eateat /iːt/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense ate /et, eɪt $ eɪt/, past participle eaten /ˈiːtn/) 
Felix chatted cheerfully as he ate. A small girl was eating an ice cream. We had plenty to eat and drink. It’s important to eat healthily when you are pregnant. I exercise and eat right and get plenty of sleep. Would you like something to eat? She can eat like a horse and never put on weight. We stopped at McDonalds to get a bite to eat. Good eating habits are the best way of preventing infection. ready-to-eat foods such as deli meats and cheeses ‘More cake?’ ‘No thanks, I couldn’t eat another thing.’ No chicken for me. I don’t eat meat (=I never eat meat). Does Rob eat fish?2meal [intransitive, transitive] to have a meal: Let’s eat first and then go to a movie. They’re eating breakfast.eat at We could not afford to eat at Walker’s very often.3eat your words to admit that what you said was wrong: I’m going to make you eat your words.4eat your heart out a)used to say, especially humorously, that something is very good: That’s a great drawing. Pablo Picasso eat your heart out! b)British English to be unhappy about something or to want someone or something very much: If you had any sense you’d forget him, but eat your heart out if you want to.5eat somebody alive/eat somebody for breakfast to be very angry with someone or to defeat them completely: You can’t tell him that – he’ll eat you alive!6use [transitive] to use a very large amount of something: This car eats petrol.7eat humble pie (also eat crow American English) to admit that you were wrong and say that you are sorry8I’ll eat my hat used to emphasize that you think something is not true or will not happen: If the Democrats win the election, I’ll eat my hat!9have somebody eating out of your hand to have made someone very willing to believe you or do what you want: He soon had the client eating out of his hand.10eat somebody out of house and home to eat a lot of someone’s supply of food, so that they have to buy more – used humorously11what’s eating somebody? spoken used to ask why someone seems annoyed or upset: What’s eating Sally today?12I could eat a horse spoken used to say you are very hungry13I/we won’t eat you spoken used to tell someone that you are not angry with them and they need not be frightened14you are what you eat used to say that you will be healthy if the food you eat is healthy → eats, → have your cake and eat it at cake1(6)COLLOCATIONSnounseat breakfast/lunch/dinner etc· What time do you usually eat lunch?adverbseat well (=have enough food, or have good food)· The people work hard, but they eat well.eat healthily/sensibly (=eat food that will keep you healthy)· If you eat healthily and exercise regularly, you’ll look and feel a lot better.eat properly British English, eat right American English (=eat food that will keep you healthy)· He hadn’t been eating properly and was drinking far too much.eat hungrily (=eat a lot quickly, because you are very hungry)· The children ate hungrily, devouring everything on their plate.eat sparingly (=eat very little)· Carter joined us for lunch, but ate sparingly, as he always did.phraseshave something/nothing to eat (=eat something/nothing)· We’ll leave after we’ve had something to eat.have enough/plenty etc to eat· Have you had enough to eat?have little to eat (=not have enough food)· The refugees had very little to eat and no clean water.find something to eat· I got dressed and went downstairs to find something to eat.get something to eat (=prepare or buy some food)· I’m sure you can get something to eat on the train.somebody’s eating habits (=the kinds of things they eat or drink regularly)· The doctor asked me about my eating habits and how much I smoked.an eating disorder (=a mental illness which causes you to eat too much or too little)· She described her battle with the eating disorder bulimia.a bite to eat (=a small meal)· We should have time for a bite to eat before we set out.eat like a horse (=eat a lot)· She eats like a horse but never puts on any weight!eat like a bird (=eat very little)· Ever since she was a child, Jan had always eaten like a bird.I couldn’t eat another thing spoken (=used to say that you are completely full)· Thanks, that was lovely, but I couldn’t eat another thing.THESAURUSeat to put food in your mouth and chew and swallow it: · Experts recommend eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.have to eat a particular food: · ‘What do you usually have for breakfast?’ ‘I usually just have coffee and toast.’· We had the set meal.feed on something to eat a particular kind of food – used when talking about animals: · Foxes feed on a wide range of foods including mice, birds, insects, and fruit.consume written to eat or drink something – used especially in scientific or technical contexts: · Babies consume large amounts relative to their body weight.munch (on) something to eat something with big continuous movements of your mouth, especially when you are enjoying your food: · He was munching on an apple.· They were sitting on a bench munching their sandwiches.nibble (on) something to eat something by biting off very small pieces: · If you want a healthy snack, why not just nibble on a carrot?pick at something to eat only a small amount of your food because you are not hungry or do not like the food: · Lisa was so upset that she could only pick at her food.stuff/gorge yourself to eat so much food that you cannot eat anything else: · He’s always stuffing himself with cakes.· We gorged ourselves on my mother’s delicious apple tart.slurp to eat soup, noodles etc with a noisy sucking sound: · In England it’s considered rude to slurp your soup, but in some countries it’s seen as a sign of enjoyment.to eat something quicklygobble something up/down informal to eat something very quickly, especially because you like it very much or you are greedy: · You’ve gobbled up all the ice-cream!· The children gobbled it down in no time.wolf something down informal to eat food quickly, especially because you are very hungry or in a hurry: · The boy wolfed down everything on his plate and asked for more.bolt something down British English to eat food very quickly, especially because you are in a hurry: · He bolted down his breakfast and was out of the door within 5 minutes.· You shouldn’t bolt your food down like that.devour /dɪˈvaʊə $ -ˈvaʊr/ especially written to eat all of something quickly because you are very hungry: · In a very short time, the snake had devoured the whole animal.to eat less food or stop eatingbe on a diet to be eating less or different food than normal in order to become thinner: · No cake thanks – I’m on a diet.fast to not eat for a period of time, often for religious reasons: · Muslim people fast during the month of Ramadan.eat something ↔ away phrasal verb to gradually remove or destroy something SYN erode: The stones are being eaten away by pollution.eat away at something/somebody phrasal verb1to gradually remove or reduce the amount of something: His gambling was eating away at their income.2to make someone feel very worried over a long period of time: The thought of mother alone like that was eating away at her.eat in phrasal verb to eat at home instead of in a restauranteat into something phrasal verb1to gradually reduce the amount of time, money etc that is available: John’s university fees have been eating into our savings.2to gradually damage or destroy something: Acid eats into the metal, damaging its surface.eat out phrasal verb to eat in a restaurant instead of at home: Do you eat out a lot?eat up phrasal verb1to eat all of something: Come on, eat up, there’s a good girl.eat something ↔ up She’s made a cake and wants us to help eat it up.2eat something ↔ up informal to use a lot of something, especially until there is none left: Big cars just eat up money.3be eaten up with/by jealousy/anger/curiosity etc to be very jealous, angry etc, so that you cannot think about anything else
WORD ORIGINeat
Origin:
Old English etanVERB TABLE
eat
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | eat |
| he, she, it | eats | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | ate |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have eaten |
| he, she, it | has eaten | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had eaten |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will eat |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have eaten |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am eating |
| he, she, it | is eating | |
| you, we, they | are eating | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was eating |
| you, we, they | were eating | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been eating |
| he, she, it | has been eating | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been eating |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be eating |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been eating |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Eat your dinner.
- Don't eat so fast - you'll get sick.
- Hey! - Someone's eaten all my chocolates.
- I'm not hungry, thanks - I've already eaten.
- I'm so full. I couldn't eat another thing.
- She was sitting on the wall, eating an apple.
- That big old car of mine just eats money.
- We ate dinner at around six, then went out.
- We eat out about once a month.
- We usually eat at seven o'clock.
- What time do we eat?
- And in order to eat, I needed customers.
- He would eat whatever food was brought him, but took no notice of anyone.
- I ate some fruit, followed by a tuna sandwich made with solid wholemeal bread and headed for Toby's house.
- I can not eat so much.
- She forced herself to eat some more dry biscuits and chocolate, washing them down with a small amount of water.
- This was, after all, the ceremony of eating one, not two chips.
