PhrasesHub

Pears for your heirs

    Definitions

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

      • prioritize for the future
        Encourage someone to think about the long-term and prioritize activities or decisions that will benefit future generations or heirs

    Examples of Pears for your heirs

    • She saved up all her money and bought some pears for her future children, saying, "One day, my heirs will inherit these delicious pears and I'll no longer be the pear queen!"

      This idiom is used to represent actions or belongings that are being saved for future generations. The phrase "pears for your heirs" means that the person is holding onto something valuable or useful for their children or grandchildren to inherit. In this example, the woman is accumulating pears for her future offspring to enjoy as an inheritance, just as one might accumulate wealth or valuable possessions for their heirs.

    • She's saving up pears specifically for her grandchildren as a healthy inheritance.

      This expression means offering something valuable and beneficial to one's heirs or future generations as a legacy. It originated in the 17th century when pears were considered a delicacy and a symbol of wealth and prosperity. In this example, the speaker is indicating that the person being described is intentionally stockpiling pears for her grandchildren in the future, implying that her grandchildren will inherit a healthy and nutritious legacy.

    • The CEO announced that the company would be gifting each employee a basket of pears as a retirement benefit, citing it as "pears for your heirs."

      Here, the CEO is using this idiomatic expression to convey the idea that providing their employees with a valuable gift as a retirement benefit will serve as a small inheritance for their heirs, showing that the company cares about the future of its employees' families after they retire.

    • Despite the fact that pears are hardly a rare or expensive commodity anymore, some people still use the phrase "pears for your heirs" to express their hope that their children or future generations will benefit from their savings, investments, and possessions.

      In this instance, the speaker is acknowledging that the literal meaning of the expression has become somewhat outdated, but the figurative meaning of leaving behind something valuable and helpful for future generations remains relevant.

    • During a sales pitch, the real estate agent assured the potential buyers that the house came with not only a lot of storage space but also an abundance of fruit trees, including plenty of pears for their heirs.

      The real estate agent is using this expression to emphasize the long-term benefits of purchasing the property. Not only will the buyers enjoy the perks of the house now, but they'll also have the added advantage of passing on a property with fruit trees that can yield a long-standing source of nourishment for their descendants. The usage of the expression here helps persuade the potential buyers that the property is a wise investment with lasting benefits for multiple generations.

    • She invested all her savings in a pear orchard, hoping to leave a profitable legacy for her children.

      The idiom "pears for your heirs" refers to leaving behind a valuable or profitable inheritance for one's children. This example shows how the idiom can be used in the context of making a financial investment with the intention of benefitting future generations.

    • He spent years collecting antique pears, building a collection that he hoped would one day be worth a fortune and passed down to his descendants.

      In this example, the idiom "pears for your heirs" can be interpreted more literally, as the man in question is amassing a collection of valuable pear antiques with the intention of leaving them to his heirs.

    • The businessman poured all his time and resources into developing a line of pear-flavored products, hoping that it would become a family dynasty that would be passed down through the generations.

      This example shows how the idiom "pears for your heirs" can be applied to a business context. The businessman is working to create a successful, profitable enterprise that he hopes will continue to be successful and lucrative for his family long after he is gone.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "pears for your heirs" can be used to discourage someone from engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit. It can also be used to encourage someone to think about the long-term and prioritize activities or decisions that will benefit future generations or heirs.

    Origin of "Pears for your heirs"

    The origin of the idiom "pears for your heirs" is unclear, but it likely stems from the idea of planting fruit trees, such as pears, that will benefit future generations. The idiom emphasizes the importance of thinking about the future and making decisions that will have a positive impact on descendants. It may also play on the similarity in sound between "pears" and "prepare," suggesting that one should prepare for the future by making wise choices. The idiom is often used to convey the idea of prioritizing long-term benefits over short-term gains. For example, someone might use the idiom to advise against wasting resources on immediate gratification and instead focus on investments or actions that will benefit future heirs.