skip a meal

Meaning

This phrase means to miss or not eat one of the main meals of the day, such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It can happen intentionally due to dieting or fasting, or unintentionally because of a busy schedule. The tone is neutral.

Examples

• I had so much work today that I had to skip a meal.

  I had so much work today that I had to skip a meal.

• Skipping a meal might seem like an easy way to lose weight, but it's not healthy.

  Skipping a meal might seem like an easy way to lose weight, but it's not healthy.

• If you skip a meal, you might end up overeating later in the evening.

  If you skip a meal, you might end up overeating later in the evening.

• He was so focused on his video game that he decided to skip a meal.

  He was so focused on his video game that he decided to skip a meal.

• I try never to skip a meal because I get very grumpy when I'm hungry.

  I try never to skip a meal because I get very grumpy when I'm hungry.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I lost my lunch today because I was busy.

  ✓ I skipped a meal today because I was busy.

  'Lose' means you cannot find something physical. If you chose not to eat or missed it, use the verb 'skip'.

• ✗ I skipped to eat lunch.

  ✓ I skipped lunch.

  You skip the noun (the meal) directly. You do not use 'to eat' after 'skip' in this context.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It is not a good idea to ___ just to save time during a busy workday.

  💡 Miss eating lunch or dinner.

  Show answer

  skip a meal

• When you ___, your metabolism can actually slow down.

  💡 Avoid eating one of your daily meals.

  Show answer

  skip a meal