take a bite out of
The phrase "take a bite out of" can be used literally to describe eating or metaphorically to describe reducing or making an impact on something.
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Definition
A2General
(literal)To bite into something, typically food, once for the purpose of eating.
Example
- I took a bite out of the sandwich and realized it was too spicy.
B2General
(idiomatic)To reduce or diminish something significantly.
Example
- The new tax policy is expected to take a bite out of our profits.
B2General
(figurative)To make a noticeable impact or dent in something.
Example
- The community cleanup initiative took a bite out of the litter problem in the park.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "take a bite out of":
take a bitebite inbite offchomp down onsink one's teeth intochew onchew offbite the biscuitcut intocome up and bitebite the big onebite mechew upeat away ateat outbite my asstake a grabbite backbite the curbeat upmake a meal ofeat someone alivebite the bullettake a stab at