THESAURUS
to put food in your mouth and chew and swallow it: · Experts recommend eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.
to eat a particular food: · ‘What do you usually have for breakfast?’ ‘I usually just have coffee and toast.’· We had the set meal.
to eat a particular kind of food – used when talking about animals: · Foxes feed on a wide range of foods including mice, birds, insects, and fruit.
written to eat or drink something – used especially in scientific or technical contexts: · Babies consume large amounts relative to their body weight.
to eat something with big continuous movements of your mouth, especially when you are enjoying your food: · He was munching on an apple.· They were sitting on a bench munching their sandwiches.
to eat something by biting off very small pieces: · If you want a healthy snack, why not just nibble on a carrot?
to eat only a small amount of your food because you are not hungry or do not like the food: · Lisa was so upset that she could only pick at her food.
to eat so much food that you cannot eat anything else: · He’s always stuffing himself with cakes.· We gorged ourselves on my mother’s delicious apple tart.
to eat soup, noodles etc with a noisy sucking sound: · In England it’s considered rude to slurp your soup, but in some countries it’s seen as a sign of enjoyment.
to eat something quickly informal to eat something very quickly, especially because you like it very much or you are greedy: · You’ve gobbled up all the ice-cream!· The children gobbled it down in no time.
informal to eat food quickly, especially because you are very hungry or in a hurry: · The boy wolfed down everything on his plate and asked for more.
British English to eat food very quickly, especially because you are in a hurry: · He bolted down his breakfast and was out of the door within 5 minutes.· You shouldn’t bolt your food down like that.
especially written to eat all of something quickly because you are very hungry: · In a very short time, the snake had devoured the whole animal.
to eat less food or stop eating to be eating less or different food than normal in order to become thinner: · No cake thanks – I’m on a diet.
to not eat for a period of time, often for religious reasons: · Muslim people fast during the month of Ramadan.
Longman Language Activatorto eat · Don't eat so fast - you'll get sick.· I'm so full. I couldn't eat another thing.· She was sitting on the wall, eating an apple.· Hey! - Someone's eaten all my chocolates.
to eat a particular thing: · I wasn't very hungry, so I just had a sandwich.· I think I'll just have one more piece of cake.have something for lunch/dinner/breakfast: · What shall we have for dinner?· I usually just have fruit for breakfast.
to bite food several times and turn it around in your mouth: · I chewed the toffee slowly.· There was a cow in the field, slowly chewing a mouthful of grass.
to make something go down your throat towards your stomach: · If you drink some water it will make the pills easier to swallow.· I threw a piece of meat to the dog and he swallowed it in one go.
to eat something soft by moving your tongue across its surface: · The children sat licking their ice creams.lick something off something: · Nina licked the melted chocolate off her fingers.
to eat or drink something - used especially in scientific or technical contexts: · In order to survive human beings need to consume food and water.· People who consume large amounts of animal fats are more likely to get cancer and heart disease.
to eat eagerly and with enjoyment: · Dinner's ready everyone. Dig in!· Nick was already at the table, tucking in.tuck into: · "This is delicious!'' he said, tucking into his steak and kidney pudding.
if animals or babies feed , they eat or drink: · Most new babies will want to feed every few hours.· The pigs were feeding from a trough in the middle of the yard.feed on: · The larvae feed on the young shoots of water-lilies.
American informal to eat, especially in a noisy way or in a way that shows you are very hungry: · We each grabbed a container of ice cream and chowed down.chow down on: · The kids were chowing down on a large pizza.
to have a meal to eat a meal : have breakfast/lunch/dinner: · Have you had lunch?· Make sure you have a good breakfast because lunch isn't until two o'clock.have a meal: · We had an excellent meal in a Thai restaurant.
to eat a meal: · We usually eat at seven o'clock.· I'm not hungry, thanks - I've already eaten.eat out (=eat a meal in a restaurant): · We eat out about once a month.eat breakfast/lunch/dinner: · We ate dinner at around six, then went out.
to eat something such as a small meal or a sandwich: · Shall we stop here and have something to eat?· Halfway to Berlin we stopped to have something to eat.· The movie didn't start for another hour, so we had something to eat in the cafe across the street.
informal to eat something quickly, such as a small meal or a sandwich, because you are in a hurry: · Let's grab something to eat before we go out.· Do you want to grab a bite to eat, or can you wait until we get home?
to eat a small meal in the time between your main meals: · I usually have a snack at about 3 o'clock.· Dinner wouldn't be ready for a couple hours, so we had a snack while we watched television.
to eat small amounts of food between main meals or instead of a meal: · Children who snack often develop poor eating habits.snack on: · Tim was always snacking on potato chips and popcorn.
formal to eat a meal, often a formal or official meal, especially in the evening: dine with: · I have received an invitation to dine with the Mayor.dine alone: · Dining alone this evening?dine on: · Guests dined on sea bass and saffron potato mousseline.dine out (=have a meal in a restaurant): · It's a place where the famous can dine out and not be bothered.
to eat a lot or too much to eat so much food that you cannot eat anything else: stuff/gorge yourself with: · Having stuffed himself with burgers, Terry was unable to finish his dessert.stuff/gorge yourself on: · The Romans would gorge themselves on grapes and plums.
informal to eat a lot of food -- used humorously: · Last night we pigged out and ate three pizzas.pig out on: · When he's depressed he always pigs out on ice cream.
informal to eat too much food -- used especially humorously, and used to say that someone has behaved in an embarrassing way when eating with other people: · I had four pieces of cake and made a real pig of myself.· Don't make such a pig of yourself; you've eaten enough.
to regularly eat too much in a way that is bad for your health: · You need to watch your weight - have you been overeating?· A woman who overeats during pregnancy can cause health problems for her child.
to eat something very quickly informal to eat food quickly and eagerly, especially because you are very hungry or are in a hurry: wolf down something: · I wolfed down my breakfast but still felt hungry.· They were already late so they wolfed down their lunch and caught the 2.30 train.wolf something down: · When the food finally came she wolfed it down immediately.
British to eat something too quickly, especially because you are in a hurry: bolt down something: · He bolted down two hamburgers then washed them down with Coca-Cola.bolt something down: · Don't bolt your food down! Chew it up slowly.
to eat something quickly and noisily, especially because you are taking a lot of food into your mouth: gobble something up/down: · Mike gobbled his lunch down then dashed off to meet his next client.gobble up/down something: · The cat leapt onto the kitchen counter and gobbled up the smoked salmon intended for dinner.
British informal /scarf American informal to eat something very quickly: · I left three pies in the fridge and someone's scoffed the lot!scarf up/down something: · I scarfed down breakfast in my car on the way to work.scarf something up/down: · Wow, you two really scarfed those cookies up.
to eat noisily to eat something with continuous movements of your mouth, especially when you are enjoying your food: · Jamie came out of the store munching a bag of potato chips.munch on: · We sipped black coffee and munched on homemade biscuits.
to noisily eat something hard: · He drank his orange juice and crunched a half burnt piece of toast.· Jill was reading the paper, crunching a raw carrot as she read.crunch on: · Miguel, crunching on a mouthful of chips, wiped the cheese from his beard.
to eat all of something to eat all of something and not leave anything: · Come on, boys -- eat up your supper and get to bed.eat something/it/them up: · Margaret ate it all up and then asked for more.· We were always taught to eat our vegetables up.
to finish eating something: · Are you finished?· You may not leave the table until you've finished your supper.· I finished my lunch, repacked my back pack, and set off again.· Hurry up and finish so we can make the 7 o'clock show.
to finish eating the rest of the food that is still on the plate, in the pan etc: finish off/up something: · Who finished off the cake that was left after the party?· Can someone finish up these strawberries so I don't have to throw them away?finish something/it/them off: · Finish those carrots off and you can have dessert.
to eat everything that is available, with great enjoyment, until there is none left: polish off something: · At dinner he polished off six fudge brownies and then asked for some more.polish something/it/them off: · If anyone wants more pizza, come and get it before Dan polishes it all off.
to eat all of something very quickly - used humorously: · The kids demolished the cake and then ran back outside to play.· I've seen Marian demolish a big box of chocolates in one sitting!
especially written to eat all of something quickly because you are very hungry: · After the tennis match the boys devoured the sandwiches in seconds.· Wendell devoured a large piece of gingerbread, then licked his fingers greedily.
to eat small amounts of food to eat something by biting very small pieces: · The horse lowered his head and began to nibble the grass.nibble on/at: · We stood around drinking wine and nibbling on little snacks.
to eat only a small part of a meal, especially because you feel ill or unhappy: · I sat picking at my dinner, wishing I were somewhere else.
to eat almost none of your dinner, meal etc: · Are you feeling okay? You've hardly touched your dinner.· We were so full by the time dessert came that we hardly touched it.
to eat less in order to lose weight to eat less in order to lose weight: · I've been dieting for two months and I've lost 6 kilos.· She dieted and went on exercise programs but nothing seemed to work.
when you eat less food over a period of time because you want to become thinner or healthier: · I've tried all the diets and they never work.· This new diet involves eating very small amounts throughout the day.go on a diet: · The doctor told Tom to quit smoking and go on a diet.be on a diet: · Since his heart attack, Brice has been on a salt-free diet.
to stop eating or refuse to eat to stop eating food for a fixed period of time, especially for religious reasons: · Muslims fast during Ramadan.
if someone goes on a hunger strike , they refuse to eat for days or weeks in order to protest about something or bring public attention to a political problem: · More than 300 prisoners went on hunger strike in February in protest against the living conditions.be on (a) hunger strike: · 67 men had been on hunger strike since August 13th.
