Eat your words
phrase
To admit you were wrong and apologize.
After predicting the team would lose the match, he had to eat his words when they won.
Often appears as...
- had to eat his words
- going to eat your words
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
phrase
To admit you were wrong and apologize.
After predicting the team would lose the match, he had to eat his words when they won.
Often appears as...
- had to eat his words
- going to eat your words
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Apology Expected
Using the phrase often implies that an apology or retraction is expected after a mistaken statement.
You said it would never work, but it did. Time to eat your words.
Pro Tip 2/3Casual Tone
The expression is informal and usually used among friends or in casual conversations, not in formal settings.
If I'm right, you'll be eating your words at our next game night!
Pro Tip 3/3Possible Teasing
It can be used playfully among friends to tease someone about a wrong prediction or opinion.
Looks like you'll eat your words; my underdog team just won!
Pro Tip 1/3Apology Expected
Using the phrase often implies that an apology or retraction is expected after a mistaken statement.
You said it would never work, but it did. Time to eat your words.
Pro Tip 2/3Casual Tone
The expression is informal and usually used among friends or in casual conversations, not in formal settings.
If I'm right, you'll be eating your words at our next game night!
Pro Tip 3/3Possible Teasing
It can be used playfully among friends to tease someone about a wrong prediction or opinion.
Looks like you'll eat your words; my underdog team just won!
Pro Tip 1/3Apology Expected
Using the phrase often implies that an apology or retraction is expected after a mistaken statement.
You said it would never work, but it did. Time to eat your words.
Pro Tip 2/3Casual Tone
The expression is informal and usually used among friends or in casual conversations, not in formal settings.
If I'm right, you'll be eating your words at our next game night!
Pro Tip 3/3Possible Teasing
It can be used playfully among friends to tease someone about a wrong prediction or opinion.
Looks like you'll eat your words; my underdog team just won!
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