iːt jɔr wɜrdz
Food & Cooking
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- To consume the words you have spoken
What does "eat your words" mean?
- To be forced to admit that something you said was wrong
- To retract a statement because it proved incorrect
Examples
- He said we'd never succeed, but he had to eat his words.
- I made her eat her words when I proved her wrong.
- The critic had to eat his words when the film became a hit.
Origin
Dating from the 16th century, the metaphor suggests literally consuming false or rash words as punishment. Oliver Cromwell reportedly told a group to 'eat up their own words.'
How to use it
Implies satisfaction in proving someone wrong. Often used when someone's confident prediction fails.
Similar expressions
take it back
retract
admit you were wrong
Opposites
stand by your words
be proven right
Related idioms
- piece of cake
Something very easy to do
- a piece of cake
Something very easy to do
- in a nutshell
In a very brief or concise form
- an apple a day keeps the doctor away
Eating fruit or having a healthy diet helps maintain good health
- bite off more than you can chew
To take on more responsibility or work than one can handle
- don't put all your eggs in one basket
Don't risk everything on a single opportunity
Use it in a practice answer
Try "eat your words" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.