British especially spoken if someone is off their food , they do not want to eat, for example because they feel sick or ill: · What's wrong with Billy? He seems to be off his food.
when you have eaten enough or too much food to have eaten enough food, so that you do not want any more: · "Would you like some dessert?" "No thanks, I've had enough."· Leave the rest if you've had enough.
spoken if you are full , you have eaten so much food that you cannot eat any more: · "Would you like some more pie?" "No thanks, I'm full."
you say I couldn't eat another thing when you have eaten a lot, especially because you enjoyed the food, and are very full: · The apple pie is delicious, but I won't have another slice - I couldn't eat another thing.
having eaten so much that your stomach feels very full and uncomfortable: · I feel really bloated. I wish I hadn't eaten so much.bloated with: · He fell onto the sofa, his stomach bloated with food.
if you do something on a full stomach , you do it soon after eating a meal, when you are still feeling full: · It isn't wise to go swimming on a full stomach.
someone who enjoys eating a lot someone who usually eats a lot of food: · Don't give me such a large portion. I'm not a big eater.· What can I cook for them? They're such big eaters.
informal to enjoy food and to usually eat a lot: · Give him a big plate of spaghetti. He likes his food.· "Now there's a man who likes his food,'' she said, as her brother took a third helping of pie.
someone who knows a lot about food and drink and likes good quality food and drink: · They're real gourmets and buy only the best cuts of meat.· Many gourmets say that Camembert should never be kept in a fridge.gourmet food/cooking etc (=very good and usually expensive): · The shop only sells gourmet food, at astronomical prices.
British informal someone who is interested in food, and likes going to restaurants and trying new and unusual foods: · a new magazine for foodies· Michael Caine is an avid foodie who owns a string of restaurants.
someone who only eats certain types of food to refuse to eat particular types of food and only eat food that you especially like: · Stan's such a picky eater; it's impossible to know what to cook for him.
when something can be eaten food, plants, and animals that are edible are suitable for people to eat and will not cause illness or death: · Are these mushrooms edible?· There are many edible fruits growing wild in the coastal forest.
when something cannot be eaten food, plants, and animals that are inedible cannot be eaten, especially because they have a bad taste: · Onondaga Lake is now so polluted that the fish are inedible.· Mark hadn't realized that the leaves of the rhubarb plant were inedible.
not suitable for people to eat -- used especially in official contexts: · Most of this meat is so old it is unfit for human consumption.· Warning: Animal Feed only -- Unfit for human consumption.
to admit that what you said or believed was wrong to say that a criticism you previously made was wrong: take back something: · I take back everything I said.take something back: · "You will take that remark back and apologize immediately!" he roared.take it back: · She had no right to talk to you like that. You should go in there and make her take it all back.
British if one side in an argument climbs down, they agree to accept the other side's demands, especially after admitting that they were wrong: · Neither side in the dispute has been willing to climb down.· European Court decisions have forced several employers to climb down and change their policy on women's pay.
informal to be forced to admit that you were wrong because what you said would happen did not in fact happen: · I never thought Clare would be any good at this job, but I've had to eat my words.make somebody eat their words: · When Tottenham went to the top of the league early in the season, people said it wouldn't last. They have had to eat their words.
informal also eat crow American informal to be forced to admit that you were wrong and say that you are sorry: · Taylor's victory in the semi-final has forced many of her critics to eat humble pie.· Martinez had to eat crow when he bragged that the Red Sox would win the division and they came in last.
food what people eat in order to grow and stay alive: · They didn't even have enough money to buy food.· The church program provides food and clothing for the needy.· Juntao refused food as a protest against prison conditions.
especially spoken food, especially a small meal that you eat quickly: · You should have something to eat before you go out.· I'm not hungry -- I had something to eat earlier.· Do you want me to fix you something to eat?
informal also nosh British spoken food: · Where's the grub? I'm starving.· There was plenty of nosh at the party.
the type of food that someone usually eats: · The doctor told him to reduce the amount of fat in his diet.a good/healthy/poor etc diet: · 150,000 Californians die each year from diseases related to a poor diet.balanced diet (=a good mixture of healthy foods): · The secret to a longer life is a balanced diet and regular exercise.low-fat/high-fibre etc diet: · a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetablesstaple diet (=a main diet consisting of one or two basic foods): · People in the coastal region live on a staple diet of rice and fish.diet of: · For 27 years in the jungles of Guam, Yokoi survived on a diet of shrimp, coconuts, snails, frogs and rats.
small amounts of food and drink that are served at a public meeting, a performance, or on a long journey: · Mrs Thompson has kindly offered to provide the refreshments for the school sports day.light refreshments (=a small quantity of food): · Light refreshments will be served during the interval.
the different things that your body needs to grow and be healthy, that you get from food: · A growing child needs proper nourishment.· Calves rely on their mother's milk to provide nourishment.· The foetus gets nourishment via the mother's blood supply.
wanting to eat · We were really hungry after our long walk.· Are you hungry? Do you want a sandwich?· Hungry shoppers waited in line at the food counters.
spoken to want to eat something: · It's 12 o'clock - do you feel like something to eat?· Do you guys want something to eat?
also starved American spoken very hungry: · Can we talk about this after dinner, please? I'm famished.· I missed lunch and I'm starved.· Normally she did not eat a lot in the morning, but today she was ravenous.absolutely starving/ravenous/famished: · I've been driving for eight hours non-stop and I am absolutely starving.
British informal a little hungry: · I'm feeling a bit peckish. What's in the fridge?· The kids were getting peckish so Sammy found a cafe nearby.
informal to begin to feel a little hungry, and want something to eat, especially something small rather than a large meal: · If you get the munchies later on there are some cookies in the kitchen.
not having enough food someone who is starving has not had enough food for a long time and will die soon if they do not eat: · The people are starving and they need all the food and medical supplies we can give them.· They have barely enough money to keep them from starving.· a country full of starving peoplethe starving (=people who are starving): · The homeless and the starving, refugees of the war, were flocking to the cities.
to have so little food to eat that you become ill or die: · The prisoners were taken out into the desert and left to starve.· In 1884, the crew of Young's ship nearly starved when they were blown off course.starve to death (=starve and die): · Unless these people get food in the next two weeks they will starve to death.
if people are hungry , they need food but do not have enough food to eat over a long period of time: · My children are hungry, I need a job.· Hungry people crowded around the relief wagon for food. go hungry (=not get food to eat): · If the crops fail again this year thousands of people will go hungry.
to not be given enough food, so that you are becoming ill: · The refugees in the camps are not getting enough to eat, and the living conditions are terrible.· A baby who is not gaining weight is probably not getting enough to eat.
thin and looking ill because you do not have enough to eat: · Poor dog! He looks half-starved.· The soldiers were dirty and half-starved.
written people or animals who are underfed are not being given enough food to eat: · The servants were overworked and underfed.· fields full of underfed cattle
formal unhealthy and thin because you have not had the right kinds of food over a long period of time: · During the 1930s a large proportion of Britain's urban population was malnourished.
a meal the food that you eat in the morning, in the middle of the day, or in the evening, either at home or in a restaurant: · The hotel was nice, and the meals were really good.· Miriam was silent all through the meal.· You shouldn't exercise after a big meal.have a meal: · We had an excellent meal in a Chinese restaurant.cook somebody a meal: · Jeff cooked us a delicious meal last night.go out for a meal (=go to a restaurant): · Would you like to go out for a meal sometime, Emma?take somebody out for a meal (=take someone to a restaurant and pay for their meal): · It was Lisa's birthday so we took her out for a meal.main meal (=the biggest meal of the day): · We usually have our main meal in the middle of the day.
a meal, especially a small or quick meal: · Can I get you something to eat?have something to eat: · We'll have something to eat, and then go out.
