Idioms

an army marches on its stomach

an army marches on its stomach

proverb A well-fed army is most effective. The cook may be the most important person in the unit because an army marches on its stomach. There's been a delay in getting rations to the boys on the front? Well, that's just great—we all know an army marches on its stomach! You've gotta keep morale high and keep these guys well-fed. An army marches on its stomach, after all.
See also: an, army, Marches, on, stomach
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

An army marches on its stomach.

Prov. An army needs a regular supply of food in order to keep on fighting. The invading army will soon have to pull back. An army marches on its stomach, and they're out of food.
See also: an, army, Marches, on, stomach
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

an army marches on its stomach

soldiers or workers can only fight or function effectively if they have been well fed.
The saying has been attributed to both Frederick the Great and Napoleon I. It is a version of the French phrase c'est la soupe qui fait le soldat .
See also: an, army, Marches, on, stomach
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive
And if an army marches on its stomach then a Monastic community certainly prays on its stomach.
Fancy cooking for monks at a local monastery?
It's said an army marches on its stomach, so what chance do our brave boys have?
WHY THEY CALL IT THE MESS.. Soldiers rebel over revolting meals served up in barracks by private firm
They say an army marches on its stomach but in Bastion you have to be very careful your stomach isn't too well-catered for.
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90s 1991 If an army marches on its stomach, soldiers would be on parade in double-quick time, for the military meals dished up by Geordie chefs in battle dress.
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THEY say an army marches on its stomach and that certainly seems to be the case with the boys (and girls) in blue.
Cops have beef over sandwiches; Hancock A SIDEWAYS LOOK AT LIFE, AS THE LAD 'IMSELF MIGHT HAVE SEEN IT
They say an army marches on its stomach but the contents of their ration packs rarely receive much attention.
Tastier rations
AN army marches on its stomach. Unless you are in the British army serving in Iraq, that is.
Voice of The People: Feed our boys!
Napoleon said an army marches on its stomach. But he never imagined that the cooking would be done by a British soldier.
Voice of the Daily Mirror: Salute the chef
NAPOLEON may have been dead nearly 80 years but his famous comment that "an army marches on its stomach" provided a handy advertising tool for Mother Seigel's digestive Syrup during the the Christmas of 1908.
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"They say an army marches on its stomach. Well, it's quite clear ours would rather march on sausages and beans than muesli and yoghurt."
Army loses battle of the bulge to hungry soldiers
AN army marches on its stomach but the Tartan Army has always staggered on its liver.
SNODDY & BIG EARS?
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