noun
Heineken
Heineken (noun) means Informal, jokey use of the brand name to mean something that reaches or affects places or people that other, similar things cannot, echoing an old advertising slogan. Example: “This new painkiller is a real Heineken — it works where nothing else has.”
noun
1
Informal, jokey use of the brand name to mean something that reaches or affects places or people that other, similar things cannot, echoing an old advertising slogan.
"For me REBT is the Heineken of therapies, reaching humorous parts of myself that other therapies cannot reach."
— Windy Dryden, Rationality and Pluralism (2013)
"This new painkiller is a real Heineken — it works where nothing else has."
How to use Heineken
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA jokey way of praising something's unusual reach or effectiveness, borrowed from a beer advert's catchphrase.
When to use it
Informal and slightly dated; mostly understood by people familiar with the original UK advertising campaign.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Heinekens
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
This new painkiller is a real _____ — it works where nothing else has.
Etymology
Borrowed from German Heineken.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Heineken” mean?
The word “Heineken” means informal, jokey use of the brand name to mean something that reaches or affects places or people that other, similar things cannot, echoing an old advertising slogan. In plain terms, a jokey way of praising something's unusual reach or effectiveness, borrowed from a beer advert's catchphrase.
How do you use “Heineken” in a sentence?
Here is “Heineken” used in a sentence: “This new painkiller is a real Heineken — it works where nothing else has.”
What part of speech is “Heineken”?
“Heineken” is a noun.
What is the meaning of Heineken?
"Heineken" (noun) means informal, jokey use of the brand name to mean something that reaches or affects places or people that other, similar things cannot, echoing an old advertising slogan.
