What does the expression "eat your heart out" mean?

Question

What does the expression "eat your heart out" mean?

Answer 1

There are roots of that phrase in the bible ie "to eat one’s own flesh", was used to describe an indolent person.

The heart is defined as the central, core, or inner most part of an object or person. To eat the heart out is to remove the core or most important part.

Hope that helps a bit.

Answer 2

Be jealous, *****.

well, to say formally...

someone, eat your heart out! (humorous)

something that you say which means that you or someone you know can do something better than a person who is famous for doing that thing. I'm taking singing lessons. Celine Dion, eat your heart out!  

Answer 3

Intended to make one feel bitterness or pain as they long for something out of reach.

Example: I'm now dating Jim!   Eat your heart out Todd, you had your chance.

Answer 4

Meaning: Intended to make one feel bitterness or pain as they long for something out of reach.

Example: Eat your heart out Bill, I'm seeing James now. You had your chance.

Origin: Heart is also defined as the central, core, or inner most part of an object (or person).   To eat the heart out is to remove the core or most important part, a part that will surely be missed.

The phrase is probably a shortened way of saying "This will eat your heart out".

Alternatively,

Adapted from the 16th century "eat one's own heart", meaning to suffer from silent grief or vexation. It also has roots in the Biblical phrase, "to eat one’s own flesh", used to describe an indolent person.

Thanks to Mike Pierce

Answer 5

(idiomatic) A taunt implying that the speaker has something the listener greatly desires.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/eat_your_h...

someone, eat your heart out! (humorous)

something that you say which means that you or someone you know can do something better than a person who is famous for doing that thing.

"I'm taking singing lessons. Celine Dion, eat your heart out! "

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/eat+...

Idioms: eat one's heart out

Feel bitter anguish, grief, worry, jealousy, or another strong negative emotion. For example, She is still eating her heart out over being fired, or Eat your heart out--my new car is being delivered today. This hyperbolic expression alludes to strong feelings gnawing at one's heart. [Late 1500s]

http://www.answers.com/eat%20your%20hear...

Answer 6

"Stuff your face" me thinks.......... lol

Answer 7

try your best!

in the spirit of olympics: "Go for Gold!"

Answer 8

eat a whole lot of food

Answer 9

i always thought it meant: Don't be jealous.

Answer 10

(1)very sad

Ever since grandmother died, grandfather has been eating his heart out--he's lost all interest in life and won't even get out of bed to eat."

(2)be jealous (sometime just a joke)

Hey, Pete, you know that girl in the physics class you like so much, the one who won't pay any attention to you? Well, eat your heart out, buddy--I'm taking her out for dinner and a movie Saturday night