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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 one's gunEat Out of Your Handeat someone aliveeat shiteat outeat intoeat one's Wheatieseat someone out of house and homeeat like a pigeat outeat someone's dusteat someone aliveeat iteat one's own dog food

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