Phrasal Verbs with “Eat”

Here’s the ultimate list of phrasal verbs with “eat.”

“Eat away” Meaning and Examples

To consume, to erode something gradually, to destroy something slowly.

Example

Paying for my loans is really eating away my economic gains.

Paying for my loans is really consuming my economic gains.

If you don’t fix that rust, it will eat away the exterior of your car.

If you don’t fix that rust, it will destroy the exterior of your car.

“Eat in” Meaning and Examples

To prepare food at home instead of going to a restaurant. To eat at home.

Example

I’m tired of eating in due to the pandemic. I want to go to a nice restaurant.

I’m tired of preparing food at home due to the pandemic. I want to go to a nice restaurant.

We’ve been spending too much on takeout. We’d better start eating in to save some money.

We’ve been spending too much on takeout. We’d better start eating at home to save some money.

“Eat into” Meaning and Examples

Eat into – Meaning 1

To use more than originally intended, normally referring to money and time. To consume more time and money.

Example

The extensive repairs of my car ate into my original budget. I had to spend more money.

The extensive repairs of my car consumed my original budget. I had to spend more money.

Eat into – Meaning 2

Same as “eat away.” To consume, to erode, to destroy slowly.

Example

The ants were eating into wood. We had to buy some pesticides.

The ants were destroying the wood. We had to buy some pesticides.

Humidity can really eat into any structure. You need to be careful if it appears.

Humidity can really erode any structure. You need to be careful if it appears.

“Eat out” Meaning and Examples

To eat in a restaurant, opposite to eat in.

Example

It’s been ages since we ate out. We should go to a nice Italian restaurant today.

It’s been ages since we ate in a restaurant. We should go to a nice Italian restaurant today.

“Eat up” Meaning and Examples

Eat up – Meaning 1

To eat everything there is. To finish a meal.

Example

My son never wants to eat up his broccoli. I guess it’s normal with kids.

My son never wants to finish his broccoli. I guess it’s normal with kids.

Eat up – Meaning 2

To consume large amounts of your time and money.

Example

Having a sports car can eat up your money in maintenance. It is really expensive.

Having a sports car can consume your money in maintenance. It is really expensive.

Eat up – Meaning 3

To travel, drive, go without problems.

Example

The ride home was so smooth I did not notice when we ate up the highway.

The ride home was so smooth I did not notice when we drove the highway.

Eat up – Meaning 4

Used as be eaten up by/with, this refers to feeling bad for something you did.

Example

The criminal was so eaten up by guilt that he confessed to the robbery.

The criminal felt so bad with guilt that he confessed to the robbery. 

“Eat” phrasal verbs

There are many “eat” phrasal verbs. Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments!