eating like a pig

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformaldisapproving

   Eating a large amount greedily, quickly or with very bad table manners.

   Grammar: Needs a subject and usually follows be or keep: he is eating like a pig.

   Patterns

   • someone is eating like a pig
   • stop eating like a pig

   You have been eating like a pig all weekend, so no more cake.

   Stop eating like a pig and use your napkin.

   He apologized for eating like a pig, explaining he had not had lunch.

2. 2phraseidiominformalhumorous

   Eating much more food than is usual or healthy, without necessarily being messy.

   Grammar: Often humorous and self-directed: I was eating like a pig on holiday.

   Patterns

   • been eating like a pig

   I have been eating like a pig since the holidays began.

   She joked that she was eating like a pig before her marathon.

Word forms

Common combinations

stop eating like a pig

Stop eating like a pig and leave some for your sister.

be caught eating like a pig

He was caught eating like a pig at the buffet.

been eating like a pig

I've been eating like a pig all week.

accused of eating like a pig

The boy was accused of eating like a pig at dinner.

Synonyms and how they differ

gorging

It describes stuffing yourself with food but does not carry the mess and bad manners that the pig image adds.

stuffing your face

It is equally informal but focuses on filling the mouth quickly, while like a pig stresses greed or sloppiness.

overeating

It is neutral and clinical, so it describes the amount without insulting the eater.

wolfing down

It highlights speed rather than quantity or manners.

Opposites

Word family

eat verb

to take food into the body

piggish adjective

greedy or selfish

pig out phrasal verb

to eat far too much

Commonly confused: eating like a pig or eating like a bird?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “eating like a pig”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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