pack on (the) pounds

idiom

chiefly US, informal
: to gain weight or a certain amount of weight
Americans are continuing to pack on the pounds.
He hopes to pack on 20 pounds of muscle before the competition.

Examples of pack on (the) pounds in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Switching to water, unsweetened coffee or tea, or sparkling water with a splash or juice could reduce these health risks. Sodas and other sugary drinks don’t just pack on the pounds. Don Rauf, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Oct. 2024 At that waterfall, bears gorge on salmon to pack on the pounds in order to prepare for hibernation. Erin Donaghue, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024 Often, post-rut elk want to pack on the pounds and will linger longer on food sources. Jace Bauserman, Field & Stream, 22 Feb. 2024 In the fall, bears must consume about 20,000 calories per day to pack on the pounds to get them through the winter, when food is scarcer, according to Game & Fish. Bears hibernate in Arizona from November to March, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 24 June 2023 These foods are all high in protein and calories, and will help your dog pack on the pounds in no time. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2022 Smaller bears, like females and young adults, cannot pack on the pounds like Chunk because dominant male bears push them out of the best fishing spots. Emily M. Eng, Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2022 As winter approaches, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is reminding residents of best practices as bears look to pack on the pounds before settling down for winter. Seamus McAvoy, courant.com, 26 Nov. 2021 Dozens of brown bears congregate at Brooks Falls to gorge themselves on salmon and pack on the pounds before their long winter naps. Angela Owens, WSJ, 23 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pack on (the) pounds.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near pack on (the) pounds

Cite this Entry

“Pack on (the) pounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pack%20on%20%28the%29%20pounds. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!