starve (redirected from starvation)

Feed a cold and starve a fever.

Prov. You should feed someone who has a cold, and withhold food from someone who has a fever.; (or, interpreted differently) If you feed someone who has a cold, that will ward off a fever. Jill: I don't feel like going out to lunch with you. I have a cold. Jane: All the more reason you should get something to eat. Feed a cold and starve a fever, you know.

See also: and, cold, feed, fever

starve (someone or an animal) into something

to force someone or an animal to do something by starvation. The torturers finally starved the prisoner into telling the battle plans. They starved the water buffalo into a state of weakness.

starve (someone or an animal) out of some place and starve someone or an animal out

to force a living creature to come out of a hiding place or a place of security by starvation. The attackers tried to starve the people out of the walled city. We tried to starve out the mice.

See also: out, place, some

starve for someone or something

Fig. to have a strong desire or need for someone or something. (Based on starved for some food.) I am starved for Jane. I miss her so! Claire was starved for affection.

starve for some food

to be very hungry for something. I am just starved for some fresh peaches. We were starved for dinner by the time we finally got to eat.

See also: food, some