Eat your words Meaning in English
expression
ˈit/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈwɝdz
EET yoor WURDZ
ˈiːt/ /jˈɔː/ /wˈɜːdz
EET yaw WURDZ
Definition
To admit that what you said before was wrong, especially after being proven wrong.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and somewhat confrontational; often used after someone is proven wrong in an argument. Common with 'make someone eat their words.' Not literal—don't use for physical eating.
Spanish: tragarte tus palabrasPortuguese (BR): engolir suas palavras - voltar atrás no que dissePortuguese (PT): engolir as tuas palavras - voltar atrás no que dissesteChinese (Simplified): 收回自己的话Chinese (Traditional): 收回自己的話Hindi: अपनी बात वापस लेनाArabic: تبتلع كلماتكBengali: মুখ দিয়ে বলা কথা ফিরিয়ে নেওয়া - ভুল স্বীকার করাRussian: проглотить свои словаJapanese: 自分の言ったことを撤回するVietnamese: rút lại lời nóiKorean: 자신의 말을 취소하다 - 자신의 말을 철회하다Turkish: sözünü geri almakUrdu: اپنے الفاظ واپس لیناIndonesian: menarik perkataan - menarik ucapan
Example Sentences
I was wrong. I have to eat my words now.
basic
Tom didn't believe me, but he had to eat his words.
basic
After the results, they had to eat their words.
basic
Just wait—I’ll make you eat your words!
natural
I was so sure I was right, but I ended up having to eat my words in front of everyone.
natural
Nobody believed her, but when she was right, they all had to eat their words.
natural