# smoke the whole pack

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/smoke-the-whole-pack
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be made to go all in on something one only wanted a lesser amount of.

## Examples

- I only wanted one slice, but they made me smoke the whole pack.
- I asked for a small sample, but the pushy salesman insisted I smoke the whole pack.
- Although he initially sought only a minor commitment, the aggressive terms of the contract forced him to smoke the whole pack.

## Origin

From an old punishment in which a child caught smoking a single cigarette was compelled by an adult to smoke the entire pack. The practice was intended to create a physical aversion to tobacco so that the child would never wish to smoke again.

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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.