13 Phrases for Expressing Disgust (at Food/Smell)
When something smells awful or tastes terrible, your reaction matters—especially in English! These 13 phrases for expressing disgust help you respond honestly (and often humorously) to spoiled food, strange odors, or revolting surprises. Whether you’re at a dinner party, walking past a dumpster, or tasting an “adventurous” dish, these expressions let you convey “This is gross!” in a natural, fluent way.
Common Ways to Say ‘That’s Disgusting!’
Strong & Direct Reactions
- That’s disgusting! The most common and clear expression of revulsion. You tried to eat week-old sushi? That’s disgusting!
- Ew! / Eww! Instant, emotional sound—used by everyone, from kids to adults. Ew! What is that smell?
- That smells awful! Direct and practical—perfect for bad odors. That smells awful—did something die in here?
- This tastes terrible! Honest feedback when food is inedible. This tastes terrible—like burnt plastic!
Vivid & Descriptive
- It smells like something died. Dramatic but common—used for extreme stench. It smells like something died in the fridge.
- This tastes like cardboard. Suggests blandness, dryness, or stale flavor. This tastes like cardboard—did they even cook it?
- It’s so slimy! Focuses on unpleasant texture—common with seafood or overcooked veggies. It’s so slimy—I can’t even swallow it.
- What even is this? Confused and repulsed—implies the food is unrecognizable. What even is this? It’s green and bubbling!
Casual & Humorous
- No thanks—I’ll pass. Polite refusal with implied disgust. “Try this durian smoothie!” — “No thanks—I’ll pass.”
- I’d rather eat dirt. Exaggerated humor to show strong dislike. I’d rather eat dirt than have that again.
- Hard pass. Very modern, informal—popular in U.S. English. “Want to try fermented shrimp?” — “Hard pass.”
Physical Reactions
- I almost gagged. Shows how bad it was—used after the fact. I almost gagged when I took a bite.
- That made me want to throw up. Strong, visceral reaction—use with close friends. That made me want to throw up—don’t order the mystery stew!
Real-Life Dialogues
Friend: Try this “stinky tofu”! It’s a delicacy.
You: Ew! It smells like something died!
Friend: That’s the point! What even is this?
You: Hard pass. I believe you—but I’m not brave enough.
Roommate: Did you leave fish in the sink?
You: No! But that smells awful.
Roommate: Open the window! I almost gagged walking in.
Quick Tips: Choosing the Right Phrase
| Situation | Recommended Expression | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Reacting to a bad smell | That smells awful! | Clear, immediate, and universally understood. |
| Refusing food politely | No thanks—I’ll pass. | Kind but firm—avoids hurting feelings. |
| Texting a friend about a gross meal | Hard pass. | Modern, casual, and widely used in U.S. English. |
| Describing texture disgust | It’s so slimy! | Specific and sensory—helps others understand exactly what went wrong. |
Practice Tip
Next time you smell something strange or taste something weird (even something as mild as overcooked broccoli), try reacting out loud with “Ew!” or “This tastes like…”—it’s a fun, safe way to build fluency!
Why This Matters
- Using these 13 phrases for expressing disgust helps you react authentically in real-life situations—from street food stalls to shared apartments.
- It makes your spoken English more vivid, emotional, and culturally natural.
- Native speakers use these expressions daily—learning them helps you understand movies, shows, and casual chats better.
Disgust is universal—but how you express it in English can be funny, dramatic, or politely subtle. Try using one of these 13 phrases for expressing disgust the next time something smells or tastes off. Just maybe… not at a fancy dinner! Happy learning! 😊
