PhrasesHub

Green eyed monster

    Definitions

      • Jealousy/envy
        To describe a feeling of resentment or envy towards someone else's possessions, achievements, or relationships, often leading to negative actions or behavior.

    Examples of Green eyed monster

    • His jealousy was a green-eyed monster that consumed him.

      This example is using the idiom "the green-eyed monster" to mean jealousy. The phrase "green-eyed monster" is being personified as something that can consume a person, which is a figurative way of saying that jealousy can be all-consuming and overwhelming.

    • She couldn't help but feel a green-eyed monster when she saw him flirting with another woman.

      In this example, the phrase "green-eyed monster" is being used to describe the feeling of jealousy that the speaker is experiencing. It is still being personified, as if jealousy is a physical thing that can be felt inside the body.

    • The green-eyed monster reared its ugly head again when he found out about her previous relationships.

      This example is personifying jealousy as an entity that can reappear, and even does so in an unpleasant and unwelcome way. It's a creative way of expressing the idea that jealousy is something that can be difficult to get rid of, and can resurface after it seems to have gone away.

    • I tried to ignore the green-eyed monster that gnawed at my insides, but it was too powerful to ignore.

      In this example, the phrase "green-eyed monster" is being used as a metaphor for the uncomfortable feeling of jealousy, which is being compared to something inside the body that is causing discomfort. The use of "gnawed" gives the impression that jealousy is a physical sensation that can be felt deep within the body.

    • His success has become a green eyed monster that jealousy consumes me inside out.

      In this example, "green eyed monster" is used as a metaphor for jealousy, which is consuming the speaker from the inside out due to another person's success.

    • Her beautiful smile is my green eyed monster as I can't help but compare myself to her.

      Here, the phrase "green eyed monster" is used to describe feelings of jealousy and insecurity, specifically in regards to another person's positive qualities.

    • The green eyed monster of pride threatened to destroy my relationship when I couldn't bear to hear my partner's successes.

      "Green eyed monster" is being employed in this instance to represent the envy caused by pride, which can negatively impact relationships and self-perception.

    • The comparison game is a green eyed monster that so often damages our self-confidence and our relationships with others.

      In this last example, "green eyed monster" is used figuratively to describe how the habit of comparing oneself to others can cause destructive feelings of jealousy and adversely impact one's self-esteem.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "green eyed monster" is most commonly used to convey the concept of jealousy or envy. It suggests that these emotions can consume a person like a monster, often causing them to act out in negative ways. This idiom is often used to warn against the dangers of succumbing to jealousy and the negative consequences it can bring.

    In some contexts, the idiom can also be used to describe a person who is jealous or envious. For example, "She turned into a green eyed monster when she saw her friend's new car." This usage implies that the person's jealousy has transformed them into a monster-like state, causing them to behave irrationally.

    Origin of "Green eyed monster"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to Shakespeare's play Othello, where the character Iago states, "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on." This line suggests that jealousy is a destructive force that consumes and mocks its own source.

    The color green has long been associated with envy and sickness. In ancient Greek mythology, the goddess Hera was often depicted with green eyes, representing her jealousy towards her husband Zeus' many affairs. This association of green with jealousy and envy likely influenced the use of the color in the idiom "green eyed monster."

    Overall, the idiom "green eyed monster" is a vivid and powerful way to describe the destructive nature of jealousy and envy. Its origins in literature and mythology add depth and richness to its meaning and usage.