eat one's heart out
English
Etymology
Disputed. Three schools of thought exist:
- From "This will eat your heart out.", suggesting that the recipient of the taunt will have their heart, the core of their being, eaten out with desire, bitterness, or pain.
- From the 16th century "to eat one's own heart" (to suffer in silence from anguish or grief), possibly from the Bible "to eat one's own flesh" (to be lazy).
- When used as the taunt "Eat your heart out, [someone]!" a suggestion that the recipient of the taunt "eat up" as much as they like. Figuratively more akin to "experience me besting you."
Pronunciation
Audio (AU): (file)
Verb
- (idiomatic) To feel overwhelming sorrow, jealousy, or longing; to grieve.
- The Brazilians are eating their hearts out over their defeat by Germany in the World Cup.
- Eat your heart out, pal! We won the title!
Translations
feel overwhelming negative emotion
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References
- Phrases, Clichés, Expressions, & Sayings, accessed on 2005-04-05
- Origin of Phrases, accessed on 2005-04-05