British /feeding American a meal, consisting only of milk, that a baby has: · A young baby needs small feeds at frequent intervals.· Lois has gotten tired of the late night feedings.have a feed British: · Her baby has its lunchtime feed, then goes to sleep.
to reduce something gradually to gradually reduce the amount or value of something, especially money, wages, or profits over a period of time: · Over the years, the value of our savings and investments has been eroded by inflation.gradually/steadily erode: · High interest rates can gradually erode profit margins.
if costs, rising prices, etc eat into the amount of money you have, they reduce its value: · Rising rents and travel expenses simply eat into any pay rise that nurses might get.· Theft from offices and factories eats into company profits.
to reduce the amount of something to a level that is too low: · Over the last few years, rainforests have been steadily depleted.· He knew that the area's rich plant life had been severely depleted by the huge herds of cows grazing the land.· CFC is just one chemical that depletes the ozone layer.
to gradually reduce the strength of something by repeated small amounts: · High interest rates can chip away at your profits.· The group continues to campaign for the rights of disabled people, chipping away at old prejudices.
to reduce something by small amounts over a period of time, so that the final effect is very serious: whittle away at: · Congress is whittling away at our civil liberties.whittle away something: · Inflation has been whittling away the value of state pensions for the last fifteen years.whittle something away: · Lawmakers have gradually whittled the program's funding away over the last few years.
to use an amount of something to use an amount of something such as fuel, water, or food: · Who's used all the hot water?· We use about six pints of milk a week.· Planning is essential to make sure that resources are used effectively.· The average Westerner uses over 260 lbs of paper every year.
to use all of something, so that there is none left: use up something: · We should use up everything in the fridge before we go on vacation.· The country's oil reserves will soon be used up.use something up: · That is to say, once we have used our fossil fuels up, there won't be any more.
formal to use fuel, energy, water, and other natural products - use this especially to talk about the amount of fuel, energy etc used by people in general: · The US imports 45% of the oil that it consumes.· Industrialized countries consume natural resources in huge quantities.
to use a large amount of something in a short period: · Sometimes I go through a whole pack of cigarettes in a single afternoon.· We went through our food supplies at an alarming rate.
to use a lot of something, especially energy or fuel: · In the typical Western diet, all the energy in protein is burned up daily.burn up calories (=to use energy, for example by exercising): · Women tend to burn up calories less efficiently than men.
if something eats up money, gas, electricity etc, it uses it very quickly and in large amounts: · My rent eats up most of my money.· Non-energy saving light bulbs just eat up electricity.· The V8 is a very powerful engine, but it really eats up gas.
to use space or time, especially a lot of it: · Filing cabinets are very useful but they take up a lot of space.· I'll go now - I don't want to take up too much of your time.
formal: expend energy/time/effort etc to use energy, time etc when you are doing something, usually too much of it: · The final result hardly justifies the amount of time and energy that has been expended.expend something on/upon something: · We expend a lot of effort every day upon quite pointless activities.
WORD SETSabalone, nounacetic acid, nounadditive, nounaftertaste, nounà la carte, adjectiveal dente, adjectivealfresco, adjectiveambrosia, nounangelica, nounaniseed, nounantipasto, nounappetizer, nounarrowroot, nounbad, adjectivebaker, nounbaking powder, nounbaking soda, nounbanana split, nounbanger, nounbanquet, nounbanqueting hall, nounbarbie, nounbarley, nounbasil, nounbass, nounbatch, nounbay leaf, nounBBQ, nounbean, nounbean curd, nounbeansprout, nounbeef, nounbeefburger, nounbeefsteak, nounbeet, nounbell pepper, nounberry, nounbetel, nounbetel nut, nounbicarbonate of soda, nounbilberry, nounbill of fare, nounbinge, nounbinge, verbbistro, nounblackberry, nounblack-eyed bean, nounblack pepper, nounblack pudding, nounblend, verbblend, nounblueberry, nounboard, nounbolt, verbbone, verbbon vivant, nounbony, adjectivebox lunch, nounbramble, nounbran, nounbrandy butter, nounbrasserie, nounbrawn, nounbreakfast, nounbrisket, nounbroiler, nounbroiler chicken, nounbroth, nounbrown rice, nounbrunch, nounbubble gum, nounbuckwheat, nounbuffet, nounbun, nounbus, verbbusboy, nounbutcher, nounbutcher, verbbutchery, nounbuttercream, nounbutty, nouncafé, nouncafeteria, nouncaff, nouncaffeine, nouncake, nouncan, verbcandy, nouncanned, adjectivecapon, nouncapsicum, nouncaraway, nouncarbohydrate, nouncare package, nouncarvery, nouncassava, nouncater, verbcaterer, nouncatering, nouncatsup, nouncatwalk, nouncayenne pepper, nouncereal, nouncheese, nounchef, nouncherry tomato, nounchickpea, nounchilli, nounChinese, nounchip shop, nounchives, nounchocolate, nounchocolatey, adjectiveChristmas dinner, nounchuck steak, nouncitric acid, nouncitron, nounclotted cream, nounclub sandwich, nouncob, nouncobbler, nouncocoa, nouncocoa bean, nouncoconut milk, nouncoffee house, nouncoffee shop, nouncold cuts, nouncold storage, nouncold store, nouncommissary, nounconcentrate, nouncondensed milk, nouncondiment, nouncone, nounconfection, nounconfectioner, nounconfectioner's sugar, nounconfectionery, nounconserve, nouncontent, nouncontinental breakfast, nounconvenience food, nouncook-chill, adjectivecooker, nouncookie, nouncooking, nouncooking oil, nouncorn bread, nouncorn chip, nouncorncob, nouncorned beef, nouncornet, nouncornflakes, nouncornflour, nouncornmeal, nouncorn on the cob, nouncorn pone, nouncornstarch, nouncorn syrup, nouncottage cheese, nouncotton candy, nouncourgette, nouncourse, nouncover charge, nouncrab, nouncrab apple, nouncracker, nouncrackling, nouncranberry, nouncrayfish, nouncream, nouncream cheese, nouncream cracker, nouncreamer, nouncreamy, adjectivecress, nouncrisp, nouncrisp, adjectivecrispbread, nouncrispy, adjectivecroissant, nouncroquette, nouncrouton, nouncrumb, nouncrumpet, nouncrunchy, adjectivecrust, nouncrusty, adjectivecrystallized, adjectivecucumber, nouncud, nouncuisine, nouncupcake, nouncurd, nouncurdle, verbcurrant, nouncustard, nouncut, nouncutlet, noundainty, nounDanish pastry, noundate, noundefrost, verbdelicacy, noundemerara sugar, noundesiccated, adjectivedevilled, adjectivedevour, verbdiabetic, adjectivedigest, verbdigestible, adjectivedill, noundill pickle, noundine, verbdiner, noundining car, noundinner, noundinner dance, noundinner party, noundinner theater, noundinnertime, noundissolve, verbdoggy bag, noundoily, noundollop, noundough, noundown, verbdrain, verbdredge, verbdried, adjectivedried fruit, noundripping, noundrumstick, noundry goods, noundunk, verbEaster egg, nouneat, verbeatery, nouneating apple, nouneats, nounEccles cake, nounéclair, nounEdam, nounedible, adjectiveeel, nounegg, nouneggplant, nounegg roll, nounelevenses, nounendive, nounEnglish breakfast, nounEnglish muffin, nounentrée, nounepicure, nounescalope, nounevaporated milk, nounfast food, nounfeed, verbfeed, nounfeta cheese, nounfig, nounfilbert, nounfillet, verbfilling, adjectivefilling, nounfilo, nounflounder, nounfloury, adjectiveflyblown, adjectivefoil, nounfoodstuff, nounforage, nounfork, verbfortify, verbfreeze-dried, adjectiveFrench bean, nounFrench bread, nounFrench dressing, nounFrench fry, nounFrench loaf, nounFrench stick, nounfries, nounfromage frais, nounfrozen, adjectivefruit, nounfudge, nounfull-fat, adjectivegaram masala, noungarlic, noungarnish, noungarnish, verbgastronomic, adjectivegastronomy, noungel, verbginger, nounglass, nounglassware, noungolden raisin, noungoody, noungourmand, noungrain, nounGranary, adjectivegranulated, adjectivegreasy, adjectivegreasy spoon, noungreen, adjectivegrill, noungristle, noungrocer, nounground, adjectiveground beef, noungrub, noungruel, nounguava, noungum, noungumball, noungumbo, noungumdrop, nounhalal, adjectivehalibut, nounham, nounhamburger, nounhaunch, nounhead