What does “Out of the frying-pan into the fire.” mean?
"Out of the frying-pan into the fire" means if you escape from a difficult or dangerous situation, but end up in an even worse situation, it is better to stay in the original situation rather than taking the risk of making things worse.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He thought quitting his job would solve all his problems, but he quickly realized that out of the frying-pan into the fire. His new job was even more stressful.
Example
She thought breaking up with her boyfriend would bring her happiness, but she soon found herself in an abusive relationship. Out of the frying-pan into the fire.
Example
They thought moving to a new city would give them a fresh start, but they ended up in a neighborhood with even higher crime rates. Out of the frying-pan into the fire
Is “Out of the frying-pan into the fire.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Out of the frying-pan into the fire.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Out of the frying-pan into the fire.” effectively in context?
You can use "Out of the frying-pan into the fire" to describe a situation where someone escapes from a difficult or dangerous situation, but ends up in an even worse situation. It emphasizes the idea that sometimes it's better to stay in the original situation rather than taking the risk of making things worse. For example, if a friend is considering leaving their current job because they find it challenging, you might say, 'Be careful, you don't want to jump out of the frying-pan into the fire.'
- 1Relationships
She thought breaking up with her boyfriend would bring her happiness, but she soon found herself in an abusive relationship. Out of the frying-pan into the fire.
- 2Career
He thought quitting his job would solve all his problems, but he quickly realized that out of the frying-pan into the fire. His new job was even more stressful.
- 3Moving
They thought moving to a new city would give them a fresh start, but they ended up in a neighborhood with even higher crime rates. Out of the frying-pan into the fire.
Similar phrases to “Out of the frying-pan into the fire.”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Out of the frying-pan into the fire.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Out of the frying-pan into the fire" is unknown.
Is “Out of the frying-pan into the fire.” common in everyday conversation?
"Out of the frying-pan into the fire" is a well-known proverb and is commonly used in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe situations where someone's attempt to improve their circumstances leads to an even worse outcome.
What tone does “Out of the frying-pan into the fire.” have?
"Out of the frying-pan into the fire" conveys a tone of caution and warning. It's often used to advise against taking unnecessary risks or making hasty decisions without considering the potential consequences.
Can “Out of the frying-pan into the fire.” be used in informal and formal settings?
"Out of the frying-pan into the fire" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a widely recognized proverb that conveys the idea of being cautious and thoughtful in decision-making. You can use it in conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional writing.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She thought she could find a better job, but she ended up out of the frying-pan into the fire.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'Looks like you jumped out of the frying-pan into the fire!' to imply that someone made a bad decision.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- from the sublime to the ridiculous
- from the frying pan into the flame
- from the fire into the frying pan
- from the fire into the flame
- from the frying pan into the fire
- from the fire into the fire
Antonyms
- out of the fire into the frying pan
- into the frying pan from the fire
- into the fire from the frying pan
- into the flame from the fire
- into the fire from the fire
