The meaning:
It means someone has completely depleted someone else's resources, leaving them with nothing. It suggests a level of financial ruin, possibly due to:
* Excessive spending: The person may have been extravagant or irresponsible with their money.
* Debt: They might have taken on too much debt and are now unable to pay it back.
* Theft or robbery: Someone may have stolen from them, leaving them destitute.
Usage:
The phrase is often used metaphorically to describe someone who has drained you of your resources, be it money, time, or emotional energy.
Origin:
While Shakespeare didn't directly say "hath eaten me out of house and home," the idea appears in many of his works. For instance, in *The Merry Wives of Windsor*, Falstaff uses a similar phrase: "I have spent more than I have earned."
So, "hath eaten me out of house and Shakespeare" would be a playful spin on the original phrase. It implies that someone has used up all the money and resources that might have been used to purchase a Shakespearean play.