PhrasesHub

Shakespeare - Phrases coined by William Shakespeare

    Definitions

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

      • express disbelief or skepticism
        Express doubt about the truth or validity of something

    Examples of Shakespeare - Phrases coined by William Shakespeare

    • "All's well that ends well"

      This idiom originated from Shakespeare's play "All's Well That Ends Well" and means that as long as a situation turns out favorably in the end, everything is considered to be okay. It implies that the outcome is more important than the process or journey to get there.

    • "Break the ice"

      This idiom comes from Shakespeare's play "The Transposed Heads", in which he wrote, "I'll crack the ice, and make thee welcome". It means to initiate a social or professional interaction by doing or saying something to ease the tension or discomfort that may exist at the beginning of the relationship or interaction.

    • "In a pickle"

      This idiom is thought to have originated from Shakespeare's play "The Taming of the Shrew" in which Lucentio suggests to his servant, "Get thee to the kitchen, and find me out a quart of rascalls and a pint of vinegar, and let it frost a little". This is interpreted as meaning for the rascalls to ferment until they become pickled or preserved, and in a wider sense, it means to be in a difficult or complicated situation, or a state of confusion.

    • "As busy as a bee"

      This idiom appears in Shakespeare's play "The Winter's Tale", when Leontes says, "I am as busy as the century". This is interpreted as being as productive and active as the modern century itself, which is an era typically characterized by great activity and productivity, and in a more specific sense, it implies being as energetic and industrious as a bee in its frenzied activity and work.

    • "All's well that ends well" (Meaning: If a situation ends in a favorable way, it is considered a success, despite any difficulties encountered along the way.)

      This is one of Shakespeare's most famous phrases, coined in his play "All's Well That Ends Well." The phrase has been adopted into everyday English to indicate that as long as a situation ends in a positive outcome, any problems encountered in the process are forgivable.

    • "Break the ice" (Meaning: To initiate communication or ease social tension in a new or unfamiliar situation.)

      This idiom stems from Shakespeare's play "The Taming of the Shrew", where Petruchio advises his servant to "break the ice" between himself and his future wife, Katherina, in order to initiate a courtship. The phrase has come to represent the idea of breaking down barriers, both physical and social, in order to create a more comfortable and communicative environment.

    • "Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?" (Meaning: To request that someone identify themselves as the true and authentic version of themselves, as opposed to an imposter or fraud.)

      Although this phrase is not from Shakespeare's plays, it is a reference to the character "Slim Shady" in Eminem's song of the same name. The phrase has become a popular cultural idiom, where the request is made to differentiate between multiple people who may claim to be the same person or entity.

    • "The weariness is the garment of the mind" (Meaning: The feeling of exhaustion or mental fatigue is a temporary state that can be overcome.)

      This phrase is from Shakespeare's play "Measure for Measure". It is used to describe mental weariness as a temporary state, much like a garment can be taken off and put back on. The phrase is often used to encourage persistence and resilience, despite feelings of exhaustion or fatigue.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "Shakespeare - Phrases coined by William Shakespeare" can be used to discourage someone from doing something, or to express disbelief or skepticism about a statement or claim.

    Origin of "Shakespeare - Phrases coined by William Shakespeare"

    The idiom "Shakespeare - Phrases coined by William Shakespeare" refers to the many phrases and idioms that were first used by the famous playwright William Shakespeare in his plays and writings. Shakespeare is known for his rich and inventive use of the English language, and many of the expressions and sayings that he coined have become ingrained in the language and are still used today.

    Shakespeare's works, such as "Hamlet," "Macbeth," and "Romeo and Juliet," are filled with timeless phrases and idioms that have become part of everyday speech. Some examples of these include "break the ice," "wild-goose chase," and "heart of gold." Shakespeare's influence on the English language is so significant that many of his phrases have become idiomatic expressions that are used without even realizing their origin.