eat your words

eat (one's) words

To retract, regret, or feel foolish about what one has previously said. You think I can't get an A in this class, but I'll make you eat your words when we get our report cards! After my negative prediction for the season, I certainly ate my words when the team started out undefeated.
See also: eat, word

eat your words

COMMON If someone has to eat their words, they have to admit that an opinion that they stated publicly has now been proved wrong. He was very doubtful about our chances of success but he'll be eating his words now. The company's chairman has had to eat his words about the company being recession-proof.
See also: eat, word

eat your words

retract what you have said, especially when forced to do so.
See also: eat, word

eat your ˈwords

be forced to admit that what you have said before was wrong: Nick told everyone that he’d be picked for the team, but when he wasn’t chosen he had to eat his words.
See also: eat, word
References in classic literature ?
So he gallops close to the 'orse's legs, And he claps his head vithin; And the Bishop says, 'Sure as eggs is eggs, This here's the bold Turpin!' CHORUS And the Bishop says, 'Sure as eggs is eggs, This here's the bold Turpin!' II Says Turpin, 'You shall eat your words, With a sarse of leaden bul-let;' So he puts a pistol to his mouth, And he fires it down his gul-let.
View in context
"Players like that can always make you eat your words."
Rooney will make critics eat their words - Becks
And if you think that's just a lucky photo and that her people are exaggerating her skillz, just look up 'Suki The Cat DJ Scratching' on YouTube and prepare to eat your words. When she's not busy on the decks, Suki also enjoys doing somersaults.
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SOMETIMES you have to eat your words. This is what happened recently with Gulshan Grover, who had been bragging non- stop about signing a film opposite Salma Hayek in Bill Duke's The Driver .
Gullu eats crow for Salma Hayek boast
Doubters, eat your words Imperial Commander, what a performance.
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This year, she'll read during the Celebration's City Hall lunch series Eat Your Words.
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So all those who thought Jodie Marsh was just a talentless old slapper eat your words. She's keeping tradition alive, innit.
IAN HYLAND'S TV WEEK: Busting for a topless revolution
You may not be able to eat your words; it only leads to downfall.
Dealing with The Media. (Letters to the Editor)
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