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

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

I’m cutting pieces for / A hot stew or / Perhaps a British mincemeat pie Don’t look too hard, but you won’t need to / They say carrots help you see at night Oh, snap!

From Washington Post • Sep. 22, 2022

The house was festive, and we were surrounded by the aroma of mincemeat and sweet potato pies cooking in the oven.

From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals