Eat your heart out

Meaning

Feel intense jealousy or admiration.

Usage

Used when boasting humorously.

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.

Medieval notion of grief expressed metaphorically.

Used in colloquial boasting since the 19th century.