聽起來很顛倒:為什麼會有人用「吃派」來表示謙卑?其實這句話指向一段時代背景。當時的 humble 並不是「謙虛」的意思,而是指一種不怎麼可口的東西。
一般認為它和中世紀的 umbles 有關(指鹿的內臟等可食用的下水)。這些內臟會做成派,通常給僕役或地位較低的人吃;貴族則享用最好的肉。久而久之,umble pie 就和低微身分、受辱的意涵連在一起,後來又被誤解、轉化成 humble pie。
如今,to eat humble pie 的意思是:承認自己錯了,並以謙卑的態度接受尷尬、批評或難堪,常見於先前自誇或固執不聽勸之後。
應用
• 使用頻率:6/10
• 適用場合:Casual
例句
• I insisted I didn’t need any help, but after the presentation bombed I had to eat humble pie and admit I was wrong.
(我明明堅持說不需要別人幫忙,簡報出包後只好吞下自尊,承認自己錯了。)
• After I confidently told my boss I could handle the whole project alone, I had to eat humble pie and ask for my team’s help when things got tough.
(我跟老闆拍胸脯說我可以一個人搞定整個專案,結果事情一變複雜,我只好認栽去請團隊幫忙了。)
• After losing the argument in front of everyone, Jake had to eat humble pie and admit that his coworker was right all along.
(在大家面前輸掉那場爭論之後,Jake 只好摸摸鼻子,承認他同事從頭到尾都是對的。)


