Eat humble pie
idiom
To admit a mistake or defeat especially in a humble way.
After losing the election, the senator had to eat humble pie in his concession speech.

Often appears as...
- having to eat humble pie
- forced to eat humble pie
Usage tips
Idiomatic
idiom
To admit a mistake or defeat especially in a humble way.
After losing the election, the senator had to eat humble pie in his concession speech.

Often appears as...
- having to eat humble pie
- forced to eat humble pie
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1

Admission of Error
It signals recognizing one's own mistake or poor judgement, not just experiencing bad outcomes.

I had to eat humble pie after my plan caused the team to fail.
Humility Required
The phrase implies that the speaker feels genuine regret and is being sincere in their contrition.

The CEO ate humble pie during the press conference, apologizing for the oversight.
No Literal Meaning
It is metaphorical and has nothing to do with eating actual pie; 'humble' relates to being humble.

After mocking the amateur player, the pro had to eat humble pie when he was defeated.
Admission of Error
It signals recognizing one's own mistake or poor judgement, not just experiencing bad outcomes.

I had to eat humble pie after my plan caused the team to fail.
Humility Required
The phrase implies that the speaker feels genuine regret and is being sincere in their contrition.

The CEO ate humble pie during the press conference, apologizing for the oversight.
No Literal Meaning
It is metaphorical and has nothing to do with eating actual pie; 'humble' relates to being humble.

After mocking the amateur player, the pro had to eat humble pie when he was defeated.
Admission of Error
It signals recognizing one's own mistake or poor judgement, not just experiencing bad outcomes.

I had to eat humble pie after my plan caused the team to fail.
Humility Required
The phrase implies that the speaker feels genuine regret and is being sincere in their contrition.

The CEO ate humble pie during the press conference, apologizing for the oversight.
No Literal Meaning
It is metaphorical and has nothing to do with eating actual pie; 'humble' relates to being humble.

After mocking the amateur player, the pro had to eat humble pie when he was defeated.
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