Meaning
To eat a very large amount of food.
Cultural Background
In Spain, it is common to use this phrase in casual bar settings after a long day. Mexicans often use this to describe the appetite of someone who really enjoys spicy food or large portions. In Argentina, where meat is central to the diet, this phrase is frequently used during an 'asado'. Used in social gatherings to express that the food provided was excellent and plentiful.
Gender Matters
Always check if you are talking about a man or a woman. 'Un león' vs 'Una leona'.
Use it with friends
This is a great icebreaker at a dinner party with friends.
Meaning
To eat a very large amount of food.
Gender Matters
Always check if you are talking about a man or a woman. 'Un león' vs 'Una leona'.
Use it with friends
This is a great icebreaker at a dinner party with friends.
Compliment the cook
If you eat like a lion at someone's house, it's a huge compliment to their cooking!
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Después de trabajar todo el día, ____ como un león.
The context implies a completed action in the past.
Choose the correct gender agreement.
María tiene mucha hambre, ella ____.
María is female, so we use 'una leona'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Tienes hambre? B: ¡Sí, ____!
The idiom requires the verb 'comer' and the full phrase.
Match the situation to the correct usage.
Which situation is appropriate for 'comer como un león'?
The idiom is informal and best used in social settings.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDespués de trabajar todo el día, ____ como un león.
The context implies a completed action in the past.
María tiene mucha hambre, ella ____.
María is female, so we use 'una leona'.
A: ¿Tienes hambre? B: ¡Sí, ____!
The idiom requires the verb 'comer' and the full phrase.
Which situation is appropriate for 'comer como un león'?
The idiom is informal and best used in social settings.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, it is too informal. Stick to professional language.
No, you can use it for any type of food.
Use 'una leona'.
Generally no, it's a playful idiom.
It's understandable, but 'león' is the standard idiom.
It can imply eating quickly, but it's usually about the amount.
Yes, it's very common to describe a hungry child.
Yes, it is widely understood.
Comer como un pajarito.
Yes, 'comeré como un león'.
Yes, always include 'un' or 'una'.
Use it in your next conversation about food.
Related Phrases
Tener un hambre de lobo
synonymTo be very hungry.
Comer como una lima
similarTo eat a lot.
Tener un apetito voraz
similarTo have a voracious appetite.
Comer como un pajarito
contrastTo eat very little.
