PhrasesHub

Bed of roses

    Definitions

      • a difficult or challenging situation
        Describing a situation that is not easy or pleasant, often used in a negative context to emphasize the struggles and obstacles one may face.

      • a comfortable and luxurious lifestyle
        Referring to a life of ease and indulgence, usually used in a sarcastic or ironic way to suggest that the reality is not as perfect as it may seem.

      • a pleasant and peaceful state
        Describing a situation that is calm and peaceful, often used to contrast with a difficult or chaotic experience. Can also be used to describe a perfect or ideal situation.

      • false promises or illusions
        Referring to a situation or idea that seems attractive or desirable but is actually deceptive or misleading.

    Examples of Bed of roses

    • Mary's first year of marriage was not a bed of roses at all. She fought with her husband over everything from what to eat to what color to paint the living room. She felt like she was in a constant state of chaos and misery.

      Bed of roses is a metaphor used to describe a peaceful and beautiful situation. In this example, it is being used in the opposite context, to describe a situation that is far from perfect. Mary's first year of marriage was not peaceful at all, but rather full of conflict and unhappiness.

    • Starting a new business can be a bed of roses at times. The moment you think you've figured it all out, a new issue arises. From dealing with difficult clients to meeting payroll, running a business can be a challenging experience.

      Bed of roses is being used here to illustrate that starting a new business can be full of unexpected challenges. Just as a bed of roses often hides thorns, starting a new business can be full of hidden difficulties and obstacles.

    • Despite the long hours and high pressure work environment, Jane loved her job. She knew that it wasn't a bed of roses, but she was passionate about what she did and the company she worked for.

      Bed of roses is being used figuratively to explain that Jane's job was not an easy or stress-free position. By using the phrase "it wasn't a bed of roses," it shows that Jane understood that the job could have its rough patches, but she still enjoyed it and was willing to work through the challenges.

    • The company's recent merger was far from a bed of roses. Employees were forced to work long hours and take on additional responsibilities as the two companies were integrated. It was a challenging time for all involved, but ultimately, the merger was a success.

      Bed of roses is being used here to illustrate that the merger was not an easy process. By using the phrase "far from a bed of roses," it shows that there were many obstacles and challenges that needed to be overcome during the merger. However, the success at the end of the process is a positive sign, suggesting that the "bed of roses" is finally in sight.

    • She thought marriage would be a bed of roses, but reality was too harsh to handle.

      This idiom means that the person believed marriage would be a pleasurable experience, but eventually, she encountered issues that became overwhelming.

    • Dealing with sick children is not a bed of roses, and the change in their behavior could get overwhelming at times.

      This idiom highlights that dealing with sick children is not an easy task, and it becomes challenging when their behavior changes, making it challenging to handle.

    • Running a business can be like walking on a bed of roses, where everything seems to go smoothly at times, but it could become complicated when unexpected challenges arise.

      This idiom implies that while running a business may seem straightforward at times, unexpected issues can arise, similar to encountering thorns in a bed of roses.

    • Although he was a successful entrepreneur, starting a new business was not a bed of roses, and he had to work through challenging times.

      This idiom means that starting a new business posed challenges for the entrepreneur, but through hard work and perseverance, he was able to build it into a successful venture.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "bed of roses" is commonly used to convey a variety of meanings, all of which revolve around the idea of a seemingly ideal or pleasant situation that is not as perfect as it may appear. It can be used to describe a difficult or challenging situation, a comfortable and luxurious lifestyle, a peaceful and calm state, or false promises and illusions.

    In all of these uses, the idiom serves as a reminder that things are not always as they seem and that there is often a hidden struggle or challenge behind a seemingly perfect facade. It can also be used to caution against being too quick to judge or idealize a situation, as it may not be as rosy as it appears.

    Origin of "Bed of roses"

    The origin of the idiom "bed of roses" can be traced back to a poem written by 17th century English poet Christopher Marlowe called "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love." In the poem, the speaker promises his love a life of luxury and comfort, including a bed of roses. However, the reality of this promise is questioned in a satirical response poem by Sir Walter Raleigh called "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd." In this poem, the speaker highlights the false promises and illusions of the original poem and suggests that a bed of roses may not be as desirable as it seems.

    Over time, the phrase "bed of roses" became a popular idiom in English language, often used in literature and everyday speech to convey a similar meaning of false promises or illusions. Today, it continues to be used in various contexts to describe both positive and negative situations, but always with a hint of skepticism or caution.