Saying sorry can be hard sometimes. But we all have to do it at some point if we mess up something, right? That’s when we say, we have to eat humble pie. If you are looking for the definition of the English idiom”eat humble pie,” you are definitely at the right place. Continue reading to find out the meaning and origin of eat humble pie.
English Idiom: Eat Humble Pie
Eat Humble Pie
Before we get into the whole expression, let’s break it down a little bit to make it easier for you to understand what eat humble pie means. English idioms can be quite confusing if you don’t know the exact meaning and where it comes from. However, it is crucial to know idioms to improve your conversation skills because native English speakers often use these kinds of expressions in regular day-to-day conversations.
What Does Humble Mean in Eat Humble Pie?
You might think that “humble” in eat humble pie means the adjective humble which means to be modest. Nice guess. But in this expression, humble actually refers to the numbles/umbles. Umbles is pronounced as humbles. Numbles/umbles means the inner parts or leftovers of meat or used food.
Eat Humble Pie Meaning
Origin of Eat Humble Pie
In the 1300s, hunting parties consisted of rich men. These parties would go out to kill animals to eat. After coming back from hunting, they would take the best cuts of meat and give the numbles/umbles (the leftovers and inner pieces) to poor people. The numbles/umbles were baked into a pie.
As mentioned earlier, umbles is pronounced as “humbles.” That is how, over time, it came to become known as humble pie.
Similar Expression
“Eat crow” has a similar meaning to eat humble pie.
Meaning of Eat Humble Pie
Eat humble pie means to accept that you are wrong and apologize.
Eat Humble Pie Examples
Check out the examples using eat humble pie in a sentence.
- When Bob realized that he messed up, he had to eat humble pie.
- Teacher forced Kathy to eat humble pie and apologize in front of the class.
- John isn’t the best person to work with, but at least he will accept his mistakes and eat humble pie.
English Idiom Eat Humble Pie Meaning & Origin
Other English Idioms and Expressions
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- Back to Square One Meaning
- Bee in Your Bonnet Meaning
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FAQs About Eat Humble Pie
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the English idiom, eat humble pie.
What does it mean to eat humble pie?
To eat humble pie means to admit the fact that you are wrong and apologize.
Where did the expression eat humble pie come from?
The expression eat humble pie originates way back from the 1300s. Rich men went hunting to kill animals to eat. Once they returned, they took the good parts of the meat and gave the leftovers to poor people. These leftover parts are called umbles/numbles which is pronounced as humble. Over time, it turned into humble pie.
What is an example sentence for humble pie?
Here are a few example sentences using eat humble pie:
- They had to eat humble pie when the rumors they were spreading were found to be a lie.
- Everyone who told her that she won’t make first place had to eat humble pie when she became the champion.
- Eat humble pie, and go say sorry to Sam.
Eat Humble Pie: Join the Conversation
What are your thoughts on this English expression, eat humble pie? If it is your first time learning about it, try making a sentence on your own using the expression. This way, you will be able to remember this new idiom more easily. If there is another English expression you want to learn, let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you and help you learn English!
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