Put the bread in the cupboard

(Idiom) Take the simple solution to a problem instead of over-complicating it.

Origin:
The phrase comes from an anecdote about a dog that kept stealing bread left on the kitchen counter. The owner tried punishing the dog, which worked if they were home, but the problem continued whenever the dog was unsupervised. When they asked for advice, someone simply said, “Can you put the bread in the cupboard?” Sometimes the easiest fix is the most effective one.

Usage:
If a simple action will prevent an unnecessary problem, and doesn’t inconvenience you, then just “put the bread in the cupboard.”

Completely unrelated to "put the fries in the bag."

"I was totally overthinking which flavor of coffee creamer to buy. All I needed to do was put the bread in the cupboard and get both. I had a buy-one-get-one coupon, anyway."

"Your roommate situation does sound annoying, but sometimes you just have to put the bread in the cupboard. Have you tried carrying your toiletries to and from the bathroom instead of leaving them in the shower? Maybe then they'll stop using your shampoo."

by crumbsalad November 19, 2025

Indian in the Cupboard

The inner native in every one (despite race)that comes out after too much cheap whisky(wishkey)

*Jeff punches baby

Craig:"whats wrong with Jeff"
Aaron"Hes been drinking Canadian Club all day. He let loose the indian in the cupboard."

by SMegMatic69 May 10, 2022

clearing out the airing cupboard

A poo of so epic a proportion that no matter how many hands of paper towels you pull out to buff up your rusty star the old brown biro never runs out of ink , hide your socks

USED ALL THE CHUFFING BOG ROLL

Shouting from the bog ......
Throw up another bog roll love , Im clearing out the airing cupboard up here

Gone through more bog roll than a covid 19 panic buying individual

by Trentbridge Troll April 16, 2021

old lady's cupboards

When something literally has the smell or taste of an old lady's cupboards. It is not an euphemism.

-An old lady once gave me a KitKat chocolate brar that she had in her cupboard for 5 years, and it literally tasted like old lady's cupboards.
-Is old lady's cupboards some kind of euphemism?
(laughter and hilarity all around)
-No, it is not.

by WonderWumbo October 18, 2020

raid my cupboard

Stealing your friends load when he's trying to give his girlfriend a facial during a threesome involving you.

I was about to give her a nice pearl necklace during our three way, but my friend tried to raid my cupboard for himself.

by NasT4U May 23, 2023

Cupboard handle

So not cool. Said to someone who thinks they're in the cool group. But isn't.

You're such a cupboard handle 🙄

by Jesta95 May 25, 2023

Shit cupboard

Cupboard where you store all the stuff you don’t need but can’t bare to throw away, just in case.

Gaz said “ I had to replace my toilet on Sunday but to get to the stop cock I then had to empty my shit cupboard....

by Dan1ssol June 19, 2024