What Does "Monkey's Paw" Mean?
"Monkey's paw" is an English idiom. It means "an object or factor that offers a person a wish but comes with unforeseen consequences." It is based on a story by W.W. Jacobs where a talisman grants wishes but with terrible consequences.Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "monkey's paw" used in a sentence:- Winning the lottery seemed great at first, but it turned out to be a monkey's paw.
- Be careful what you wish for; you don't want a monkey's paw situation.
- His desire for power became a monkey's paw when he realized the sacrifices he had to make.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Monkey's Paw" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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