The idiom “(as) hungry as a hunter” is used to describe someone who is very hungry, often due to physical exertion or being without food for a long time. The expression compares the hunger to that of a hunter who has spent the day hunting for food, potentially expending a lot of energy and needing sustenance.
Meaning of “(as) hungry as a hunter“
- Literal Meaning:
- Describes someone who is extremely hungry, akin to how a hunter would feel after a long day of tracking and hunting, when they would be eager to eat.
- Figurative Meaning:
- Used to express that someone is very hungry, usually because they’ve been working hard or have been without food for some time.
Examples of “(as) hungry as a hunter” in sentences
Literal context:
“Is there anything to eat? I’ve been out hoeing my garden all morning, and I’m as hungry as a hunter!”
“After hiking for hours, I was as hungry as a hunter and ready for a big meal.”
Figurative context:
“We’d better have a big meal ready by the time Tommy gets home; he’s always hungry as a hunter after soccer practice.”
“After working in the fields all day, John came home hungry as a hunter and ate everything in sight.”
Origins of the idiom
The idiom likely comes from the image of a hunter who spends long hours in search of food, often expending a lot of energy. After a long day of hunting, a hunter would be very hungry and in need of a hearty meal. This sense of hunger has been applied metaphorically to describe someone feeling extremely hungry due to work, physical activity, or time without food.
Similar expressions
- “Hungry as a bear” (describing extreme hunger, often used interchangeably)
- “Starving” (a direct and common way of expressing extreme hunger)
- “Famished” (similar in meaning, often used to indicate severe hunger)
How to use “(as) hungry as a hunter” in conversations
This idiom is often used informally to describe a person’s appetite after physical exertion or when they haven’t eaten in a while. Here are a few examples of how it can be used:
Describing yourself:
“I’ve been working outside all morning; I’m as hungry as a hunter! Let’s grab lunch.”
“I’ve been running errands all day. I’m hungry as a hunter—what’s for dinner?”
Describing others:
“After a long day at the construction site, Mike was as hungry as a hunter and devoured his dinner in minutes.”
“The kids came in from playing outside, hungry as hunters, and ate everything in the kitchen.”
Figurative use:
“I’ve been on my feet all day, so when I get home, I’ll be hungry as a hunter and need a big meal.”
“The athlete was hungry as a hunter after a full day of training and couldn’t wait for dinner.”
Conclusion
The idiom “(as) hungry as a hunter” effectively conveys extreme hunger, especially after physical exertion. Whether you’re describing yourself after a long day of work or someone else with a strong appetite, this expression adds a vivid, informal touch to conversations about hunger.
