TT #21 · Parashas Vayeira · Passuk 18:8
He took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set them before them; and he stood over them under the tree, and they ate.
Torah Temimah points to Bava Metzia 86b. E-Daf · Sefaria — Bava Metzia 86b
TT lemma: ויאכלו.
“And they ate.” Do you really think they ate? Rather, say: it appeared as though they ate and drank.
Derash on the verse (Bavli sugya) — not a formal named middah of the 13. The verb is understood as describing an appearance rather than actual consumption.
The angels did not truly eat; the verse means that it appeared as though they ate and drank, preserving both the narrative and the nature of angels.