table, nounhealth food, nounheart, nounhearty, adjectiveheat, nounherb, nounhigh tea, nounhome economics, nounhot dish, nounhygiene, nounhygienic, adjectiveiceman, nounindigestible, adjectiveindigestion, nouninedible, adjectiveinfected, adjectiveingest, verbinn, nouninsipid, adjectiveintake, nounirradiate, verbjellied, adjectivejoint, nounjuice, nounjuicy, adjectivejunk, nounjunk food, nounknuckle, nounkosher, adjectivelaxative, nounlean, adjectiveleavings, nounleg, nounlight, adjectiveliquorice, nounlive, adjectiveloaf, nounlocker, nounloin, nounlotus, nounlukewarm, adjectivelump, nounlunch, nounlunch, verblunchbox, nounlunch break, nounluncheon, nounlunch hour, nounlunchroom, nounlunchtime, nounluscious, adjectivemace, nounMadeira cake, nounmain course, nounmaitre d', nounmaize, nounmandarin, nounmandarin orange, nounmangetout, nounmango, nounmaple syrup, nounmargarine, nounmarge, nounmarmalade, nounmarrow, nounmarshmallow, nounMason jar, nounmasticate, verbmature, adjectivemature, verbmeal, nounmealie, nounmealtime, nounmealy, adjectivemeat, nounmeat-packing, nounmeaty, adjectivemellow, adjectivementhol, nounmentholated, adjectivemenu, nounmess, nounmess, verbmess hall, nounmilk chocolate, nounmillet, nounmince, nounmint, nounmocha, nounmolasses, nounmoreish, adjectivemorsel, nounmouldy, adjectivemouth, nounmouthful, nounMSG, nounmunch, verbmung bean, nounmush, nounmushroom, nounmustard, nounnibble, verbnibble, nounnosh, nounnourish, verbnourishment, nounnugget, nounnut, nounnutcracker, nounnutshell, nounnutty, adjectiveoatmeal, nounoats, nounoffal, nounokra, nounon, prepositiononion, nounorder, nounoregano, nounorganic, adjectiveoverindulge, verboxtail, nounpackaging, nounpacker, nounpap, nounparcel, nounpaste, nounpastille, nounpastry, nounpatisserie, nounpearl barley, nounpectin, nounpeel, verbpeel, nounpepper, nounpepper, verbpeppercorn, nounpeppermint, nounperishable, adjectivepetit four, nounpiccalilli, nounpicnic, nounpicnic, verbpie, nounpilaff, nounpilau, nounpimento, nounpinto bean, nounpit, nounpizza parlor, nounpizzeria, nounplain chocolate, nounplain flour, nounploughman's lunch, nounpoor boy, nounpork, nounpork pie, nounpork rinds, nounporridge, nounporterhouse steak, nounportion, nounpostprandial, adjectivepotato, nounpotato crisp, nounpotted, adjectivepoultry, nounpraline, nounprawn, nounprepacked, adjectivepreservative, nounpreserve, verbpreserve, nounpretzel, nounprovision, verbprune, nounpuff pastry, nounpumpernickel, nounpumpkin, nounpuree, verbquince, nounQuorn, nounrabbit, nounrancid, adjectiverare, adjectiveravenous, adjectiveraw, adjectivered meat, nounreheat, verbrennet, nounrepast, nounreplete, adjectiverestaurant, nounrestaurant car, nounrestaurateur, nounrib, nounrice, nounrigatoni, nounrind, nounripe, adjectiveroadhouse, nounrock, nounroe, nounroll, nounroot vegetable, nounrose hip, nounrusk, nounrutabaga, nounsaccharin, nounsalad cream, nounsalad dressing, nounsalami, nounsalmon, nounsalsa, nounsalt, verbsalt, adjectivesalty, adjectivesandwich, nounsardine, nounsassafras, nounsatisfying, adjectivesatsuma, nounsauerkraut, nounsausage, nounscallion, nounscampi, nounscone, nounscoop, nounScotch broth, nounscratchings, nounseafood, nounseasoned, adjectiveseed, verbsemolina, nounservery, nounservice charge, nounserving, nounset, adjectiveshallot, nounshellfish, nounsherbet, nounshish kebab, nounshortbread, nounshortcake, nounshortcrust pastry, nounshoulder, nounshrimp cocktail, nounside order, nounsillabub, nounsimnel cake, nounsingle cream, nounsirloin, nounsitting, nounskimmed milk, nounskin, nounskin, verbslaw, nounslice, nounsliced bread, nounsloe, nounsloppy joe, nounsmorgasbord, nounsnack bar, nounsnow pea, nounsoda fountain, nounsodium chloride, nounsoft fruit, nounsorghum, nounsoul food, nounsour, adjectivesour, verbsourdough, nounsoya, nounsoya bean, nounspearmint, nounspinach, nounsponge, nounsponge cake, nounsponge pudding, nounspoon, verbspoonful, nounspotted dick, nounspread, nounspring onion, nounspring roll, nounsprout, nounspud, nounsquash, nounsquid, nounstaple, nounstarfruit, nounstarter, nounsteak, nounsteakhouse, nounsteak tartare, nounstew, nounstick, nounStilton, nounstir-fry, verbstodge, nounstone-ground, adjectivestrawberry, nounstring bean, nounstringy, adjectivestrudel, nounsub, nounsucrose, nounsuet, nounsugar, nounsugar, verbsugar-coated, adjectivesugar cube, nounsugar lump, nounsugary, adjectivesultana, nounsun-dried, adjectivesup, verbsupper, nounsustenance, nounswallow, verbswallow, nounswede, nounsweetcorn, nounsweetened condensed milk, nounsweetener, nounsweetmeat, nounsweet pepper, nounsweet potato, nounsyrup, nounsyrupy, adjectivetable d'hôte, nountaco, nountaffy, nountainted, adjectivetakeaway, nountakeout, nountangerine, nountapas, nountapioca, nountaramasalata, nountariff, nountart, nountartare sauce, nountaste, verbtasteless, adjectivetaster, nountasting, nountater, nountattie, nounT-bone steak, nountea, nounteacake, nountender, adjectivetin, nountinned, adjectivetitbit, nountoffee apple, nountofu, nountomato, nountongue, nountop, nountopping, nountop round, nountopside, nountop table, nountortilla, nountough, adjectivetransport cafe, nountreacle, nountrifle, nountripe, nountrotter, nountruck stop, nountruffle, nountub, nountuna, nounturkey, nounTurkish delight, nounturnip, nounturnover, nountutti frutti, nounTV dinner, nounTVP, noununadulterated, adjectiveunleavened, adjectiveunpalatable, adjectivevacuum-packed, adjectivevanilla, nounveal, nounvegan, nounvegetable, nounvegetarian, nounvegetarianism, nounveggie, nounvenison, nounvictual, verbvictuals, nounvoracious, adjectivevoucher, nounwaiter, nounwaitress, nounwalnut, noun-ware, suffixwarmed-over, adjectivewedge, nounwell, nounwell-done, adjectivewell-fed, adjectivewet fish, nounwheat, nounwhite, nounwhite flour, nounwhite pepper, nounwhite sauce, nounwholefood, nounwholemeal, adjectivewhole wheat, adjectivewiener, nounwild rice, nounwishbone, nounwrap, nounyeast extract, nounyoghurt, nounyogurt, nounyolk, nounyule log, nounyummy, adjectivezucchini, nounzwieback, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYnouns Erica was worried that the children weren’t getting enough to eat. They have to learn which wild foods are good to eat. the importance of healthy eating There’s loads to see in Paris. There’s plenty to do and see in New York. The computer is now set up and ready to use. The water is treated to make it safe to drink. Have you eaten supper?COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· What time do you usually eat lunch?
adverbs (=have enough food, or have good food)· The people work hard, but they eat well.
(=eat food that will keep you healthy)· If you eat healthily and exercise regularly, you’ll look and feel a lot better.
British English, eat right American English (=eat food that will keep you healthy)· He hadn’t been eating properly and was drinking far too much.
(=eat a lot quickly, because you are very hungry)· The children ate hungrily, devouring everything on their plate.
(=eat very little)· Carter joined us for lunch, but ate sparingly, as he always did.
phrases (=eat something/nothing)· We’ll leave after we’ve had something to eat.
· Have you had enough to eat?
(=not have enough food)· The refugees had very little to eat and no clean water.
· I got dressed and went downstairs to find something to eat.
(=prepare or buy some food)· I’m sure you can get something to eat on the train.
(=the kinds of things they eat or drink regularly)· The doctor asked me about my eating habits and how much I smoked.
(=a mental illness which causes you to eat too much or too little)· She described her battle with the eating disorder bulimia.
(=a small meal)· We should have time for a bite to eat before we set out.
(=eat a lot)· She eats like a horse but never puts on any weight!
(=eat very little)· Ever since she was a child, Jan had always eaten like a bird.
spoken (=used to say that you are completely full)· Thanks, that was lovely, but I couldn’t eat another thing.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=one which is sweet enough to eat)· Use dessert apples for this recipe.
· Some people say that you should eat an apple every day.
· Paul got up, washed and had breakfast.
· People in Mediterranean areas generally have a very good diet.
