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whet

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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.

See also: appetite, whet

whet somebody's appetite

to cause you to want more of something Her work on this show has whetted her appetite to do theatrical sets for other shows. Predictions of defeat only seemed to whet his appetite for battle.

See also: appetite, whet

whet somebody's appetite

if an experience whets someone's appetite for something, it makes them want more of it That first flying lesson whetted her appetite. (often + for ) I did a short course last year, and it's whetted my appetite for study.

See also: appetite, whet

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.

See also: appetite, whet