[eat] {sb} alive

to make someone experience extreme pain or distress

The phrase "eat someone alive" originated in the English language and has likely evolved naturally over time. It draws upon the figurative use of the verb "eat" to vividly convey the idea of causing someone extreme pain or distress. The expression is often used in informal contexts to describe situations where individuals are subjected to intense pressure, criticism, or competition that can mentally or emotionally overwhelm them.

The competitive nature of the industry was known to eat inexperienced entrepreneurs alive, making it challenging for them to thrive.
The constant pressure to perform perfectly at work was starting to eat him alive, causing anxiety and sleepless nights.
The overwhelming stress of financial debt was eating him alive, affecting his overall well-being and happiness.
The relentless bullying she endured in school felt like it was slowly eating her alive.

to easily defeat someone by being more skilled, powerful, or aggressive compared to them

The idiom "eat someone alive" is believed to have been in use since the early 20th century. The phrase is likely derived from the idea of a predator consuming its prey, which creates a vivid image of being attacked and destroyed. In modern usage, this idiom is often used in sports, politics, or business to describe a situation where one person or team dominates another to the point of humiliation.

If we don't prepare well, the opposing team will eat us alive in the upcoming game.
The experienced athlete eats his competitors alive in every competition.
The experienced debater ate his opponent alive in the debate.
The team is eating their opponents alive in the current game.

to harshly reprimand someone for what they did

The idiom "eat someone alive" likely originates from the vivid imagery of a predator devouring its prey, emphasizing a figurative consumption of the person through severe criticism or reprimand. It suggests a relentless and harsh attack, as if the individual is being metaphorically torn apart for their actions. In other words, this expression is often used to describe the action of strongly scolding or reprimanding someone for their action or mistake.

When the employee's repeated mistakes jeopardized the project, the manager ate them alive during the team meeting, expressing frustration and disappointment.
After discovering the extent of the student's plagiarism, the professor decided to eat them alive in front of the entire class, making it clear that academic dishonesty would not be tolerated.
The coach ate the players alive for their lackluster performance in the championship game, demanding better effort and commitment.
The boss ate John alive for his unprofessional behavior during the client meeting, stressing the importance of maintaining a positive company image.
Facing the consequences of a major oversight, the politician was eaten alive by the media, enduring relentless criticism and scrutiny for their actions.