· Why don't you come and have dinner with us?
(=in which someone stops eating a normal amount of food)· Eating disorders can be very difficult to treat.
Erica was worried that the children weren’t getting enough to eat.· You should eat more fish.
· He sat in the corner and ate his food.
They have to learn which wild foods are good to eat. (=the kinds of things you eat or drink regularly)· You need to change your eating habits.
the importance of healthy eating There’s loads to see in Paris.· What time do you usually eat lunch?
· When they had eaten their meal, they went out for a walk.
· I don't eat meat - I'm vegetarian.· People are eating less meat these days.
There’s plenty to do and see in New York. The computer is now set up and ready to use. (also dine at/in a restaurant formal)· Have you eaten in this restaurant before?
The water is treated to make it safe to drink.· We chatted as we ate our spinach soup.
Have you eaten supper?· It looked misshapen in this light, almost as if something was eating away at it.· Especially if you come upon one at night, all lit up, eating away under banks of lights miles from anywhere.· We carefully watched the flame of the hour candle eating away the wax from ring to ring.· Competition among team members eats away the very underpinnings of successful teamwork.· The acid began to eat away at the edge of her tunic, the bottom strands of her curly hair.· Then the insidious eating away of energy and self-esteem begins in earnest.· She has Alzheimers Disease, which is eating away at her mind.· In the intervening years, as property taxes ate away at their nest egg, their proposals for other developments fell flat.
· People who eat properly feel good about themselves.· She said she encouraged him to eat properly and start exercising.· Without an audience, but with a very hungry tummy, it wasn't long before Suzy began to eat properly.· The four found Mary and Reggie in the kitchen, eating properly off plates.· When I was on my own I would feel sad and would not eat properly.· Eat properly Eating well before and during pregnancy is very important.· I guess I was fairly content - bored sometimes, but happy to be alive and eating properly.· Students increasingly complained that they could not afford to eat properly.
· This sets a bad example to teenagers, many of whom are overweight and eat too much junk food.· Persons who eat too much are called gluttons.· So trying to break the habit actually increases the compulsion to smoke or to eat too much!· The worries about the food, and I ate too much, and adjusting to the differences in food.· If you are one of the majority of business executives, you probably eat too much and occasionally drink too much.· The greatest danger, therefore, was in eating too much.· The rich eat too much meat and suffer from chronic constipation, diseases of the bowel, gout, and bladder stones.
NOUN· It is rarely remarked that what she sought to gain from eating the apples was Knowledge.· Then her eating of the red apple was premature; she had overreached herself.· We sat down to eat our apples.· In fact you can eat it like an apple, though the citron is most always candied.· This reminds us of Adam and Eve in the bible and the disobedience of man when they ate the forbidden apple.· I eat all the apple strudel.· Commonsense told them that anyone could eat dozens of apples a day without suffering any permanent ill effect.· I sat on the earth banking that looks out over the Muddy Creek and ate an apple.
· The birds that ate the new weights showed no ill effects.· Some people breed these birds to eat.· By masquerading as poisonous insects, they avoid attacks from birds that might otherwise eat them.· The bird will go to eat the seed - when it does, jump on it.· The birds came to eat the wheat.· Bacterial rotting often does not look much like mould. % % % q. Local birds tend to eat little black insects.· If they was any, birds ate em.
· Would he care to stay on for a bite to eat?· Saguaros in bloom, the glare of a horned owl and javelinas rooting for a bite to eat.· I cheekily went across to a detached cottage and asked if it was possible to get a bite to eat.· They are about seven miles west of Larimore, and are headed into town for a bite to eat.· The others went off to have a bite to eat before beginning their checks on the Sardinian shepherds they had picked out.· Park-goers often wander into the restaurant for a bite to eat.· As you are put immediately at ease, you settle down with a steaming cup of coffee and a bite to eat.· Maybe Gray should invite his new coach out for a bite to eat.
· I am too wasted to eat my bread.· I finally got tired of it and vowed never to eat herbed bread again.· Their reasoning is that, if people wanted pure carbohydrates, they would eat bread or pasta.· She stopped cooking, and for days the boy and his sisters ate stale bread and tamarind jam by the spoonful.· But I do not eat more bread and meat or, let us hope, drink more wine or spirits.· The nutritive arguments still stand and I would not make a habit of eating lots of white bread.
· Ten minutes later Doctor Jekyll had returned to his own shape and was sitting down, pretending to eat breakfast.· You will be eating grape-nuts at breakfast next.· He ate his breakfast at the Grill every morning of his life, desperate to get away from that barracuda.· Neither she nor Nan ate a cooked breakfast.· I would rather have boxed than ate breakfast.· She ate me for breakfast and simply disappeared.· Edusha ate her breakfast still wearing her bathrobe and her slippers.
· You can have your cake and eat it; the only trouble is, you get fat.· It is called having your cake and eating it, too.· Noreen, frankly, wanted her cake and to eat it as well.· In Yakima, Washington, people paid a dollar for all the cakes they could eat in a flapjack-eating contest.· You can't have your cake and eat it.· This is as close as I can come to having my pedagogical cake and eating it too.· Women wanted their cake and to eat it too - they were getting more like men every day!· I had my cake and ate it also.
· We're not talking about children eating deadly nightshade.· The children ate organic foods from health food stores and from the garden at their home.· She decided to make a fruit salad, and sat peeling and chopping as the children ate their tea.· Pica Pica is when a child regularly and excessively eats inappropriate objects, such as dirt, coal, stones, fluffy materials.· Studies reveal that school attendance and classroom performance improve when children eat breakfast.· If red candies have a reinforcing flavor and green candies do not, the child takes and eats red candies.· The overlap also allows the children to eat lunch in school and play together.
· You pin up a wall chart listing how many calories you eat each day.· Men like to eat every day.· Jones, 20, suffered sickness and diarrhoea and didn't eat for five days.· Potatoes, on the other hand, we ate every other day.· If possible eat on the same day that you buy them.· Senior citizens eat lunch there every day.· Did these people eat like this every day?
· This was not the case in our patients, however, as they were eating a standard western diet.· We end up overcompensating for our desires, eating more of the diet food than we should, looking for satisfaction.· Many ailments which are blamed on old age could be avoided if everyone ate a healthy diet.· People who lose weight and keep it off eat a low-fat diet with an occasional splurge.· They should also be encouraged to take plenty of exercise and eat a good healthy diet.· The women featured in the article are reducing their risk of chronic disease by exercising and by eating a balanced diet.· Ulene tries to practice what he preaches, jogging and eating a low-fat diet.
· Keith smoked Dempster's cigars, ate his dinners.· To the accompaniment of foghorns and buoy bells, beside a crackling fire, l slowly eat my dinner.· Of the 3, 351 teens surveyed, 53 percent said they eat dinner with the family regularly.· She ate dinner alone before a fire made of driftwood that sent salty blue flames leaping up the chimney.· Why be skeptical when I could be eating a free dinner at a fancy restaurant?· About a week later, the family sat at the small table eating dinner.· She went to the table and ate some of her dinner, looking at him.
· The harvesters stopped work, sat down and started to eat and drink.· Chavez, at 33 and perhaps fighting for the last time, eats junk food, drinks beer and loves to party.· I go somewhere else and eat junk food and drink junk wine.· At the same time, I eat and drink.· Be it an alacarte dinner or a quick snack, Mulliners is the place to eat, drink and be merry.· Mr Reynolds admitted that he had been afraid to eat or drink because of the possible effects on his bowel and bladder.· Even if we eat and drink well, we become sluggish inside without exercise to stimulate the metabolism.· Don't eat or drink too many and don't snack on them during the day.
· How big do they grow, and will they then eat larger fish?· I recently ate raw fish with a sushi virgin.· Instead, eat more fish, particularly oily fish such as mackerel. 9.· They eat fish from streams polluted with chlorinated hydrocarbons.· Why should they eat salt fish, when William and Joe commanded the seas?· Then the Kuchas sat down and ate the fish in his honor.· Although fairly peaceful, it will eat small fish like your Neons and Glowlights.· It prefers live fishes, but it can be induced to eat cut fish and shrimp.
· How can I feed her nourishing food when she will eat nothing?· Taco Bell: The burritos and fajitas are among the easiest foods to eat on the fly.· She is concerned about the size of the portions of food I eat.· Her secret, she said, is all the preservatives in the junk foods she eats.· Even children suffer because of the inadequacy of the food they eat.· It is, after all, merely another food amidst the dozens of foods we eat.· He gave her food to eat, and watched her, while he quietly smoked a cigarette.· The food they eat is not bought with money.
