Food related idioms

Here is a list of food-related idioms. Each idiom is followed by its meaning or definition. Example sentences are also given.

Eat dirt

To eat dirt is to accept bad treatment without complaining.

• My former boss was very bad. He would always make us eat dirt.

Eat humble pie

To eat humble pie is to admit your mistake and apologize.

• I had to eat humble pie when he proved that I was wrong.

Eat like a pig

This expression is used to refer to people who lack table manners.

• Why do you eat like a pig? Don’t you have any table manners?

Eat one’s words

To eat one’s words is to take back something you have said

• I told him that I was a faster sprinter than him but I had to eat my words when he proved me wrong.

To want someone’s head on a platter

To be very angry with someone

• She was so angry with her biographer that she wanted his head on a platter.

Suck up

To suck up to influential people is to try to gain favour by being extra nice to them.

• I don’t quite like Jane. She is always sucking up to the rich and the famous.