feed the beast



feed the beast

1. In politics, to fund or supplement governmental spending, especially through increased tax revenue. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. Politicians are always looking for new ways to feed the beast, but if we really want the economy to recover, we need to be cutting taxes across the board.
2. To devote or contribute an undue amount of resources, time, or energy to a self-perpetuating pursuit, situation, behavior, or desire. His addiction had become so severe that he sold everything he owned to keep feeding the beast. The country's leaders enlisted every able man to feed the beast of its war of expansion. We're brainwashed from a young age to continue feeding the beast of consumerism.
See also: beast, feed

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Tashi-Tibetan, Bhutanese
MylesMIELZ, MIE-əlzEnglish
Sigeweard-Anglo-Saxon
Keld-Danish
Archippos-Ancient Greek
Pero-Serbian, Croatian