· You will eat the fruit of your labour; blessings and prosperity will be yours.· One is not to eat fruits that have been plucked; one is to wait for the fruits to fall.· You sometimes try to eat more fruit but the secret store of chocolate goes down just as fast.· The small, round, dark blue skin invites instant eating, and the fruit is amazingly versatile on the table.· Listen, if you don't want the Baywatch contract, just keep drinking loads of water and eat fruit.· They were also the group who were least likely to eat fresh fruit.
· Eric Clapton eat your heart out.· Pablo Picasso, eat your heart out.· Philip Schofield, eat your heart out.· The square tango had to be seen to be believed - eat your hearts out, disco dancers!· Kate is obviously eating her heart out for a colour changer and an intarsia carriage.· Keith Floyd eat your heart out!!
· They ate lunch in a shady restaurant and then Leary went back to his flower-hung villa.· After we eat a hearty lunch I begin my afternoon the normal way with my virgin pina colada.· Members of the club joined in a wide range of activities and ate a healthy lunch at the Southlands Centre, Middlesbrough.· What time does he eat lunch?· I ate no lunch but drank solidly.· Kayla had been a shy girl, who prayed before eating school lunch.· We went to eat lunch in a restaurant frequented by poorly paid clerks and secretaries and, no doubt, messengers.· Riker and I and Reacher and the gunner sat around the Huey and ate lunch.
· Not that they were eating gourmet meals.· I had not been sleeping at night, and at meals I could not eat.· We spend much of our time buying food, planning meals and eating them.· Presumably the sight of a red and blue meal puts you off eating it.· Trade having been done, they settled to take the meal, to eat, to indicate their good intentions.
· It is said that in the under 16 age group one in six no longer eats meat.· Of all these horsemen, not a tenth, not even a twentieth eat meat on the march.· The rich eat too much meat and suffer from chronic constipation, diseases of the bowel, gout, and bladder stones.· I feel very confident eating meat here.· In just one mouthful I ate three of their meat dishes and three of their loaves of bread.· They did not eat meat on Fridays or practice artificial contraception.· We can only afford to eat meat twice a week, the rest of the time it's beans and rice.· Nor did any allergic reactions arise in those who ate the meat of animals who had been fed a gene-spliced soybean diet.
· Nine in 10 people eat too much fat - which can be a trigger of heart disease.· Many people are timid about eating pork cooked less than well-done.· It was a curious but inspiring sight: here were people who lived, ate and slept liberation.· Inside, in a room reeking of incense, are people eating.· And very few people eat a healthy, balanced diet.· This amuses us, since people are glad to eat such flowers as cauliflower, broccoli, and artichokes.· Slim people generally eat the same kinds of food that fatter people like to eat.
· Come and take potluck eat humble pie whatever.· It is estimated that three-quarters of the region's population eat pies regularly both at home and outside. 3.· Then he ate meat pie and drank tea and could not recall a meal that tasted better.· The Midlanders have been eating humble pie this season, though they deserve better fare.
· I tried eating a sandwich with my second cup of tea and I just about managed it.· Tony ate five or six sandwiches at a sitting, his hulking form dominating the counter.· After a while, to Robbie's relief, Fen threw off his knapsack, suggesting they stop and eat their sandwiches.· When she broke off the smoke, the Pilgrims had no fire, they sat around eating sandwiches and devilled eggs.· My temper was further inflamed to find them happily eating the sandwiches.· At noon they ate the sandwiches and then continued north through mostly open water.· Later I called to him, and we ate our sandwiches together.· Increasingly, people are eating sandwiches and pizzas on bagels.
VERB· Without an audience, but with a very hungry tummy, it wasn't long before Suzy began to eat properly.· Very slowly the boy cut himself another slice and began to eat it.· She took the box and began to eat.· As he began to eat again he heard Donald move towards the cupboard.· Madeleine picked up her fork and began to eat.· Browning said he had few side effects during the treatment and began eating steaks after the second week of chemotherapy.
· Talk about the kinds of bread each likes - ways they like to eat it.· Men like to eat every day.· But it doesn't look like what I usually eat.· I am so tired of corn-bread, which I never liked, that I eat it with tears in my eyes.· He likes to eat out, or listen to concerts, or attend antiques fairs.· We like to eat, and fat-free foods just give us license to eat even more.· I often feel ill, and I don't like to eat much.· I like eating here now better.
· At Christmas the pressure to sit down and eat with others is immense.· A meal maybe, where me and Halle and all the Sweet Home men sat down and ate something special.· The family sits down to eat.· As usual, after the first appreciative murmurs, we sat and ate our meal in silence.· If he wants to sit outdoors sometimes or eat with us.· He picks up sticks and sits down to eat them.· We staked out a spot on the beach and sat on a blanket eating buttered spaghetti and fried bananas.
· The next day he started eating again.· Then she sat down and started to eat.· Once you start eating in a healthier way, good weight control should become much easier.· Once they start eating on a piece of wood, however, they can get a little more difficult to spot.· She had already started to retreat into eating when she felt upset.· Den he start ta eat kids?· I didn't realize how hungry I was until I started eating, and my plate was soon empty.· I told her to stop reading and start eating.
· But like Taller or Stillman, Ornish recommends that dieters stop eating an entire food group.· He only stopped working when he ate or slept.· Whenever I was excited, or very happy, or very upset, I stopped eating.· He stopped eating to grin at me.· It was supposed to make John stop eating.· He usually stops eating for a couple of days but I talk him out of it.· Batter Up Despite my best efforts, I could not stop eating the skinny fries that came with the combination.
· You do not want to wash, eat, think, plan, cope in any way.· The tourists from Tokyo want to eat a lobster dinner at four in the afternoon.· You feel hungry; you want to eat more; your muscles ache after exercise, so you miss a few sessions.· How did she tell her servants what she wanted to eat?· Did he want me to eat shit or the words stick in my throat and choke me?· For most people, the sugary snacks simply add calories, while making you want to eat more.· Never-ending telly, Mum's long face, and a turkey dinner that nobody wanted to eat, not even Henry.· In Perrault, she wants to eat them herself.
· To watch him eat, it makes me sick!· She stopped watching maudlin movies and eating greasy ribs.· He watched them eat and, listening to their carefree laughter, was content.· They are talking, also eating oranges, and watching as the children eat theirs.· She watched me eat for a while, mumbled something and left.· He hated to watch people eat.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► what’s eating somebody?► I could eat a horse► I/we won’t eat you► you are what you eat► eat something ↔ up► be eaten up with/by jealousy/anger/curiosity etc► eat somebody alive/eat somebody for breakfastPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► the proof of the pudding (is in the eating)
1food [intransitive, transitive] to put food in your mouth and chew and swallow it: - Martinez had to eat crow when he bragged that the Red Sox would win the division and they came in last.
- Taylor's victory in the semi-final has forced many of her critics to eat humble pie.
- Come and take potluck eat humble pie whatever.
- The Midlanders have been eating humble pie this season, though they deserve better fare.
- If the Democrats win, I'll eat my hat!
- He's brilliant in job interviews -- he always manages to get the panel eating out of his hand.
- I introduced Mr Wilkinson to my mother, and within minutes she had him eating out of her hand.
- In a second or two a man might have these boys eating out of his hand.
- Our sixteen-year-old is eating us out of house and home.
- I never thought Clare would be any good at this job, but I've had to eat my words.
- They think we can't compete with them - I'll make them eat their words.
- When Tottenham went to the top of the league early in the season, people said it wouldn't last. They have had to eat their words.
- Anthony Troon, eat your words!
- But Sun will have to eat its words and may have to declare a product like its News windowing system dead.
- I reply, eating my words as I speak them.
- It is now time, however, that I eat my words.
- Lugh was going to fool Medoc very neatly, and they would all eat their words.
- So let the Review Board eat its words, when I win the annual all-industry award for originality.
- Some day they will eat their words.
- We check out a sound card that will make them eat their words - the Laserwave Plus.
- I just bought a new convertible. Eat your heart out, Jay.
- Eric Clapton eat your heart out.
- Kate is obviously eating her heart out for a colour changer and an intarsia carriage.
- Keith Floyd eat your heart out!!
- Pablo Picasso, eat your heart out.
- Philip Schofield, eat your heart out.
- The square tango had to be seen to be believed - eat your hearts out, disco dancers!
- Actually, he found it in the back of his throat, where it lodged after he took a bite.
- Examples: Apple shows an apple, with a bite taken out of it.
- I cheekily went across to a detached cottage and asked if it was possible to get a bite to eat.
- I took a bite out of the sandwich.
