PhrasesHub

Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door

    Definitions

      • innovation and success
        Encouraging someone to come up with a unique and improved idea or solution, suggesting that it will attract attention and bring success

      • fame and recognition
        Implying that success and recognition will follow if one creates something that is highly sought after and needed

    Examples of Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door


      Conclusion

      This idiom is often used to inspire and motivate individuals to think outside the box and strive for better results. It emphasizes the importance of innovation and how it can lead to success, fame, and recognition. It also implies that creating something that meets a specific need or solves a problem can have a significant impact and attract attention.

      Origin of "Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door"

      The origin of this idiom can be traced back to a quote by American philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson in the late 19th century. He stated, "If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, though he builds his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door."

      The phrase became popularized and evolved into the commonly used idiom we know today. It highlights the idea of creating something that is not only innovative but also highly effective and sought after. The image of a mousetrap in this saying represents a simple and common object, but with the potential for improvement and success.