Meanings
present singular third person packs a lunch · participle present packing a lunch · participle past packed a lunch · past packed a lunch
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see pack, a, lunch: prepare a packed lunch.
The field trip will last all day long, so you'll need to pack a lunch and wear comfortable shoes.
- To be dedicated and well-prepared in pursuing a goal.
you'd better pack a lunch if you think you'll [do X]
1 more example
If you're hoping to outwork Jane, you'd better pack a lunch.
Synonyms: get up early
Synonyms & antonyms
verbTo be dedicated and well-prepared in pursuing a goal.
Origin
From the idea that a large and difficult task requires substantial preparation and effort. The same metaphor is at work for get up early; pack a lunch may well have come after get up early as an elaboration of the metaphor. The two phrases are often used in combination, for example, if you're planning to do X, you'd better get up early and pack a lunch.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
pack a lunch. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pack%20a%20lunch
“pack a lunch.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pack%20a%20lunch. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “pack a lunch,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pack%20a%20lunch.
Source: pack a lunch on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.