- Saguaros in bloom, the glare of a horned owl and javelinas rooting for a bite to eat.
- Seligson withdrew his candidacy and wrote a biting letter to Harleston.
- Very often it is this rod that gets a bite.
- Would he care to stay on for a bite to eat?
- First, is it an ethical investment policy to encourage people to try to have their cake and eat it?
- It appears the Ministry men can have their cake and eat it ... but only if we let them.
- It seems as though the council wants to have its cake and eat it.
- That way he could have his cake and eat it too.
- The benefits of standardization are coupled with the capacity to respond to change-a way to have your cake and eat it too.
- They don't imagine they can have their cake and eat it too.
- You can't have your cake and eat it.
- You can have your cake and eat it; the only trouble is, you get fat.
- The media lead young people to believe that we live in a dog-eat-dog world.
- Here the nomads water their flocks and the horses drink their fill when the tourists have dismounted.
- I stopped at some blackberry bushes and ate my fill.
- Menelaus gave them a courteous greeting and bade them eat their fill.
- There was still time for Frankie, if he was very quiet and very careful, to eat his fill.
- Why were those high-fibre eaters keeping slim even when they were eating their fill?
- All through the meal he picked at his food, while Peter ate heartily with a quip about being a condemned man.
- Aunt Tossie, now in the full regalia of her widow's weeds, was eating heartily but in a subdued way.
- He always ate heartily on these occasions.
- Stephen took several and ate heartily.
- We ate heartily every night, we could afford croissants at breakfast, and we stopped scrounging for cigarettes.
- Come and take potluck eat humble pie whatever.
- The Midlanders have been eating humble pie this season, though they deserve better fare.
- But he was walking to a truck stop across the street, probably getting something to eat during his break.
- It had something to do with being a man.
- It had something to do with skills, and something to do with expectation and hope.
- Most calendar programs remind you gently when you have something to do.
- No, you can't dash out for something to eat.
- Of course, the beer might have had something to do with this.
- Then I rolled up my things in a blanket and went out and had something to eat.
- You've done it a thousand times already, but you do it again, just for something to do.
Felix chatted cheerfully as he ate. A small girl was eating an ice cream. We had plenty to eat and drink. It’s important to eat healthily when you are pregnant. I exercise and eat right and get plenty of sleep. Would you like something to eat? She can eat like a horse and never put on weight. We stopped at McDonalds to get a bite to eat. Good eating habits are the best way of preventing infection. ready-to-eat foods such as deli meats and cheeses ‘More cake?’ ‘No thanks, I couldn’t eat another thing.’ No chicken for me. I don’t eat meat (=I never eat meat). Does Rob eat fish?2meal [intransitive, transitive] to have a meal: Let’s eat first and then go to a movie. They’re eating breakfast.eat at We could not afford to eat at Walker’s very often.3eat your words to admit that what you said was wrong: I’m going to make you eat your words.4eat your heart out a)used to say, especially humorously, that something is very good: That’s a great drawing. Pablo Picasso eat your heart out! b)British English to be unhappy about something or to want someone or something very much: If you had any sense you’d forget him, but eat your heart out if you want to.5eat somebody alive/eat somebody for breakfast to be very angry with someone or to defeat them completely: You can’t tell him that – he’ll eat you alive!6use [transitive] to use a very large amount of something: This car eats petrol.7eat humble pie (also eat crow American English) to admit that you were wrong and say that you are sorry8I’ll eat my hat used to emphasize that you think something is not true or will not happen: If the Democrats win the election, I’ll eat my hat!9have somebody eating out of your hand to have made someone very willing to believe you or do what you want: He soon had the client eating out of his hand.10eat somebody out of house and home to eat a lot of someone’s supply of food, so that they have to buy more – used humorously11what’s eating somebody? spoken used to ask why someone seems annoyed or upset: What’s eating Sally today?12I could eat a horse spoken used to say you are very hungry13I/we won’t eat you spoken used to tell someone that you are not angry with them and they need not be frightened14you are what you eat used to say that you will be healthy if the food you eat is healthy → eats, → have your cake and eat it at cake1(6)COLLOCATIONSnounseat breakfast/lunch/dinner etc· What time do you usually eat lunch?adverbseat well (=have enough food, or have good food)· The people work hard, but they eat well.eat healthily/sensibly (=eat food that will keep you healthy)· If you eat healthily and exercise regularly, you’ll look and feel a lot better.eat properly British English, eat right American English (=eat food that will keep you healthy)· He hadn’t been eating properly and was drinking far too much.eat hungrily (=eat a lot quickly, because you are very hungry)· The children ate hungrily, devouring everything on their plate.eat sparingly (=eat very little)· Carter joined us for lunch, but ate sparingly, as he always did.phraseshave something/nothing to eat (=eat something/nothing)· We’ll leave after we’ve had something to eat.have enough/plenty etc to eat· Have you had enough to eat?have little to eat (=not have enough food)· The refugees had very little to eat and no clean water.find something to eat· I got dressed and went downstairs to find something to eat.get something to eat (=prepare or buy some food)· I’m sure you can get something to eat on the train.somebody’s eating habits (=the kinds of things they eat or drink regularly)· The doctor asked me about my eating habits and how much I smoked.an eating disorder (=a mental illness which causes you to eat too much or too little)· She described her battle with the eating disorder bulimia.a bite to eat (=a small meal)· We should have time for a bite to eat before we set out.eat like a horse (=eat a lot)· She eats like a horse but never puts on any weight!eat like a bird (=eat very little)· Ever since she was a child, Jan had always eaten like a bird.I couldn’t eat another thing spoken (=used to say that you are completely full)· Thanks, that was lovely, but I couldn’t eat another thing.THESAURUSeat to put food in your mouth and chew and swallow it: · Experts recommend eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.have to eat a particular food: · ‘What do you usually have for breakfast?’ ‘I usually just have coffee and toast.’· We had the set meal.feed on something to eat a particular kind of food – used when talking about animals: · Foxes feed on a wide range of foods including mice, birds, insects, and fruit.consume written to eat or drink something – used especially in scientific or technical contexts: · Babies consume large amounts relative to their body weight.munch (on) something to eat something with big continuous movements of your mouth, especially when you are enjoying your food: · He was munching on an apple.· They were sitting on a bench munching their sandwiches.nibble (on) something to eat something by biting off very small pieces: · If you want a healthy snack, why not just nibble on a carrot?pick at something to eat only a small amount of your food because you are not hungry or do not like the food: · Lisa was so upset that she could only pick at her food.stuff/gorge yourself to eat so much food that you cannot eat anything else: · He’s always stuffing himself with cakes.· We gorged ourselves on my mother’s delicious apple tart.slurp to eat soup, noodles etc with a noisy sucking sound: · In England it’s considered rude to slurp your soup, but in some countries it’s seen as a sign of enjoyment.to eat something quicklygobble something up/down informal to eat something very quickly, especially because you like it very much or you are greedy: · You’ve gobbled up all the ice-cream!· The children gobbled it down in no time.wolf something down informal to eat food quickly, especially because you are very hungry or in a hurry: · The boy wolfed down everything on his plate and asked for more.bolt something down British English to eat food very quickly, especially because you are in a hurry: · He bolted down his breakfast and was out of the door within 5 minutes.· You shouldn’t bolt your food down like that.devour /dɪˈvaʊə $ -ˈvaʊr/ especially written to eat all of something quickly because you are very hungry: · In a very short time, the snake had devoured the whole animal.to eat less food or stop eatingbe on a diet to be eating less or different food than normal in order to become thinner: · No cake thanks – I’m on a diet.fast to not eat for a period of time, often for religious reasons: · Muslim people fast during the month of Ramadan.eat something ↔ away phrasal verb to gradually remove or destroy something SYN erode: The stones are being eaten away by pollution.eat away at something/somebody phrasal verb1to gradually remove or reduce the amount of something: His gambling was eating away at their income.2to make someone feel very worried over a long period of time: The thought of mother alone like that was eating away at her.eat in phrasal verb to eat at home instead of in a restauranteat into something phrasal verb1to gradually reduce the amount of time, money etc that is available: John’s university fees have been eating into our savings.2to gradually damage or destroy something: Acid eats into the metal, damaging its surface.eat out phrasal verb to eat in a restaurant instead of at home: Do you eat out a lot?eat up phrasal verb1to eat all of something: Come on, eat up, there’s a good girl.eat something ↔ up She’s made a cake and wants us to help eat it up.2eat something ↔ up informal to use a lot of something, especially until there is none left: Big cars just eat up money.3be eaten up with/by jealousy/anger/curiosity etc to be very jealous, angry etc, so that you cannot think about anything else