ENGLISH
REFERENCE

eat one's Wheaties

idiom
Meaning

To prepare or fortify oneself for an activity requiring exertion.


Origin

disputed origin

An allusion to the breakfast cereal Wheaties, long advertised as the "Breakfast of Champions", and its long-standing association with sports celebrities.

Examples
SIMPLE

You should eat your Wheaties before that long hike.

CONTEXTUAL

The team needs to eat their Wheaties because the next game will be very difficult.

COMPLEX

Before facing the grueling final examination, the student felt he needed to eat his Wheaties to summon the necessary mental fortitude.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

Last updated July 12, 2026