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

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

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2022

One of the nation’s best aerial games will make mincemeat of CU’s porous pass defense.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 17, 2022

It would be nice to finish putting by the mincemeat before the snow came for good.

From "Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson