleasant: · The apples were a little sour.· The wine has rather a tart taste, which not everyone will like.
having a taste that stings your tongue slightly, like lemon does, in a way that seems good: · The dressing was nice and tangy.
having a strong taste which is not sweet and is sometimes rather unpleasant – used for example about black coffee, or chocolate without sugar: · bitter chocolate· The medicine had rather a bitter taste.· Hops give beer its distinctive bitter taste.
containing a lot of salt: · Danish salami has a salty flavour.
having a burning taste because it contains strong spices: · I love hot curries.· a spicy tomato sauce
formal a little spicy – used especially by people who write about food. This word can sound rather pretentious in everyday conversation: · cooked vegetables in a piquant sauce
not having a strong or hot taste – usually used about foods that can sometimes be spicy: · a mild curry
not having an interesting taste: · I found the sauce rather bland.
having a strong sharp taste that is not sweet, like black coffee without sugar – used especially about chocolate, medicine etc: · The dessert is made with a slightly bitter chocolate.· Hops give beer its distinctive bitter taste.· The medicine tasted bitter.· As the lettuce gets older, the leaves become more bitter.
having a taste that makes your tongue sting slightly: · Rhubarb has quite a sharp taste.· The cheese has a pleasing colour and a pleasantly sharp flavour.
having a usually unpleasant sharp acid taste, like the taste of a lemon, or a fruit that is not ready to be eaten – used especially about fruit, or about liquids that have gone bad: · Some people say that the purpose of the lemon’s sour taste is to stop the fruit being eaten by animals.· Rachel sampled the wine. It was sour.
very sour – used especially about liquids or things made with fruits such as oranges, lemons, or grapes: · Some fruit juices taste a bit acidic.
having a taste that is pleasantly strong or sharp, and that often tastes a little sweet as well: · The ribs are cooked in a tangy barbecue sauce.
having a taste that lacks sweetness – used especially about fruit such as apples, which you need to add sugar to: · The pudding had rather a tart flavour.· The trees were covered with tart wild plums.
Longman Language Activatornot fresh especially spoken if food goes off or goes bad , it starts to decay because it has been kept for too long: · Can you smell this milk and see if you think it's gone off?· I don't think we should eat that meat now - it's probably gone bad.
especially British food that is bad is not good to eat, because it has started to decay: · She must have eaten something bad because she was really sick in the night.· Shall I just throw away these bad apples?
bread, cake etc that is stale is hard, dry, and unpleasant to eat: · This bread's stale - have we got another loaf?· All we got was a cup of tea and a bit of stale cake.go stale: · Put the biscuits back in the tin or they'll go stale.
milk, cream, wine etc that is sour tastes bitter and smells unpleasant: · The wine was so sour that I couldn't drink it.go sour: · In these temperatures, milk goes sour very quickly.
fruit, vegetables, meat etc that is rotten is very badly decayed, has gone soft, smells unpleasant, and cannot be eaten: · There were some cheap oranges in the market but most of them were rotten.· the unmistakable smell of rotten eggs
because you want something that someone else has you feel jealous when someone has something that you want, and you are annoyed that they have it and you do not: · Maybe he's jealous because I got the job and he didn't.jealous of: · I guess some of the other kids are jealous of her talent.· Rasputin was killed by men who were jealous of his influence with the Russian royal family.
especially written you feel envious when someone has something nice or special, and you wish that you had it too: · I see people who have opportunities I don't have, and I get envious.· She looks good, and enjoys the envious stares of other women.envious of: · Lewis was envious of Forney's success.
to wish that you had the same abilities, possessions etc as someone else: · I envied her. She looked so calm and capable.envy somebody for something: · He always envied his brother for the way he made friends so easily.envy somebody something: · I envied him his freedom to do or say what he wanted.
a feeling of wanting something that someone else has, especially when this makes you angry or unhappy: · Professional jealousy can cause huge problems in the office.jealousy of: · On one level, the story of Snow White is about a mother's jealousy of her daughter's beauty and sexuality.
