Mess of Pottage

What Does "Mess of Pottage" Mean?
"Mess of pottage" is an English idiom. It means "something of little value given up for something of great value." It is derived from Esau's Biblical story where he sold his birthright for a meal (pottage).Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "mess of pottage" used in a sentence:- He sold his ancestral home for a mere mess of pottage.
- Giving up your principles for temporary gains is like trading your birthright for a mess of pottage.
- Some believe he gave up his integrity for a mess of pottage.
A Quick Test
You now know what "mess of pottage" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!
Gold

Silver

Bronze
- This test has questions.
- A correct answer is worth 5 points.
- You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
- Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
- Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
- 🏆 If you beat one of the top 3 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?