“Avoir les yeux plus gros que le ventre”: Are You Overestimating Your Abilities ?

The French phrase "Avoir les yeux plus gros que le ventre" translates literally to "to have eyes bigger than the stomach." It's roughly equivalent to "biting off more that you can chew."

The phrase describes someone who takes on more than they can handle, often when it comes to food, but it can apply to other situations too. It means having grand ambitions or desires that exceed one’s actual capacity or resources.

For example, after ordering a huge meal, if someone struggles to finish it, they might say:

"J'ai commandé trop... Je crois que j'ai eu les yeux plus gros que le ventre!"

I ordered too much... I think my eyes were bigger than my belly!

Another example, if someone plans a big project without considering their available time or funds, you might say:

"Tu as les yeux plus gros que le ventre!"

Here it means "you're taking on more than you can handle".

"Il a voulu rénover toute la maison tout seul. Il a les yeux plus gros que le ventre."

He wanted to renovate the whole house by himself. He has eyes bigger than his stomach.

This phrase highlights the mismatch between ambition and capability, often in a lighthearted or critical way.