the feeling you have when you want something that someone else has: · It was difficult to hide her envy as Jim described his new job.green with envy (=very envious): · Before you get green with envy, I had to do a lot of stuff that wasn't so glamorous, too.be the envy of somebody (=be something that someone else would like to have): · The country has a low crime rate that is the envy of most other countries.
spoken say this when you think that someone's bad or angry behaviour is caused by jealousy: · Brown said his rival's comments were just sour grapes..
with a sour taste food that is sour , especially fruit, has a taste that stings your tongue slightly, like a lemon does: · The strawberries are a little sour - you may need to put sugar on them.· Kvass is a mild beer that is sometimes used in Russian cooking for its sour flavor.
fruits that are tart , especially apples, sting your tongue and make water come into your mouth: · This tart citrus dressing is great on salads.· Red currants are quite tart and usually need sugar or honey.
having a strong but pleasant taste that stings your tongue: · The drink had a very sharp lemony taste.· I like this marmalade. It's very sharp.· The lemon juice gives the dressing its sharp flavour.
having a fresh, pleasant taste that stings your tongue slightly: · The orange juice had a delicious tangy taste.· We made a tangy mayonnaise from yoghurt and honey.
when relationships are unfriendly · She used to get on well with her neighbours but now things aren't very friendly.· Unfriendly relations between the two countries nearly led to war.on unfriendly terms/not on friendly terms (=with an unfriendly relationship) · They've been on unfriendly terms ever since their argument.
less friendly than usual, so that people do not smile at each other, talk to each other in a friendly way etc: · The cool relationship between the two men affected the entire team.· When Bill finally arrived, nearly an hour late, he got a rather cool reception.
a situation or relationship that is strained is not friendly or relaxed, because people feel worried or do not trust each other: · The meeting took place in a strained atmosphere.· Our relationship became very strained because I had refused to lend him money.
very unfriendly, especially following an argument or because someone feels offended: · After their quarrel, things between Maria and her father were rather frosty.
if a relationship turns sour , the people involved in it start to dislike each other and to behave in an unfriendly way towards each other: · After five years their marriage turned sour and ended in divorce.· When the company began to lose money, things turned sour between the directors.
WORD SETSabalone, nounacetic acid, nounadditive, nounaftertaste, nounà la carte, adjectiveal dente, adjectivealfresco, adjectiveambrosia, nounangelica, nounaniseed, nounantipasto, nounappetizer, nounarrowroot, nounbad, adjectivebaker, nounbaking powder, nounbaking soda, nounbanana split, nounbanger, nounbanquet, nounbanqueting hall, nounbarbie, nounbarley, nounbasil, nounbass, nounbatch, nounbay leaf, nounBBQ, nounbean, nounbean curd, nounbeansprout, nounbeef, nounbeefburger, nounbeefsteak, nounbeet, nounbell pepper, nounberry, nounbetel, nounbetel nut, nounbicarbonate of soda, nounbilberry, nounbill of fare, nounbinge, nounbinge, verbbistro, nounblackberry, nounblack-eyed bean, nounblack pepper, nounblack pudding, nounblend, verbblend, nounblueberry, nounboard, nounbolt, verbbone, verbbon vivant, nounbony, adjectivebox lunch, nounbramble, nounbran, nounbrandy butter, nounbrasserie, nounbrawn, nounbreakfast, nounbrisket, nounbroiler, nounbroiler chicken, nounbroth, nounbrown rice, nounbrunch, nounbubble