Eat crow
Meaning
To be forced to admit one was wrong or accept defeat, especially after having boasted or expressed strong confidence.
Origin
The phrase 'eat crow' emerged in early 19th-century America, drawing its vivid imagery from the universally acknowledged unpalatability of crow meat. While several origin tales exist, a popular, albeit likely embellished, story from the War of 1812 perfectly captures its essence: an American soldier, caught behind enemy lines, was challenged by a British officer to shoot a crow. When he failed, he was humiliatingly forced to take a bite of the raw bird. The American, however, then seized the officer's gun and compelled him to finish the entire crow. This blend of forced humiliation and a literal, distasteful meal cemented 'eating crow' as the ultimate metaphor for reluctantly admitting a mistake or accepting a humiliating defeat, especially after a display of arrogance.
Examples
- After confidently predicting the stock market crash, John had to eat crow when his investments soared.
- The opposing team captain had to eat crow after claiming victory before the final whistle.