whet
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whet (one's) appetite
To induce or increase one's interest in something. The first chapter of that novel really whetted my appetite—I'm eager to read more of it tonight.
whet (one's) palate
To induce or increase one's interest in something. The first chapter of that novel really whetted my palate—I'm eager to read more of it tonight. We don't want to give away too much in the teaser trailer. It's just meant to whet the audience's palate for the film.
See also: whet
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
whet someone's appetite
Fig. to cause someone to be interested in something and to be eager to have, know, learn, etc., more about it. Seeing that film really whetted my sister's appetite for horror films. She now sees as many as possible. My appetite for theater was whetted when I was very young.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
whet one's appetite
Arouse one's interest or eagerness, as in That first Schubert piece whetted my appetite; I hope she sings some others. This idiom, first recorded in 1612, transfers making one hungry for food to other kinds of eagerness.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
whet someone's appetite
COMMON If something whets your appetite for a particular thing, it makes you want it. Winning the World Championship should have whetted his appetite for more success. Her appetite already whetted by the book, she took a trip to England. Note: You can also say that something whets the appetite. The series is entertaining, and it certainly whets the appetite. Note: To whet a knife means to sharpen it.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
whet someone's appetite
stimulate someone's interest by partial revelation.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
ˌwhet somebody’s ˈappetite
make somebody feel hungry; make somebody interested in something: Don’t eat too much of this dish. It’s only to whet your appetite for the main course. ♢ One of my teachers lent me a book about climbing, and it really whetted my appetite.If you whet a knife, sword, etc., you make it sharper.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017