gum, nounbuckwheat, nounbuffet, nounbun, nounbus, verbbusboy, nounbutcher, nounbutcher, verbbutchery, nounbuttercream, nounbutty, nouncafé, nouncafeteria, nouncaff, nouncaffeine, nouncake, nouncan, verbcandy, nouncanned, adjectivecapon, nouncapsicum, nouncaraway, nouncarbohydrate, nouncare package, nouncarvery, nouncassava, nouncater, verbcaterer, nouncatering, nouncatsup, nouncatwalk, nouncayenne pepper, nouncereal, nouncheese, nounchef, nouncherry tomato, nounchickpea, nounchilli, nounChinese, nounchip shop, nounchives, nounchocolate, nounchocolatey, adjectiveChristmas dinner, nounchuck steak, nouncitric acid, nouncitron, nounclotted cream, nounclub sandwich, nouncob, nouncobbler, nouncocoa, nouncocoa bean, nouncoconut milk, nouncoffee house, nouncoffee shop, nouncold cuts, nouncold storage, nouncold store, nouncommissary, nounconcentrate, nouncondensed milk, nouncondiment, nouncone, nounconfection, nounconfectioner, nounconfectioner's sugar, nounconfectionery, nounconserve, nouncontent, nouncontinental breakfast, nounconvenience food, nouncook-chill, adjectivecooker, nouncookie, nouncooking, nouncooking oil, nouncorn bread, nouncorn chip, nouncorncob, nouncorned beef, nouncornet, nouncornflakes, nouncornflour, nouncornmeal, nouncorn on the cob, nouncorn pone, nouncornstarch, nouncorn syrup, nouncottage cheese, nouncotton candy, nouncourgette, nouncourse, nouncover charge, nouncrab, nouncrab apple, nouncracker, nouncrackling, nouncranberry, nouncrayfish, nouncream, nouncream cheese, nouncream cracker, nouncreamer, nouncreamy, adjectivecress, nouncrisp, nouncrisp, adjectivecrispbread, nouncrispy, adjectivecroissant, nouncroquette, nouncrouton, nouncrumb, nouncrumpet, nouncrunchy, adjectivecrust, nouncrusty, adjectivecrystallized, adjectivecucumber, nouncud, nouncuisine, nouncupcake, nouncurd, nouncurdle, verbcurrant, nouncustard, nouncut, nouncutlet, noundainty, nounDanish pastry, noundate, noundefrost, verbdelicacy, noundemerara sugar, noundesiccated, adjectivedevilled, adjectivedevour, verbdiabetic, adjectivedigest, verbdigestible, adjectivedill, noundill pickle, noundine, verbdiner, noundining car, noundinner, noundinner dance, noundinner party, noundinner theater, noundinnertime, noundissolve, verbdoggy bag, noundoily, noundollop, noundough, noundown, verbdrain, verbdredge, verbdried, adjectivedried fruit, noundripping, noundrumstick, noundry goods, noundunk, verbEaster egg, nouneat, verbeatery, nouneating apple, nouneats, nounEccles cake, nounéclair, nounEdam, nounedible, adjectiveeel, nounegg, nouneggplant, nounegg roll, nounelevenses, nounendive, nounEnglish breakfast, nounEnglish muffin, nounentrée, nounepicure, nounescalope, nounevaporated milk, nounfast food, nounfeed, verbfeed, nounfeta cheese, nounfig, nounfilbert, nounfillet, verbfilling, adjectivefilling, nounfilo, nounflounder, nounfloury, adjectiveflyblown, adjectivefoil, nounfoodstuff, nounforage, nounfork, verbfortify, verbfreeze-dried, adjectiveFrench bean, nounFrench bread, nounFrench dressing, nounFrench fry, nounFrench loaf, nounFrench stick, nounfries, nounfromage frais, nounfrozen, adjectivefruit, nounfudge, nounfull-fat, adjectivegaram masala, noungarlic, noungarnish, noungarnish, verbgastronomic, adjectivegastronomy, noungel, verbginger, nounglass, nounglassware, noungolden raisin, noungoody, noungourmand, noungrain, nounGranary, adjectivegranulated, adjectivegreasy, adjectivegreasy spoon, noungreen, adjectivegrill, noungristle, noungrocer, nounground, adjectiveground beef, noungrub, noungruel, nounguava, noungum, noungumball, noungumbo, noungumdrop, nounhalal, adjectivehalibut, nounham, nounhamburger, nounhaunch, nounhead table, nounhealth food, nounheart, nounhearty, adjectiveheat, nounherb, nounhigh tea, nounhome economics, nounhot