What Does “She Ate” Mean on Social Media?

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A full breakdown of what internet users mean when they say “she ate”

Co-authored by Glenn Carreau Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: June 3, 2024 Fact Checked

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• She Ate Meaning
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• She Ate and Left No Crumbs Meaning
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• Origin & History
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• Uses
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• Related Slang

|Show more |Show less

You’re scrolling through TikTok or Instagram and see the phrase “She ate,” but what does that mean? Is it a compliment, a descriptor, or something else? We have the answer for you! “She ate” (or “Ate”) is a phrase that expresses admiration for someone, essentially conveying the idea that they did something really well. Read on for a complete guide to the phrase “She ate,” including its origins, history, and the different ways you can use it—especially on social media.

“She Ate” Meaning at a Glance

“She ate” is a slang term that means someone has done a great job or done something with style. It usually refers to fashion, music, or other performances. “Ate” can be used with other pronouns (like “They ate” or “He ate”) to express heartfelt admiration for anybody.

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Section 1 of 5:

What does “She ate” mean?

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1. “She ate” is a term expressing admiration or praise for someone. When you say, “She ate,” you’re basically saying, “She’s amazing!” or “She looked incredible!” The phrase emphasizes when someone has done something impressively or with lots of style. It’s often used in the context of fashion or performance but can apply to other situations as well.

   • “Omg she ate that role!”
   • “Wow, he really ate in that costume, it was so good!”
   • You might also see people say, “She ate that,” which is just another version of the above phrase; it means the same thing (expressing praise for someone).
   • Keep in mind that you can use other pronouns with “ate” too (like “He ate” or “They ate”), and it’ll mean the same thing.
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Section 2 of 5:

What does “She ate and left no crumbs” mean?

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1. “She ate and left no crumbs” means doing something remarkably well. It’s essentially an even stronger, more emphatic version of “she ate.” When you say, “They ate and left no crumbs,” it’s like saying somebody was absolutely flawless, or put 110% of their talent and effort into something and delivered beyond your expectations! For example:

   • “Zendaya ate and left no crumbs on the red carpet—as always!”
   • “Disney can’t do a remake better than the original Mulan. That movie ate and left no crumbs!”

Section 3 of 5:

Origin & History of “She Ate”

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1. 1
   “She ate” originated in the African American and LGBTQ+ communities. While the exact origins of the phrase aren’t totally clear, it emerged in the 2000s as a way to praise a woman who delivered an exceptional performance in a drag show, dance competition, or similar activity. The ballroom scene, in particular, is believed to have popularized the term.

   • The ballroom scene—also known as “ballroom culture” or simply “ballroom” was an underground LGBTQ+ drag subculture that honored and showcased Black and Latinx performers.
2. 2
   The slang term grew popular in pop culture and social media over time. Over the years (especially as drag and LGBTQ+ culture have become more mainstream), “ate” has become a slang term used more broadly by all kinds of social media users. Although it’s now more widespread, it still has a positive, encouraging message—which is why it’s still used to express admiration for others.
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Section 4 of 5:

How to Use “Ate” on Social Media & in Texts

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1. 1
   Express admiration for someone’s taste in fashion. Whether you’re describing a friend’s incredible outfit for a concert or your favorite celebrity’s Met Gala look, you can emphasize how much you loved the fashion statement by saying they “ate.” Since “ate” is often used in the context of fashion, it serves as an easy way to compliment someone’s style.

   • “Girl, you ate in that dress last night!”
   • “Lady Gaga’s outfits are always insane! She ate on the red carpet.”
2. 2
   Rave about a performance you particularly enjoyed. Say you see an impressive dance routine, concert, play, musical, comedy set, improv skit, or any other type of performance. Afterward, you could say that the performers “ate” as a way of conveying that they did a great job—and expressing how much you loved their work. For example:

   • “So many lols last night. Saw a comedian who absolutely ate their standup performance!”
   • “I swear, every singer cast member in Wicked ate that performance. Amazing from start to finish!”
3. 3
   Compliment someone for their creativity or talent. Although “She ate” is usually associated with music, performance, and fashion, you can apply it to any type of creativity or skill that someone has. You might tell a friend they “ate” if you love their newest painting, if you think they did an incredible job knitting a blanket, or even if they’re just really great at a particular game! For example:

   • “Woah, you drew that? You totally ate that sketch.”
   • “Isn’t this scarf so pretty? She ate when she was making this.”
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Section 5 of 5:

Related Slang

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1. “Ate” is one of many ways to say someone did great at something. You can tell someone they “ate that” to imply they’re so good they practically consumed whatever activity they were doing, but if you’re worried about overusing the term (or just want to shake things up), try these as well:

   • Slay: To dominate
   • Pwnd: Owned
   • Killin’ it: Being great at something
   • Understood the assignment: Did an amazing job
   • YGG: You go, girl!
   • Slammin’: Something awesome

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