Take a bite out of Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈteɪk/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈbaɪt/ /ˈaʊt/ /ˈəv

TAYK-uh-BYTE-out-uhv

UK

tˈeɪk/ /æɪ/ /bˈaɪt/ /ˈaʊt/ /ˈɒv

TAYK-uh-BYTE-out-ov

Definition

To bite and remove a piece of something, usually food. It can also mean to significantly reduce something, like expenses or resources.

Usage & Nuances

Used literally for eating and figuratively for reduction, especially in informal and semi-formal speech ('take a bite out of the budget'). Common for highlighting the impact of something costly. Not used for small, insignificant changes.

• Spanish: dar un mordisco a - reducir (figurado)
• Portuguese (BR): dar uma mordida em - diminuir (figurado)
• Portuguese (PT): dar uma dentada em - reduzir (figurado)
• Chinese (Simplified): 咬一口 - 削减（引申）
• Chinese (Traditional): 咬一口 - 削減（引申）
• Hindi: काट लेना - कम करना (रूपक)
• Arabic: يأخذ قضمة من - يُقلل (مجازي)
• Bengali: এক কামড় নেওয়া - ব্যাপকভাবে কমিয়ে দেয়া (আর্থিকভাবে)
• Russian: откусить - серьёзно уменьшить (финансы)
• Japanese: かじりとる - 大きく減らす（お金など）
• Vietnamese: cắn một miếng - làm giảm nhiều (tiền bạc)
• Korean: 한 입 베어 물다 - 크게 줄이다 (재정 등)
• Turkish: ısırık almak - ciddi şekilde azaltmak (finansal olarak)
• Urdu: ایک نوالہ لینا - بہت کمی کرنا (مالی طور پر)
• Indonesian: mengambil gigitan - sangat mengurangi (keuangan, dsb.)

Example Sentences

She took a bite out of her apple.

basic

Can I take a bite out of your sandwich?

basic

The dog took a bite out of the shoe.

basic

Rent really takes a bite out of my monthly budget.

natural

Unexpected bills can take a bite out of your savings.

natural

Those tickets really took a bite out of my wallet.

natural