dish, nounhygiene, nounhygienic, adjectiveiceman, nounindigestible, adjectiveindigestion, nouninedible, adjectiveinfected, adjectiveingest, verbinn, nouninsipid, adjectiveintake, nounirradiate, verbjellied, adjectivejoint, nounjuice, nounjuicy, adjectivejunk, nounjunk food, nounknuckle, nounkosher, adjectivelaxative, nounlean, adjectiveleavings, nounleg, nounlight, adjectiveliquorice, nounlive, adjectiveloaf, nounlocker, nounloin, nounlotus, nounlukewarm, adjectivelump, nounlunch, nounlunch, verblunchbox, nounlunch break, nounluncheon, nounlunch hour, nounlunchroom, nounlunchtime, nounluscious, adjectivemace, nounMadeira cake, nounmain course, nounmaitre d', nounmaize, nounmandarin, nounmandarin orange, nounmangetout, nounmango, nounmaple syrup, nounmargarine, nounmarge, nounmarmalade, nounmarrow, nounmarshmallow, nounMason jar, nounmasticate, verbmature, adjectivemature, verbmeal, nounmealie, nounmealtime, nounmealy, adjectivemeat, nounmeat-packing, nounmeaty, adjectivemellow, adjectivementhol, nounmentholated, adjectivemenu, nounmess, nounmess, verbmess hall, nounmilk chocolate, nounmillet, nounmince, nounmint, nounmocha, nounmolasses, nounmoreish, adjectivemorsel, nounmouldy, adjectivemouth, nounmouthful, nounMSG, nounmunch, verbmung bean, nounmush, nounmushroom, nounmustard, nounnibble, verbnibble, nounnosh, nounnourish, verbnourishment, nounnugget, nounnut, nounnutcracker, nounnutshell, nounnutty, adjectiveoatmeal, nounoats, nounoffal, nounokra, nounon, prepositiononion, nounorder, nounoregano, nounorganic, adjectiveoverindulge, verboxtail, nounpackaging, nounpacker, nounpap, nounparcel, nounpaste, nounpastille, nounpastry, nounpatisserie, nounpearl barley, nounpectin, nounpeel, verbpeel, nounpepper, nounpepper, verbpeppercorn, nounpeppermint, nounperishable, adjectivepetit four, nounpiccalilli, nounpicnic, nounpicnic, verbpie, nounpilaff, nounpilau, nounpimento, nounpinto bean, nounpit, nounpizza parlor, nounpizzeria, nounplain chocolate, nounplain flour, nounploughman's lunch, nounpoor boy, nounpork, nounpork pie, nounpork rinds, nounporridge, nounporterhouse steak, nounportion, nounpostprandial, adjectivepotato, nounpotato crisp, nounpotted, adjectivepoultry, nounpraline, nounprawn, nounprepacked, adjectivepreservative, nounpreserve, verbpreserve, nounpretzel, nounprovision, verbprune, nounpuff pastry, nounpumpernickel, nounpumpkin, nounpuree, verbquince, nounQuorn, nounrabbit, nounrancid, adjectiverare, adjectiveravenous, adjectiveraw, adjectivered meat, nounreheat, verbrennet, nounrepast, nounreplete, adjectiverestaurant, nounrestaurant car, nounrestaurateur, nounrib, nounrice, nounrigatoni, nounrind, nounripe, adjectiveroadhouse, nounrock, nounroe, nounroll, nounroot vegetable, nounrose hip, nounrusk, nounrutabaga, nounsaccharin, nounsalad cream, nounsalad dressing, nounsalami, nounsalmon, nounsalsa, nounsalt, verbsalt, adjectivesalty, adjectivesandwich, nounsardine, nounsassafras, nounsatisfying, adjectivesatsuma, nounsauerkraut, nounsausage, nounscallion, nounscampi, nounscone, nounscoop, nounScotch broth, nounscratchings, nounseafood, nounseasoned, adjectiveseed, verbsemolina, nounservery, nounservice charge, nounserving, nounset, adjectiveshallot, nounshellfish, nounsherbet, nounshish kebab, nounshortbread, nounshortcake, nounshortcrust pastry, nounshoulder, nounshrimp cocktail, nounside order, nounsillabub, nounsimnel cake, nounsingle cream, nounsirloin, nounsitting, nounskimmed milk, nounskin, nounskin, verbslaw, nounslice, nounsliced bread, nounsloe, nounsloppy joe, nounsmorgasbord, nounsnack bar, nounsnow pea, nounsoda fountain, nounsodium chloride, nounsoft fruit, nounsorghum, nounsoul food, nounsour, adjectivesour, verbsourdough, nounsoya, nounsoya bean, nounspearmint, nounspinach, nounsponge, nounsponge cake, nounsponge pudding, nounspoon, verbspoonful, nounspotted dick, nounspread, nounspring