Τρώω is one of the most common words and means “to eat”. In this post there are  examples on the most common colloquial idioms and slang phrases for this verb.

τρώω γκολ: literally, it means “to eat a goal”. This phrase is used in football.

Example: if team X scores three goals against team Z, we would say “Z ate three goals”: Η Ζ έφαγε τρία γκολ.

 

τρώω πόρτα: We use this phrase for someone who was denied entry from a club or an expensive place.

Example: Τα παιδιά πήγαν το κλαμπ αλλά έφαγαν πόρτα γιατί ήταν μόνο δεκατεσσάρων χρονών. / The kids went to the club but they were denied entry because they were only 14 years old.

 

τρώω χυλόπιτα: to be rejected by a man or a woman.

Example: «Ζήτησα από την Ειρήνη να βγούμε αλλά έφαγα χυλόπιτα.» «Ε, τι περίμενες; Αφού τα ‘χει μ’άλλον!» / “I asked Irini out but she said no.” “What did you expect? She’s dating someone else!”

 

τρώω τα λεφτά μου: to spend my money recklessly.

Example: Τρώει τα λεφτά του στα στοιχήματα. / He wastes his money on betting.

 

τρώω τα ψωμιά μου: I had the biscuit.

Example: To ψυγείο μου τα ‘φαγε τα ψωμιά του. Πρέπει να αγοράσω καινούργιο. / My refrigerator has had the biscuit. I need to buy a new one.

 

τρώω τη σειρά κάποιου: σειρά means row or line. It is used for someone who is cutting a line in front of others.

Example: Ο Άκης έφαγε τη σειρά της μπροστινής του όταν πήγε στην τουαλέτα. / Akis  cut the line in front of the woman who stood in front of him  when she went to the restroom.

 

τρώω στη  μάπα: μάπα means cabbage. This expression means to deal with an annoying or boring person.

Example: «Τι βαρετή που είναι η Αντωνία!» «Ναι! Χθες το βράδυ ήταν κι αυτή στο μπαρ και τη φάγαμε στη μάπα μιά ώρα. Ευτυχώς, ήρθε ο φίλος της κι έφυγαν.» / “Antonia is so boring!” “Yes! She was also at the bar last night and we had to deal with her for one hour. Fortunately, her boyfriend came and they left.”

 

τρώω ξύλο: ξύλο means wood. This phrase  is used as a threat to children and it means to be hit.

Example: Αν ξανατρέξεις στη μέση του δρόμου, θα φας ξύλο! / If you run  in the middle of the road again, I will smack you (you will be smacked)!

 

τρώω πρόστιμο: incur a fine

Example: Μην παρκάρεις εδώ! Θέλεις να φας πρόστιμο; / Don’t  park here. Do you want to incur a fine?

 

τρώγομαι με τα ρούχα μου: τρώγομαι is the passive voice of τρώω and ρούχα means clothes. This expression is used for someone who complains all the time, usually for no reason.

Example: «Πώς περάσατε στο εστιατόριο;» «Χάλια. Ο αδερφός μου τρωγόταν με τα ρούχα του, όπως πάντα: η σούπα ήταν λύσσα, το κρασί παγωμένο, το τραπεζομάντηλο παραήταν ροζ…» / “Did you have a nice time at the restaurant?” “Not at all. My brother was moaning, as always: the soup was too salty, the wine was too cold, the tablecloth was too pink…”

 

τρώγομαι:

1. to ask persistently.

Example: Φαγώθηκε να μας δει και τελικά δεν ήρθε. / He was asking persistently to meet us and finally he didn’t come.

2. to be eaten away, to be damaged

Example: Το άγαλμα φαγώθηκε από τη βροχή. / The statue was damaged from rain.

 

γλοσσοτρώω (γλώσσα= tongue + τρώω). It means to speak enviously against one’s achievements or assets and to bring them bad luck. This is a superstition, of course.

Example: «Τα ΄μαθες; Η Νίνα και ο Μίλτος χώρισαν.» «Μα πώς; Ήταν τόσο ωραίο ζευγάρι! Τους γλωσσόφαγαν!» / “Did you hear the news? Nina and Miltos broke up.” “But how? They were such a nice couple! People were jealous of them and brought them bad luck!”

 

τρώω κάποιον: to kill (literally and figuratively)

Examples:

1. Τον έφαγαν με τρεις σφαίρες. / They killed him with three bullets.
2. Tην έφαγε το ποτό. / Alcohol killed her. (She died because she was drinking too much).

 

με τρώει:  to itch

Example: Κάτι με τσίμπησε. Με τρώει το χέρι μου. / Something bit me.  My arm is itching.