eat one's words: translation
eat one's words
Fig. to have to take back one's statements; to confess that one's predictions were wrong. •
You shouldn't say that to me. I'll make you eat your words.
•
John was wrong about the election and had to eat his words.
* * *
also[swallow one's words] {v. phr.} To take back something you have said; admit something is not true. * /John had called Harry a coward, but the boys made him eat his words after Harry bravely fought a big bully./ Compare: EAT CROW.