onion, nounspring roll, nounsprout, nounspud, nounsquash, nounsquid, nounstaple, nounstarfruit, nounstarter, nounsteak, nounsteakhouse, nounsteak tartare, nounstew, nounstick, nounStilton, nounstir-fry, verbstodge, nounstone-ground, adjectivestrawberry, nounstring bean, nounstringy, adjectivestrudel, nounsub, nounsucrose, nounsuet, nounsugar, nounsugar, verbsugar-coated, adjectivesugar cube, nounsugar lump, nounsugary, adjectivesultana, nounsun-dried, adjectivesup, verbsupper, nounsustenance, nounswallow, verbswallow, nounswede, nounsweetcorn, nounsweetened condensed milk, nounsweetener, nounsweetmeat, nounsweet pepper, nounsweet potato, nounsyrup, nounsyrupy, adjectivetable d'hôte, nountaco, nountaffy, nountainted, adjectivetakeaway, nountakeout, nountangerine, nountapas, nountapioca, nountaramasalata, nountariff, nountart, nountartare sauce, nountaste, verbtasteless, adjectivetaster, nountasting, nountater, nountattie, nounT-bone steak, nountea, nounteacake, nountender, adjectivetin, nountinned, adjectivetitbit, nountoffee apple, nountofu, nountomato, nountongue, nountop, nountopping, nountop round, nountopside, nountop table, nountortilla, nountough, adjectivetransport cafe, nountreacle, nountrifle, nountripe, nountrotter, nountruck stop, nountruffle, nountub, nountuna, nounturkey, nounTurkish delight, nounturnip, nounturnover, nountutti frutti, nounTV dinner, nounTVP, noununadulterated, adjectiveunleavened, adjectiveunpalatable, adjectivevacuum-packed, adjectivevanilla, nounveal, nounvegan, nounvegetable, nounvegetarian, nounvegetarianism, nounveggie, nounvenison, nounvictual, verbvictuals, nounvoracious, adjectivevoucher, nounwaiter, nounwaitress, nounwalnut, noun-ware, suffixwarmed-over, adjectivewedge, nounwell, nounwell-done, adjectivewell-fed, adjectivewet fish, nounwheat, nounwhite, nounwhite flour, nounwhite pepper, nounwhite sauce, nounwholefood, nounwholemeal, adjectivewhole wheat, adjectivewiener, nounwild rice, nounwishbone, nounwrap, nounyeast extract, nounyoghurt, nounyogurt, nounyolk, nounyule log, nounyummy, adjectivezucchini, nounzwieback, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Eliza was tall and thin, with a rather sour face. a sour-faced old man As time went by, their marriage turned sour. The meeting ended on a sour note, with neither side able to reach agreement.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The bread’s gone mouldy.
(=become sour)
Eliza was tall and thin, with a rather sour face. a sour-faced old man As time went by, their marriage turned sour. The meeting ended on a sour note, with neither side able to reach agreement. (=not at all sweet)· Some people prefer a slightly sour apple.
(=with a slightly sour taste – used in cooking)
The bread’s gone mouldy. (=not fresh)· Milk turns sour very quickly in hot weather.
(=make them less friendly)· The dispute has soured relations between the two countries.
(=old and not fresh)· The clothes in the wardrobe had a damp musty smell.
· The purpose of the lemon’s sour taste may be to stop the fruit being eaten by animals.
· He handed me some black stuff which tasted bitter.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· Serve with apple sauce, sour cream or jam.· Fold the reduced juice into the sour cream.· Put strained liquid, sour cream, half coriander and grated Edam into a food processor or blender and whizz until smooth.· Drizzle with salsa, sour cream and chopped cilantro.· This is chutzpah on rye bread with a side order of pickles and sour cream.· Remove from heat and stir in mustards, horseradish and sour cream.· By now, his wife would have given up waiting and served the cold beetroot soup with sour cream and chives.· The bright flavor of paprika, in combination with sour cream, is a perfect foil for the succulent meat of rabbit.
