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appetite comes with eating

idiom
Meaning

Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.


Origin

disputed origin

Calque of French l'appétit vient en mangeant, first used by François Rabelais.

Examples
SIMPLE

Start the project, because appetite comes with eating.

CONTEXTUAL

I did not want to exercise today, but I started anyway because appetite comes with eating.

COMPLEX

Although she initially hesitated to begin the research, she soon found that appetite comes with eating as the complexity of the subject drew her in.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    burn that bridge when one comes to it

    To anticipate dealing with a problem or situation either by acting in a manner that alienates or cuts ties with others, or merely with the expectation of encountering trouble.

  2. 02

    cross that bridge when one comes to it

    To deal with a problem or situation only if and when it arises.

  3. 03

    one's ship comes in

    One makes or comes into possession of a significant amount of money.

  4. 04

    take something as it comes

    To accept and deal with something (an event, etc.) as it occurs, with a composed state of mind.

  5. 05

    what's eating

    What is wrong with...? What is the problem with... (somebody)? Inquired regarding somebody who seems upset, worried, angry, etc.

  6. 06

    what's eating you

    What is annoying or bothering you?

  7. 07

    when push comes to shove

    When the pressure is on; when the situation is critical or urgent; when the time has come for action, even if it is difficult.

  8. 08

    worst comes to worst

    If a possible worst-case scenario actually occurs.

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