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eat one's young

To betray a constituent or charge out of self-serving interests or desperation; savaging.

Etymology:

  • The term is derived from the zoological phenomenon of animals killing and consuming their own young for sustenance.
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With bankruptcy looming, the corporation eventually began eating its young; massive layoffs were announced, and all employee benefits and bonuses were suspended.

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Submitted on September 01, 2009

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manger son jeune

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to eat one's young

eat out of somebody's handeat one's own dog foodeat one's guneat out of someone's handeat one's wordseat someone aliveeat one's Wheatieseat someone's dustEat Out of Your Handeat like a birdeat like a pigeat one's heart outeat my shortseat out

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