Took a bite out of is an idiom that refers to the act of causing significant damage or reduction to something or someone. It is commonly used metaphorically to depict a situation where a portion or important aspect of an entity has been negatively affected or diminished.
In a literal sense, the phrase implies the action of biting into an object, typically food, and consuming a part of it. However, when used figuratively, it portrays the effect of an event or action upon a whole entity, resulting in a substantial loss or setback. This idiom is frequently employed to describe situations involving financial losses, reputational damage, or setbacks in progress.
For example, if a severe thunderstorm causes significant damage to a property, it can be said that the storm "took a bite out of the house." This means that the storm caused substantial harm to the structure, resulting in a portion being damaged or destroyed.
Similarly, in the context of finances, if a company incurs unexpected expenses that greatly reduce its profits, it can be said that these expenses "took a bite out of the company's earnings." This implies that the unexpected costs significantly diminished the company's profitability.
Overall, the phrase "took a bite out of" is a metaphorical expression used to describe the extent of damage or loss suffered by something or someone through an event or action.
