can't stomach (something)

can't stomach (something)

1. To be unable to digest or tolerate certain food without discomfort. I love living in India, but I can't stomach spicy food and it makes mealtimes here rather difficult. I just can't stomach rich, fatty foods like I did when I was younger. No milk for me, please. I'm lactose intolerant and just can't stomach dairy.

2. To be unable to tolerate something due to an aversion or a strong sense of disgust or dislike. I'm waiting to hear if I got into my first-choice school, but I can't stomach this uncertainty of not knowing! I could never be a doctor or nurse—I just can't stomach the sight of blood. Aunt Judy and Mom are arguing again? Ugh, I can't stomach all this tension.

3. To be unable to muster the courage, determination, or resolve to do, face, or experience something unpleasant. The military always sounded interesting as a means of traveling the world, but I couldn't stomach the thought of having to kill another person. I just can't stomach scary movies at all, but my girlfriend loves them. I can't stomach violent video games—these cutesy animal village games are more my thing.

See also: stomach

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

stomach

tv. to tolerate someone or something. (Usually negative.) Spike couldn’t stomach the opera, and he left after the first ten minutes.

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.