He was wrong, so he had to eat humble pie.
eat humble pie
idiomTo admit one's faults; to make a humiliating apology.
Origin
disputed originThe spoken phrase a numble pie (a pie made from the entrails of a deer) was rebracketed as an umble pie, then written as (a) humble pie, after which the figurative meaning developed.
After his bold prediction proved completely incorrect, the manager had to eat humble pie in front of his team.
Despite his initial arrogance regarding the project's success, he was ultimately forced to eat humble pie when the final results revealed his significant errors.
- 01
bite to eat
A snack or quick meal.
- 02
don't shit where you eat
One should not cause trouble in places, groups, or situations that one holds as important or necessary to one's happiness or well-being.
- 03
eat an elephant one bite at a time
To do something one step at a time; to do something in steps rather than all at once.
- 04
eat and leave no crumbs
Synonym of eat (“to be very good at something; to rule; to rock”).
- 05
eat away
To physically corrode or erode (something) gradually.
- 06
eat crow
To recognize that one has been shown to be mistaken or outdone, especially by admitting that one has made a humiliating error.
- 07
eat dirt
To eat humble pie.
- 08
eat for two
To be pregnant