Language is more than just words — it’s a reflection of culture, creativity, and imagination. One of the best ways to enrich your English is by learning idioms.
Idioms are special phrases where the meaning is not always the same as the words themselves. For example, if someone says, “I could eat a horse,” they are not planning to eat an actual horse — it simply means they are extremely hungry.
When it comes to expressing hunger, English speakers use dozens of funny, colorful, and vivid idioms. Instead of just saying “I’m hungry,” idioms allow you to show how hungry you really are — whether it’s a light craving, deep starvation,
or an unstoppable appetite. In this article, you’ll discover a wide collection of idioms for hungry, complete with meanings, examples, alternatives, and notes about usage.
Did You Know?
The word “hungry” itself comes from the Old English word hungor, which is linked to the German word Hunger. Interestingly, idioms about hunger are common across cultures — but English expressions often exaggerate hunger in humorous ways, like comparing it to eating a horse or a wolf.
Idioms for Hungry
Let’s explore 42+ idioms and expressions, divided into groups to make them easier to learn and remember.
Idioms for Extreme Hunger
I’m so hungry I could eat a horse
Meaning: Extremely hungry.
Example: After the long hike, she said, “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”
Alternative: “Starving.”
Note: Very common, informal, used in daily conversations.
Hungry as a wolf
Meaning: Very hungry, with a strong appetite.
Example: He came home hungry as a wolf after football practice.
Alternative: “Hungry like a bear.”
Note: Often used in casual, descriptive storytelling.
Ravenous
Meaning: Extremely hungry, almost desperate for food.
Example: She was ravenous after skipping breakfast.
Alternative: “Famished.”
Note: Can be both formal and informal.
Famished
Meaning: Very hungry, close to starving.
Example: I’m famished, let’s grab lunch now.
Alternative: “Starving.”
Note: Common in both casual and formal writing.
Starving
Meaning: Feeling very hungry.
Example: The kids were starving after playing outside all afternoon.
Alternative: “Famished.”
Note: Used casually; not literal starvation.
Hollow as a drum
Meaning: Having an empty stomach, extremely hungry.
Example: After working late, he felt hollow as a drum.
Alternative: “Running on empty.”
Note: Informal, often used in descriptive writing.
Hungry as a bear
Meaning: Having a huge appetite.
Example: After his workout, he was hungry as a bear.
Alternative: “Hungry as a wolf.”
Note: Popular in American English.
Peckish
Meaning: Slightly hungry, wanting a snack.
Example: I’m a bit peckish, do we have any cookies?
Alternative: “Feeling snacky.”
Note: Mostly British English, polite way to say hungry.
Idioms About Cravings and Appetite
Bite to eat
Meaning: A small meal or snack.
Example: Let’s grab a bite to eat before the movie.
Alternative: “Quick snack.”
Note: Informal, used in daily conversation.
Grab some grub
Meaning: Get some food.
Example: We’re starving, let’s grab some grub.
Alternative: “Get some chow.”
Note: Informal, friendly, often used by young people.
Food for thought
Meaning: Something to think about (not literal food).
Example: His advice gave me some food for thought.
Alternative: “A thought-provoking idea.”
Note: Common in professional and academic contexts.
Work up an appetite
Meaning: Do something that makes you hungry.
Example: We worked up an appetite hiking all day.
Alternative: “Burn calories.”
Note: Used in both casual and fitness contexts.
Dig in
Meaning: Start eating enthusiastically.
Example: Dinner is ready — dig in!
Alternative: “Tuck in.”
Note: Friendly, casual, often said at the table.
Eat like a bird
Meaning: Eat very little.
Example: She eats like a bird, just a few bites.
Alternative: “Small appetite.”
Note: Often used when describing someone’s habits.
Eat like a horse
Meaning: Eat a lot.
Example: He eats like a horse but never gains weight.
Alternative: “Big appetite.”
Note: Informal, daily usage.
Make your mouth water
Meaning: Something that looks or smells delicious.
Example: The aroma of pizza made my mouth water.
Alternative: “Looks tasty.”
Note: Used for describing appealing food.
Have eyes bigger than your stomach
Meaning: Order or take more food than you can eat.
Example: He ordered three burgers, but his eyes were bigger than his stomach.
Alternative: “Overestimate appetite.”
Note: Very common, informal.
Idioms Related to Starvation and Lack of Food
Go hungry
Meaning: To not have enough food to eat.
Example: Many families went hungry during the famine.
Alternative: “Starve.”
Note: Can be literal or metaphorical.
Running on empty
Meaning: Having no energy left, like running without food.
