This idiom describes someone who takes or desires more food, opportunities, or responsibilities than they can handle, driven by greed or overambition. It evokes the image of eyes overestimating what the stomach can digest, suggesting a mismatch between desire and capacity. The phrase is used in dietary, professional, or personal contexts, often with a humorous or gently scolding tone, reflecting the human tendency to overreach and the need for realistic self-assessment.

The phrase likely originated in 16th-century England, rooted in observations of gluttony at feasts, where people piled plates beyond their appetite. An early version appears in John Lyly’s *Euphues* (1578): ‘His eye is bigger than his belly.’ The modern form was common by the 18th century, with Samuel Johnson’s 1755 *Dictionary* noting ‘eyes bigger than belly’ as a proverb for greed. It gained traction in the 19th century, as seen in Charles Dickens’ *Dombey and Son* (1848), reflecting Victorian concerns with moderation. Its use in American English grew during the 20th century, particularly in domestic settings, where it became a playful rebuke for overeating or overcommitting.