eat one's words

phrase

: to retract what one has said

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eat one's words was in 1571

Rhymes for eat one's words

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Browse Nearby Words

eat one's heart out
eat one's words
eat one out of house and home
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Cite this Entry

“Eat one's words.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eat%20one%27s%20words. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Definition revised
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