worm food
2
7.9
- noun
:
comida para gusanos
- The leftovers in the fridge had gone bad and were only fit for worm food.
Examples
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The old bread in the basket was moldy and destined to become worm food.
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After weeks without care, the garden's rotten vegetables became worm food.
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After sitting in the fridge for weeks, the lettuce turned into worm food.
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He threw away the meat because it was basically worm food.
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If you forget about those apples, they’ll end up as worm food.
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This old bread is just worm food.
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Don't throw that away; it's not worm food yet!
Antonyms
How Rotten
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal meaning 'food for worms' is directly derivable from 'worm' + 'food', so learners who know both words will likely infer it refers to decomposing/spoiled material. However, its common figurative use meaning 'no longer useful or fit' is a metaphorical extension that may not be fully predictable without exposure. Because part of the meaning is compositional while the evaluative/metaphorical sense requires pragmatic knowledge, this is best judged semi-transparent.
Etymology
Worm food comes from the image of old, rotten food that only worms will eat. So, calling something worm food means it is 'spoiled' or 'no longer useful'.