whet one's appetite

Idioms  

1. Arouse one's interest or eagerness, as in That first Schubert piece whetted my appetite; I hope she sings some others. This idiom, first recorded in 1612, transfers making one hungry for food to other kinds of eagerness.

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Example Sentences

The anatomy of Tipton-Martin’s cookbook weaves through one that might be familiar to anyone who has had to conceptualize a meal from beginning to end — light bites or appetizers to whet one’s appetite, hot or cold drinks with alcohol or sans; soups and salads, main entrees; meat, seafood and sweet treats to wrap up the meal.

From Seattle Times

Looking like something died atop two pucks of fried goat cheese, petals of shriveled beet chips do little to whet one’s appetite.

From Washington Post

But whether to whet one’s appetite for the show or just to savor the genius of the protean Guinness, it would be no crime to also take in “Kind Hearts and Coronets,” which is available on DVD and streaming platforms.

From Seattle Times

Don’t hide, nor keep your shops closed, as that would only whet one’s appetite for mischief.

From Project Gutenberg

You will presently discover, my dear, that youth is only an ingenious prologue to whet one's appetite for a rather dull play.

From Project Gutenberg