Eat crow

Meaning

Admit you were wrong.

Usage

Used when someone reluctantly accepts defeat.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

American folk metaphor about sharing humble food with a defeatist posture.

Used in the 19th century to describe humiliation after being proven wrong.