iːt laɪk ə hɔrs
Animals
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- To eat as much as a horse does
What does "eat like a horse" mean?
- To eat a lot of food
- To have a very large appetite
Examples
- Teenagers eat like horses.
- After the hike, I was eating like a horse.
- He's thin but eats like a horse.
Origin
Horses are large animals that consume significant amounts of food. The comparison has been used since at least the 18th century to describe people with big appetites.
How to use it
Generally humorous observation about large appetites. Can be said with admiration or slight criticism depending on context.
Similar expressions
have a big appetite
eat a lot
wolf down food
Opposites
eat like a bird
have a small appetite
Related idioms
- kill two birds with one stone
To accomplish two goals with a single action
- let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret accidentally
- elephant in the room
An obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to discuss
- don't count your chickens before they hatch
Don't assume success before it actually happens
- hold your horses
To wait and be patient
- fish out of water
Someone who feels awkward or uncomfortable in a particular situation
Use it in a practice answer
Try "eat like a horse" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.