I could eat a horse

I could eat a horse

Meaning

• to be extremely hungry
• Often used in conjunction with the phrase “I am so hungry that I could eat a horse”

Example Sentences

1. Could we please go out and get some dinner? I am so hungry that I could eat a horse.
2. I haven't eaten since breakfast. I could eat a horse.
3. Is there anything in the fridge that I can eat? I am so hungry that I could eat a horse.
4. At what time will dinner be served? I could eat a horse.
5. Could we please stop for some dinner on our way home? I am so hungry that I could eat a horse.

Origin

The origin of the idiom is not known, but it has been used since the 19^th century. It is easy to imagine that it stems from the fact that a horse is a very large animal. Even though it is not something that you would choose to eat, you might be forced to if you are desperate enough.

The earliest example of the idiom being used is from 1824. It appeared in “The miscellaneous works of Tobias Smollett by Tobias George Smollett”

“for I be so hoongry, I could eat a horse behind the saddle.”