Example: I’m running on empty after working all day without lunch.
Alternative: “Burnt out.”
Note: Common in both casual and professional contexts.
Not a crumb left
Meaning: Everything eaten, nothing remains.
Example: They ate the whole cake, not a crumb left.
Alternative: “Wiped clean.”
Note: Informal, often humorous.
Hungry for success
Meaning: Very eager to achieve something (not literal food).
Example: She’s young, talented, and hungry for success.
Alternative: “Driven.”
Note: Used in business and motivational contexts.
Bread and butter
Meaning: Basic needs or main source of income.
Example: Teaching is his bread and butter.
Alternative: “Main livelihood.”
Note: Common in professional speech.
Beggars can’t be choosers
Meaning: People who are desperate can’t afford to be picky.
Example: We only had instant noodles — beggars can’t be choosers.
Alternative: “Take what you can get.”
Note: Common proverb, informal.
Half-baked idea
Meaning: An idea that isn’t fully thought out.
Example: His plan was a half-baked idea at best.
Alternative: “Poorly planned.”
Note: Figurative, not about actual food.
Fun Food-Related Idioms (Metaphorical Hunger)
Eager beaver
Meaning: Very eager to start work or tasks.
Example: She’s always the eager beaver, ready to help.
Alternative: “Go-getter.”
Note: Informal, cheerful.
Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: Take on more work than you can handle.
Example: Don’t bite off more than you can chew with that project.
Alternative: “Overcommit.”
Note: Very common in professional and personal life.
Chew the fat
Meaning: Talk casually with friends.
Example: We sat on the porch and chewed the fat for hours.
Alternative: “Chat.”
Note: Informal, friendly.
Feast your eyes on
Meaning: Look at something beautiful or amazing.
Example: Feast your eyes on this sunset!
Alternative: “Admire.”
Note: Informal, often used for visual beauty.
Bite the hand that feeds you
Meaning: Harm someone who helps you.
Example: Don’t bite the hand that feeds you by being rude to your boss.
Alternative: “Turn against support.”
Note: Used in formal and informal warnings.
In a pickle
Meaning: In a difficult situation.
Example: I’m in a pickle because I lost my wallet.
Alternative: “In trouble.”
Note: Friendly, informal.
Cry over spilled milk
Meaning: Worry about something that cannot be changed.
Example: Forget it, no need to cry over spilled milk.
Alternative: “Let it go.”
Note: Very common proverb.
Salt of the earth
Meaning: A very good, honest person.
Example: She’s the salt of the earth — always helping others.
Alternative: “Kind soul.”
Note: Common in everyday speech.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- Speaking: Idioms make conversations more colorful and natural. Instead of saying “I’m very hungry,” try “I’m starving” or “I could eat a horse.”
- Writing: In blogs, stories, or essays, idioms add personality. For example, “Not a crumb was left” paints a clear picture.
- Professional use: Some idioms like “hungry for success” or “bread and butter” fit well in workplace discussions.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Using idioms too literally
❌ Wrong: “He is hungry for bread and butter” (literal hunger).
✔ Correct: “Teaching is his bread and butter” (income). - Mixing idioms incorrectly
❌ Wrong: “I’m starving like a horse.”
✔ Correct: “I’m hungry as a horse” or “I could eat a horse.” - Using informal idioms in formal writing
❌ Wrong: Writing “Let’s grab some grub” in a business email.
✔ Correct: Use “Let’s have lunch together.”
FAQs
1. What does “I could eat a horse” mean?
It means you are extremely hungry. It’s not literal, but a humorous way of exaggerating hunger.
2. Are idioms for hungry used in formal English?
Some are, like “famished” or “hungry for success.” Others, like “grab some grub,” are informal and best for casual conversation.
3. Do native speakers really use these idioms?
Yes, many of these idioms are common in daily speech, especially in informal settings.
4. How can I remember idioms easily?
Try grouping them by theme (like extreme hunger, cravings, or figurative hunger) and practice them in real sentences.
5. Can idioms about hunger be used metaphorically?
Absolutely. Expressions like “hungry for knowledge” or “hungry for success” show eagerness or strong desire.
Conclusion
Hunger is a universal feeling, and English idioms about hunger make it fun and expressive to talk about.
From “I’m starving” to “feast your eyes on,” these expressions show more than just an empty stomach — they add color, humor, and depth to communication.
By using these idioms in your daily conversations, writing, and even professional settings, you’ll sound more natural and fluent.
So the next time you’re hungry — or just eager for success — try out one of these idioms and watch your English come alive.
