mincemeat

American  

[mins-meet] / ˈmɪnsˌmit /

noun

1. a mixture composed of minced apples, raisins, currants, candied citron, suet, etc., originally and traditionally also containing meat, for filling a pie.

2. meat that is ground up or cut in very small pieces.

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idioms

1. make mincemeat of, to destroy utterly.

   He made mincemeat of his opponent's charges.

mincemeat British  

/ ˈmɪnsˌmiːt /

noun

1. a mixture of dried fruit, spices, etc, used esp for filling pies

2. minced meat

3. informal to defeat completely

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mincemeat More Idioms  

1. see make mincemeat of.

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Etymology

Origin of mincemeat

First recorded in 1655–65; mince + meat

Example Sentences

Three years ago, despite being heavily outspent, Mejia made political mincemeat of Paul Koretz, who had held elected office since before he was born.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2025

Mr. Christie first ran for president in 2016, a year that made mincemeat of quite a few Republicans seen as rising stars in the party, and he was no exception.

From New York Times • Jun. 6, 2023

A franchise once known for its inevitable victories — 24 straight to open its 73-win campaign in 2015-16 and a 16-1 jaunt through the 2017 postseason — now regularly looked like mincemeat.

From Washington Post • Apr. 15, 2023

The filling is called "mincemeat" even though it's made out of fruits and nuts like raisins and almonds.

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2022

“Yes. He is. And that human made mincemeat of him. This entire situation could be wrapped up if it wasn’t for your department’s incompetence.”

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer