Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[leslie]

Hi,

I'd like to ask if anyone knows the origin and the usage of ' have your lunch handed to you.' I know it means 'to be outperformed.' But does it imply that if you're not working hard more, you will be got rid of ( have your lunch handed to you and go back home.)?

Could you please give me a sentence by using the phrase and paraphrase it?

Thank you in advance.
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Less Is Blessed

[CP]

I'll take a stab at this one. I think no one has answered yet because it is not a common expression, but it is something like other expressions used.

Sometimes when a person or a team is beaten in a game or contest, he or she might say, "Wow, I really ate my lunch that time." Sometimes we will say, "I'll make you eat your lunch today," meaning, "I intend to beat you soundly at this game today." I don't know why "eat your lunch" is supposed to mean "take a beating," but that's pretty much the way it is used, although it is not too common.

Another way "eat your lunch" is sometimes used is to tell someone to go away and leave you alone. "Why don't you eat your lunch, Phil?" would mean, "Phil, why don't you go away now? I don't want to see your face." It's not very polite.

Your expression seems to be a variation on the theme. If I'm going to make you eat your lunch, I might also say I'm going to hand it to you. If it's before the game, maybe I mean I'm going to beat you. If it's about Phil, maybe I mean I'm going to tell him to get lost.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[leslie]

Thank you very much, CP, though I still cannot make sure if it's an equivalent phrase to a Chinese saying. I appreciate what you've explained. Thank you!!
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Less Is Blessed