Cool MateEat like a king vs Indulge
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Eat like a king
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Indulge
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Most formal: IndulgeMost common: Indulge
| Eat like a king | Indulge | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //iːt laɪk ə kɪŋ//🇺🇸 //it laɪk ə kɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈdʌldʒ/","/ɪnˈdʌldʒɪz/","/ɪnˈdʌldʒd/","/ɪnˈdʌldʒɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈdʌldʒ/","/ɪnˈdʌldʒɪz/","/ɪnˈdʌldʒd/","/ɪnˈdʌldʒɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To eat very well or have a large and luxurious meal. | To allow yourself to enjoy something you like. |
| Example | After winning the championship, we went out to eat like a king. | They went into town to indulge in some serious shopping. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | feast, dine well, lavish meals, luxurious dining, gourmet food | occasionally, freely, be able to, be free to, can, in, with, occasionally, freely, be able to, be free to, can, in, with, occasionally, freely, be able to, be free to, can, in, with, occasionally, freely, be able to, be free to, can, in, with |
| Antonyms | - | restrain, deny, deprive |
| Common mistakes | Using it in a formal context., Confusing it with 'live like a king', which has a broader meaning., Not using it when describing substantial feasting. | Confusing 'indulge' with 'indulged' (past tense), Using 'indulge in' without an object, Saying 'indulge to' instead of 'indulge in' |
| Usage notes | Use this idiom when describing someone who enjoys lavish meals. It's informal, so avoid it in formal writing or speeches. | Use 'indulge' when talking about enjoying special treats or activities, often with a sense of excess. It fits in neutral contexts; avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Eat like a king vs Indulge
What's the difference between Eat like a king and Indulge?
Eat like a king: To eat very well or have a large and luxurious meal. Indulge: To allow yourself to enjoy something you like.
Which is more formal: Eat like a king and Indulge?
Indulge is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Eat like a king and Indulge?
Indulge is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Eat like a king: After winning the championship, we went out to eat like a king. Indulge: They went into town to indulge in some serious shopping.
Can I use Eat like a king and Indulge interchangeably?
Not always. Eat like a king and Indulge are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.