eat (one's) words
To retract something that one has said

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

eat one's words
to admit being wrong in something that one has said, to take back something that one has said, to admit that something is not true

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

eat words
eat (your) words
to admit that what you said is wrong.
I may eat my words, but I don't think Holly is going to be able to do this.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

eat one's words
to admit being wrong in something that one has said; to take back something that one has said, to admit that something is not true
The worker was forced to eat his words after his boss proved that he was wrong.

I told my boss that I would soon quit my job but later I had to eat my words and tell him that I wanted to stay.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

eat one's words
v. phr. To take back something you have said; admit something is not true.
John had called Harry a coward, but the boys made him eat his words after Harry bravely fought a big bully.
Compare: EAT CROW.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