A couch potato
/ə kaʊtʃ pəˈteɪtəʊ/informalUK · US
What does “A couch potato” mean?
A couch potato means someone who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television
You might call yourself a couch potato after a weekend spent watching an entire series. Calling somebody else one can sound less affectionate.
It suggests a habit of inactivity, not simply enjoying one film. It is not a description of someone’s body size.
When do people say it?
A joking or critical label for someone who spends much of their free time on the sofa watching TV. It can sound insulting.
“I was a couch potato all weekend and watched three whole series.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
The phrase pictures a person sitting as still as a potato on a couch. The humour comes from treating inactivity as if the person were an unmoving object.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “A couch potato” in other languages?
Last updated 2026-10-01