cheese-eating

English

Noun

cheese-eating (uncountable)

1. (usually attributive) Alternative form of cheese eating
   • 1956, The Paris Review - Issues 12-14, page 16:

     To report these unsavory and totally lost creatures is of course a violation of the rigid convict code, and is called “ratting” or “cheese-eating."

   • 2007, David Simon, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, page 116:

     He is, in patrolman's parlance, a cheese-eating rat.

   • 2011, Nikki Turner, Heartbreak of a Hustler's Wife, page 185:

     They loved to throw around the fact that they had a ninety percent plus conviction rate, but failed to mention that they wouldn't know jackshit if it wasn't for cowardly, cheese-eating rats telling on anybody to save their own ass.

Adjective

cheese-eating (comparative more cheese-eating, superlative most cheese-eating)

1. (informal) Superior and self-satisfied.
   • 2007, Patrick Jones, Nailed, page 101:

     "You nailed him,” Sean says with a cheese-eating grin

   • 2012, Janice Jones, From Sinner to Saint:

     Once he finally stopped and stood still at the bottom of the bed, he looked over to find a big ole cheese-eating grin on his mother's face.

   • 2014, A. Destiny, Emma Carlson Berne, Sunset Ranch:

     As I watched, Stephen glanced over at him, and Zach gave Stephen a big cheese-eating grin.

Derived terms

• cheese-eating surrender monkey