English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
I could eat a horse
Meaning
The idiom "I could eat a horse" means that someone is extremely hungry or famished. It is a figurative expression, as no one can actually eat an entire horse in one sitting.
Usage
- After the long hike, John exclaimed, "I could eat a horse!"
- When she came home from work, Sarah was so hungry that she could have eaten a horse.
- The child who had not eaten all day said, "Mommy, I think I could eat a horse right now."
- We ordered enough food for four people, but after the appetizers and entrees, we were still hungry and wished we could eat a horse.
- After missing breakfast, Jack said, "I could eat a horse right now!"
Roots and History
The idiom "I could eat a horse" dates back to at least the 13th century in English literature. It was used by Geoffrey Chaucer in his poem "The Canterbury Tales" to describe the hunger of a group of travelers who had not eaten for days. Over time, the idiom became more commonly used as a figurative expression to describe extreme hunger or famishment.
Synonyms in English
- Starving
- Ravenous
- Hungry like the wolf
- Famished
- Peckish
Synonyms in other languages
- Enchiladas (Spanish) - a dish made with tortillas filled with meat and cheese, then rolled up and covered with chili sauce. It is often used as an expression of extreme hunger.
- Nasi lemak (Malay) - a popular food in Malaysia consisting of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk, served with various toppings such as fried chicken, anchovies, peanuts, and boiled eggs. It is often used as an expression of extreme hunger.
- Sushi (Japanese) - a dish made with vinegared rice and various types of seafood, vegetables, and other ingredients. It is often used as an expression of hunger for Japanese cuisine.
- Poutine (French) - a Canadian dish consisting of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. It is often used as an expression of hunger for comfort food.
- Chilaquiles (Mexican) - a traditional Mexican dish made with fried tortilla chips, simmered in salsa, and topped with eggs, cheese, and other ingredients. It is often used as an expression of extreme hunger.