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to eat like a bird
01
to have a very little desire to eat
What is the origin of the idiom "eat like a bird" and when to use it?
The idiom "eat like a bird" originated from the misconception that birds eat very small quantities of food, given their size. This phrase is often used to describe individuals who have very small appetites or who consume minimal portions of food during meals. In reality, many birds eat a significant amount of food relative to their body weight, but the idiom has persisted in popular language to describe people who eat sparingly.
Example
Even though the party had a buffet with a variety of dishes, he ate like a bird, trying a little bit of everything but not taking much.
She always claims to be on a diet, but in reality, she eats like a bird and hardly consumes anything substantial.
Whenever we go out to eat, he orders a small salad and eats like a bird, while the rest of us enjoy hearty meals.
