Meaning
« The Grass Is Greener On The Other Side » est une expression anglaise qui signifie que les choses semblent toujours meilleures ailleurs. Cela reflète une tendance humaine à penser que ce que l'on ne possède pas est souvent plus désirable que ce que l'on a déjà. Cette expression est souvent utilisée pour souligner une insatisfaction face à sa propre situation, en imaginant que d'autres options ou chemins mènent à un bonheur ou à une réussite plus grande.
Par exemple, quelqu'un pourrait penser que changer de travail rendrait sa vie professionnelle plus satisfaisante, ou qu'un déménagement dans un autre pays apporterait plus de bonheur. Cependant, l'expression nous rappelle que cette vision peut être trompeuse, car les nouvelles situations ont aussi leurs propres défis et inconvénients. Ainsi, « The Grass Is Greener On The Other Side » nous invite à apprécier ce que nous avons plutôt que de toujours chercher quelque chose de mieux ailleurs.
Example
We had a beautiful marriage but I guess he wanted to explore if the grass was greener on the other side.
I thought I loved studying literature but I needed to know if the grass was greener on the other side. After graduation, I started my career in music and have won numerous awards.
It seems like his high paying job wasn't enough. I guess greed made him think that the grass would be greener on the other side by stealing other peoples' money.
I moved away from my city in hopes that the grass would be greener on the other side.
Quiz
What is an Idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that usually presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase. Idioms are not just used in conversations – they're also very common in literature, movies, and music. We utilize them to convey a message in a concise and effective manner, and often have deep cultural or historical significance. They help to create a vivid and memorable image in the minds of the audience.
Idioms are difficult because they do not mean what they literally state. Communication challenges emerge when you translate an idiom in your language; it will not make sense or if it does make sense you may miss the intended meaning.
How to Study Idioms
- Read them. Read books, newspapers, magazine articles, online articles for exposure in written material.
- Watch them. Watch TV shows and movies in English! There are so many streaming services available for you to choose from. Listen attentively and try to understand the context in which they are used.
- Use them. Talk to native speakers and try to incorporate common idioms into your conversations. Try using them during conversations with friends, family, coworkers, or through text.
- Practice. Practice. Practice. Remember that you can't learn all of them! So start with a few that you understand and build your library of idioms from there!
