22 Useful Fruit Idioms
Food is an important part of people's daily lives, so it is not surprising that food also makes up a big part of people's daily conversations and expressions.
In this post, we take a look at some of the more common idiomatic phrases that are derived from fruits.
To compare apples and oranges – to compare things that are very different.
Example: “You can't compare your job as a doctor to mine as a musician—that's comparing apples and oranges!”
The apple of one’s eye – something or someone very precious or dear.
Example: “She was fond of all her dogs, but little Bella was the apple of her eye.”
The apple never falls far from the tree – used to say that children are usually similar to their parents. Often used negatively or ironically.
Example: “He's a fool, just as his father was - the apple never falls far from the tree."
One bad apple spoils the (whole) bunch – it only takes one bad person, thing, policy, etc, to ruin an entire group, project, situation, etc.
Example: "I really loved my job, but there was this one jerk there who made life miserable for everyone. One bad apple spoils the whole bunch, unfortunately."
A bad apple/rotten apple – someone who does bad things and influences other people so that they do bad things too.
Example: “All of the students are well behaved apart from one bad apple who likes to stir up trouble in the class.”
To go bananas – to become extremely angry or excited.
Example: “He'll go bananas when you tell him the news.”
Top banana – the most powerful or important person in a group or organization.
Example: “He's been top banana at this company for over 20 years.”
To cherry-pick – to select the best or most desirable.
Example: “The company cherry-picked the best employees in the area.”
To pop (one's) cherry – to do something for the first time / (vulgar slang) to have sexual intercourse for the first time.
Example: “I bought my friend a voucher for her birthday so she could pop her cherry sky diving."
The cherry on the cake – the final thing that makes something perfect.
Example: “The festival was amazing, but the beautiful weather was the cherry on the cake.”
Sour grapes – if you describe someone's behavior or opinion as sour grapes, you mean that that person is angry because they have not got or achieved something that they wanted.
Example: “These accusations have been going on for some time now, but it is just sour grapes.”
To hear (sth) through the grapevine - to hear news from someone who heard the news from someone else.
Example: “I heard through the grapevine that she is pregnant - is it true?”
Other fruit Idioms
A peach – if someone is a peach, he or she is a very nice person.
Example: “Thank you for helping me clean up that mess, you’re a peach!”
Go pear-shaped – if a plan goes pear-shaped, it goes wrong or fails.
Example: “He feared that his plans to attend a top university had gone a bit pear-shaped.”
To not give a fig – (old fashioned) to not be at all worried by or interested in something.
Example: “I don't give a fig what other people think.”
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade – (proverbial) focus on the good in a bad situation and take action accordingly - or make the most of a bad situation.
Example: “I know that you are upset about losing your job, but now is the perfect time to start your own business like you've always wanted to do. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!”
Idioms with the word fruit
To bear fruit – If something is bearing fruit, it is having a successful result.
Example: “The new website design has already started to bear fruit.”
Fruitcake – a crazy or eccentric person.
Example: “My teacher is a bit of a fruitcake.”
Forbidden fruit – something, especially something sexual, that is even more attractive because it is not allowed.
Example: “He was always drawn to other men's wives - the forbidden fruit.”
Low hanging fruit – A thing or person that can be won, obtained, or persuaded with little effort.
Example: "We're a small company with few assets, so to succeed in the short term, we need to go after the low-hanging fruit first."
The fruit(s) of one's labour – the benefits of one's hard work.
Example: "Retirement is the time to enjoy the fruits of your labours."
The fruit(s) of one's loins – (humorous) one's child, children, or descendants.
Example: "You may be the fruit of my loins, but that doesn't mean I have to look after you all my life!"
Can you think of any more fruit based idioms, or would you like to practice making your own sentences using any of these idioms? Leave a comment below...
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