stick to the ribs

stick to the/(one's) ribs

Of food, to be hearty and sustaining. I'm sick of eating nothing but fruit and vegetables—give me something that will stick to the ribs. Have a bowl of my famous chili, it will stick to your ribs in this cold weather.
See also: rib, stick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

stick to the ribs

Be substantial or filling, as in It may not be health food but steak really sticks to the ribs. This idiom was first recorded in 1603.
See also: rib, stick
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

stick to the ribs

To be filling and satisfying. This description of enjoying one’s food dates from at least 1603: “Some one . . . hath offred her such Kindnes as sticks by her ribs a good while after” (Wilson, The Bachelor’s Banquet). It appeared in John Ray’s proverb collection of 1670 as well.
See also: rib, stick
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • stick to ribs
  • stick to the/(one's) ribs
  • stick to your ribs
  • guard against
  • guard against (someone or something)
  • root (something) in (something)
  • root in
  • eat for two
  • hearty
  • hale and hearty
References in periodicals archive
But it's the film's central motifs that should stick to the ribs: Always believe in yourself and never give up.
Animated 'Free Birds' is kooky, but falls a bit flat
Modern content may be "snackable," but for the most part it doesn't stick to the ribs. Most of the lists, memes and apps are quickly, often instantly, discarded.
Nike's 'Just Do It,' celebrates 25th
Still, the movie does stick to the ribs, and not just because of Charoenpura's gutsy lead perf: She not only gets down and dirty with the violence but also, in the second half, manages to evoke some sympathy for what initially seemed a one-dimensional genre character.
Meat Grinder
Fat's tendency to stick to the ribs (and thighs and hips) doesn't entirely explain why some people are trim and others are plump.
Calories don't count ... equally