eat out of someone's hand
To behave in a docile, submissive way towards someone.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The new puppy eats out of my hand already.”
“After the manager gave everyone a bonus, the entire team was eating out of his hand.”
“Through a combination of calculated flattery and strategic gifts, the advisor soon had the king eating out of his hand.”
Attested in the early 20th century, the expression draws upon the behaviour of a domestic animal that has been sufficiently tamed to accept food directly from a human palm. It describes a transition from natural caution to a state of total, submissive reliance.
- 01
another nail in someone's coffin
An event that increases the likelihood of or causes further failure.
- 02
answer someone's prayers
To be or do exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.
- 03
answer to someone's prayers
Exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.
- 04
apple of someone's eye
The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.
- 05
back of one's hand
A display of disrespect or scorn.
- 06
bane of someone's existence
Someone or something that poses a significant problem to someone.
- 07
bash someone's face in
To beat someone violently.
- 08
bash someone's head
To beat up someone violently.
Last updated August 10, 2026