# have eyes bigger than one's stomach

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/have-eyes-bigger-than-ones-stomach
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To take more food on one's plate than one can eat; to be greedy.

## Examples

- I ordered too much food; I have eyes bigger than my stomach.
- He piled his plate high at the buffet, clearly having eyes bigger than his stomach.
- Despite her initial hunger, she soon realized she had eyes bigger than her stomach, leaving half of the expensive meal untouched on her plate.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.