PhrasesHub

Lions led by donkeys

    Definitions

      • criticize ineffective leadership
        To express disapproval of a situation where capable or strong individuals are being led by incompetent or foolish people

      • contrast in competence
        To emphasize the stark difference in capability or intelligence between the leaders and the followers in a particular situation

    Examples of Lions led by donkeys

    • The military strategy put in place during the Battle of Passchendaele was a prime example of lions led by donkeys.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where capable and intelligent individuals are being led by incompetent leaders, often with disastrous consequences. In the case of the Battle of Passchendaele, which took place during World War I, the British Army, made up of highly skilled soldiers, were led by inexperienced and ill-prepared senior officers, resulting in enormous loss of life for little gain.

    • The CEO's decision to downsize the company without a clear plan in place was another instance of lions led by donkeys.

      Idiomatic expressions serve as condensed and vivid ways to convey complex ideas. In this case, the idiom lions led by donkeys is used to imply that a charismatic and able-bodied team is being led by a weak or unimaginative leader, resulting in mistakes or disastrous outcomes. The use of the phrase "lions led by donkeys" puts into perspective the improbability of capable individuals being commanded by donkeys, underscoring the absurdity of such a scenario.

    • The final decision to ban the cause was a blatant example of lions led by donkeys.

      Idioms can be used to add colour and descriptive elements to writing. In this instance, lions led by donkeys is used to portray an action that seems opposite to the context; where skilled and talented people are led by incompetent or inexperienced leaders. The use of this idiom amplifies the sense of dissatisfaction felt by the author towards the action being described.

    • The political crisis in the country had become an instance of lions led by donkeys.

      In this situation, the idiom lions led by donkeys is used to illustrate the negative impact of inadequate leadership on the course of events. As intelligent and capable individuals are being led by weak or ignorant leaders, maximum potentials would either go a waste or remain underutilized. These examples highlight the importance of strong and competent leadership, as such individuals help to maximize the potentials of their teams, thus helping the teams achieve optimal results.

    • Despite their vast experience and impressive resumes, the senior executives at our company have been making some questionable decisions lately, leading the organization astray like lions led by donkeys.

      The idiom "lions led by donkeys" refers to a situation where strong and capable individuals are being misguided or poorly led by weak or ineffective leaders. It originated during World War I, where the British army, led by inexperienced officers, suffered heavy losses, and was a criticism of the military leadership at the time. In our example, the expression is used to convey the idea that although the senior executives may possess the necessary skills and talent, they are being guided poorly, leading to suboptimal outcomes.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "lions led by donkeys" is often used to criticize ineffective leadership or to highlight a contrast in competence. It is typically used in situations where capable individuals are being led by incompetent or foolish leaders, emphasizing the stark difference in capability or intelligence.

    Origin of "Lions led by donkeys"

    The phrase "lions led by donkeys" originated during World War I, specifically in reference to the British army. The "lions" represented the brave and courageous soldiers, while the "donkeys" symbolized the incompetent and out-of-touch leadership. The phrase gained popularity as a way to express the frustration and disapproval of the soldiers towards their leaders, who they felt were sending them into battle without proper strategy or support.

    The origin of the idiom reflects the historical context of its usage, but it has since evolved to be used in a variety of situations where there is a clear disparity in competence between leaders and followers. Its powerful imagery continues to resonate in contemporary discussions of leadership and competence.