1. Literally weak tea: This refers to tea that has been brewed with too little tea leaves or steeped for too short a time, resulting in a pale and flavorless drink.
2. Lacking substance or strength: This is the more common meaning of the phrase. It's used to describe something that is:
* Unconvincing: A weak argument, a weak excuse, a weak defense.
* Insignificant: A weak opponent, a weak competitor, a weak performance.
* Unimpressive: A weak effort, a weak story, a weak joke.
3. Someone who is timid or submissive: This usage is less common but still occurs. A "weak tea" person might be described as someone who is easily swayed, lacks confidence, or is unwilling to stand up for themselves.
Example sentences:
* "Your excuse for being late is just weak tea. I've heard it all before."
* "The team's performance was weak tea this season. They didn't win a single game."
* "She's a weak tea kind of person, always letting others walk all over her."
So, the next time you hear someone say "weak tea," consider the context to understand what they truly mean.