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3. hungry

hungry

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stay hungry

To remain determined, competitive, motivated, and active in one's hopes, ambitions, or goals; to keep oneself from becoming complacent or self-satisfied with less than one might potentially achieve. You've got a lot of skill, kid, and you're one of the best fighters in the city—but you've got to stay hungry and never lose sight of the biggest prizes out there! It was hard staying hungry after finding such success with my first novel. I just found I wasn't as driven to write when I'd already garnered so much praise and recognition.

See also: hungry, stay

go hungry

to miss a meal and end up hungry. The kids were late for dinner so they had to go hungry.

See also: hungry

*hungry as a bear

 and *hungry as a hunter

Cliché very hungry. (*Also: as ~.) I'm as hungry as a bear. I could eat anything! We'd better have a big meal ready by the time Tommy gets home; he's always hungry as a hunter after soccer practice.

See also: bear, hungry

hungry for something

Fig. desiring something, often something other than food. The orphan was hungry for the warmth of a family. Bill has become hungry for knowledge and is always studying.

See also: hungry

the hungries

n. hunger. I get the hungries about this time every day.

See also: hungry

hungry

1. mod. eager to make money. When he gets hungry for wealth, he’ll get busy.

2. mod. ambitious. He gets ahead because he’s hungry.