E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Eat.
To eat humble pie. (See HUMBLE PIE.)
1
To eat one out of house and home. To eat so much that one will have to part with house and home in order to pay for it.
2
To eat one’s words. To retract in a humiliating manner; to unsay what you have said; to eat your own lick.
3
To eat the mad cow. A French phrase, implying that a person is reduced to the very last extremity, and is willing to eat even a cow that has died of madness; glad to eat cat’s meat.
“Il mangea de cette chose inexprimable qu’on appelle de la vache enragee.”—Victor Hugo: Les Miserables.
4
To eat the leek. (See LEEK.)
5
To eat well. To have a good appetite. But “It eats well” means that what is eaten is agreeable or flavorous. To “eat badly” is to eat without appetite or too little; not pleasant to the taste.
