PhrasesHub

The more the merrier

    Definitions

      • Encourage participation
        Expressing that a greater number of people or things involved in an activity or situation will make it more enjoyable, exciting, or successful

      • Increase quantity or abundance
        Suggesting that having more of something will make it better or more desirable, often used in a lighthearted or joking manner

      • Inclusion and diversity
        Emphasizing the positive impact of having a diverse group of people or things, promoting the idea that differences can lead to a more vibrant and enjoyable experience

    Examples of The more the merrier

    • Sarah invited her friends over for a dinner party, and the more the merrier.

      This idiom means that having more people present is better or more enjoyable. In this case, Sarah wants to have a fun and lively dinner party, and she believes that having more guests will make the event more enjoyable for everyone.

    • The company's profits have been increasing, and the more the merrier.

      This idiom can also be used in a business context to mean that the more successful the company becomes, the better it is for everyone involved, such as the shareholders, employees, and customers.

    • The school's open house event was a huge success, and the more the merrier.

      This idiom can also be used to describe events or situations where having more people present is beneficial, such as a school open house event, where having more parents and students attending can help to promote the school and its programs.

    • The charity's fundraising event was a huge success, and the more the merrier.

      This idiom can also be used to describe events or situations where having more people present can help to raise more money or awareness for a cause, such as a charity fundraising event.

    • The family's holiday gathering was a huge success, and the more the merrier.

      This idiom can also be used to describe social events or gatherings, where having more people present can make the event more enjoyable and festive, such as a family holiday gathering.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "the more the merrier" is commonly used to encourage participation and emphasize the positive effects of increasing quantity or diversity. It conveys the idea that having more people or things involved in a situation can make it more enjoyable, successful, or desirable.

    In social situations, the idiom can be used to encourage others to join in and participate, suggesting that a larger group will make the experience more fun and lively. In business or academic settings, it can be used to promote the idea of diversity and inclusion, highlighting the benefits of having a variety of perspectives and ideas.

    Overall, the idiom conveys a positive and lighthearted tone, often used in a playful or jovial manner to encourage others to join in or to express excitement about the potential for more of something.

    Origin of "The more the merrier"

    The origin of this idiom is believed to come from a 14th century English poem called "The Assembly of Gods" by John Gower. In the poem, the line "the more the merrier" is used to describe a gathering of people celebrating a wedding. This line became popularized and has since been used in various contexts to express the idea of more being better.

    Another theory suggests that the idiom originated from the saying "the more the merrier, the fewer the better," which was used in the 16th century to mean that the more people present in a social event, the less work and responsibility for each person.

    Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom has become a popular phrase in the English language, used in both formal and informal settings to convey the idea of more being better.