· She looked back over her shoulder at him and pulled a sour face.
· It may sound like sour grapes but I assure you I feel no bitterness merely disappointed.· Sounds like sour grapes to me.· Are these just bad vibes and sour grapes or is hip hop just too naughty by nature for the mainstream?· Already one began to hear the nickname Suicide Langford; but that was either sour grapes or silly sensationalism.· There is certainly no defensiveness nor any sour grapes from me or any of the Editing for Industry committee.· Envy and sour grapes had their customary party.· This was sour grapes, a far-off voice of wisdom suggested.· Criticisms from ex-players, in my opinion, are nothing but sour grapes.
· A Tory campaign machine on full throttle generally encountered sour looks and sullen stares.
· There were cupboards hanging open, mattresses overturned and a bottle of sour milk stood in the sink.· It stood, open and scoured, to breathe the air that purified it from any hint of sour milk.· So much milk came into Waterloo that it was renowned for smelling of sour milk all day.· Her cheap, strong perfume mingled with the sour milk and woodsmoke.
· If the player tampers with those, he is blamed for hitting a sour note, not praised for a daring interpretation.· From workers there's bitterness that it's all ended on such a sour note.· This needled Stirling and the meeting ended on a sour note.· The craftsmen there hope their careers won't end on a sour note.· Yet it would be wrong to end on a sour note.· The only slightly sour note entered the proceedings with the president's plan to send a special envoy to Northern Ireland.· The only sour note was the electrified fence that marked the forbidden border zone.
· He moved around, inspecting each body carefully, holding his breath against the sour smell of corruption.· He hated the sour smell and atmosphere of the club, where chairs had been pushed back to create a studio floor.· After he had gone I found that my nightie was covered in a horrible sticky mess with a strange sour smell.· It was a sour smell, but good.· Even through her perfume she could still detect the sour smell of the sheets.· There was a sour smell and the growing heat of the sun was sucking up a mist from the waters.· There was a dank, sour smell to everything, a smell of decay and great antiquity.· A sour smell of overcrowded humanity hung in the air.
· She said her lines with the sour taste of sickness in her mouth, but got through them and her exit creditably.· A very little bit of sugar works wonders for dishes that are based on sour tastes.· But there was a sour taste in her throat suddenly.· Eventually, even her rage had gone flat and stale, leaving her with nothing but a sour taste in her mouth.· A sour taste flooded into his mouth.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
1having a sharp acid taste, like the taste of a lemon or a fruit that is not ready to be eaten OPP sweet: - Brown said his rival's comments were just sour grapes.
- Whatever I say about my ex-wife will probably sound like sour grapes.
- Already one began to hear the nickname Suicide Langford; but that was either sour grapes or silly sensationalism.
- Are these just bad vibes and sour grapes or is hip hop just too naughty by nature for the mainstream?
- Criticisms from ex-players, in my opinion, are nothing but sour grapes.
- Envy and sour grapes had their customary party.
- It may sound like sour grapes but I assure you I feel no bitterness merely disappointed.
- Sounds like sour grapes to me.
- There is certainly no defensiveness nor any sour grapes from me or any of the Editing for Industry committee.
- This was sour grapes, a far-off voice of wisdom suggested.
Rachel sampled the wine. It was sour. sour cherries → sweet-and-sour► see thesaurus at taste2milk or other food that is sour is not fresh and has a bad tasteturn/go sour (=become sour)RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say milk goes bad or, in British English, goes off, rather than goes sour.3unfriendly or looking bad-temperedsour look/face/smile etc
Eliza was tall and thin, with a rather sour face. a sour-faced old man4informal if a relationship or plan turns or goes sour, it becomes less enjoyable, pleasant, or satisfactory: As time went by, their marriage turned sour. The meeting ended on a sour note, with neither side able to reach agreement.5sour grapes used to say that someone is pretending that they dislike something because they want it but cannot have it – used to show disapproval—sourly adverb—sourness noun [uncountable]