if you can't beat them, eat them

proverb

If one cannot control or eradicate invasive species or unwanted populations, one should consume them as a method of elimination, such as green crabs or blue catfish.

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Meanings

proverb
  1. humorousIf one cannot control or eradicate invasive species or unwanted populations, one should consume them as a method of elimination, such as green crabs or blue catfish.
Cite this entry
APA

if you can't beat them, eat them. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/if%20you%20can't%20beat%20them%2C%20eat%20them

MLA

“if you can't beat them, eat them.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/if%20you%20can't%20beat%20them%2C%20eat%20them. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “if you can't beat them, eat them,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/if%20you%20can't%20beat%20them%2C%20eat%20them.

Source: if you can't beat them, eat them on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.