can’t get enough: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘can't get enough’ mean?

The idiom "can't get enough" means to want or desire something in large quantities or to an extreme degree.

Idiom Explorer

Unquenchable Thirst

When it comes to desires and cravings, there is another idiom that is closely related to "can't get enough" - "get one's fill." This idiom means to satisfy one's appetite or desire completely. It implies that a person has consumed or experienced enough of something to feel content or fulfilled.

For example, imagine someone who loves chocolate. They might say, "I can't get enough chocolate," indicating their strong desire for it. But once they have eaten an entire box of chocolates, they can say, "Now I've gotten my fill of chocolate," suggesting that they are satisfied and don't need any more.

This idiom highlights the relationship between "can't get enough" and the idea of being satisfied or fulfilled. It shows that while "can't get enough" emphasizes a strong desire for more, "get one's fill" suggests reaching a point of satisfaction or completion.

Another idiom that connects to "can't get enough" is "tie one on." This phrase is informal and means to get drunk or heavily intoxicated. It can be used to describe someone who consumes an excessive amount of alcohol and cannot seem to stop themselves.

The connection to "can't get enough" in this context is the idea of excess and the inability to control one's consumption. Someone who says "I can't get enough alcohol" is expressing a desire for more and may also be at risk of "tying one on" - losing control and drinking to excess.

It's important to note that using this idiom in a context of alcohol consumption can carry negative connotations. It suggests an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and may indicate a potential issue with addiction.

An insatiable obsession, a wordplay addict's infatuation.

The connection between "can't get enough" and "tie one on" lies in the concepts of desire and excess. They both highlight the human tendency to seek more of something, whether it be a desired experience or a substance like alcohol.

Another idiom that relates to "can't get enough" is "appetite comes with eating." This phrase suggests that the more you consume or experience something, the more you desire it.

The connection between this idiom and "can't get enough" is the idea that one's desire for something intensifies the more they indulge in it. For example, let's say someone loves watching a particular TV show. The more episodes they watch, the more they enjoy it and want to keep watching. They might say "I can't get enough of this show!" expressing their growing enthusiasm and desire as they continue to watch.

This idiom reinforces the notion that "can't get enough" represents an increasing desire or craving for something. It suggests that the more you experience and enjoy something, the stronger your desire becomes.

Lastly, there is an idiom that perfectly captures the sentiment of "can't get enough" - "can't wait." This phrase is used to express extreme eagerness or impatience for something to happen or be obtained.

The connection between "can't get enough" and "can't wait" lies in the shared sense of anticipation and desire. Both idioms convey a strong longing or craving for something, whether it be a certain experience, event, or even a material possession.

For example, someone might say "I can't get enough of the beach, I can't wait for summer to come!" Here, they express their enthusiasm for the beach and their eagerness for summer to arrive so that they can enjoy it to the fullest.

Overall, these related idioms shed further light on the meaning and significance of "can't get enough." They illustrate the various ways in which this idiom can be used to describe desires, cravings, and a strong preference for something. Whether it's about being satisfied, losing control, intensifying desire, or eagerly awaiting something, "can't get enough" captures the essence of human longing and the universal experience of wanting more.

Example usage

Examples of how the idiom "can't get enough" can be used in a sentence are:

  1. I love chocolate so much, I can't get enough of it.
  2. She's obsessed with video games and can't get enough of playing them.
  3. He listens to his favorite band every day because he just can't get enough of their music.

The idiom "can't get enough" is used to express an intense desire or appetite for something, indicating that someone wants more of it than they currently have or experience. It emphasizes a strong liking or enjoyment that exceeds the norm, and can be used to describe various things such as food, activities, or entertainment.

More "Desire" idioms