What does “Poisoned chalice” mean?
"Poisoned chalice" means a situation or opportunity that appears desirable but is actually harmful or dangerous.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He thought becoming the CEO of the company would be a great opportunity, but it turned out to be a poisoned chalice.
Example
The promotion seemed like a dream come true, but it quickly became a poisoned chalice as the workload became overwhelming.
Example
She thought winning the lottery would solve all her problems, but it turned out to be a poisoned chalice as she faced constant requests for money from friends and family
Is “Poisoned chalice” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Poisoned chalice” 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 “Poisoned chalice” effectively in context?
You can use "Poisoned Chalice" to describe a situation or opportunity that initially seems appealing but turns out to be detrimental. Here are three distinct situations where you can use this phrase:
- 1Career
He thought becoming the CEO of the company would be a great opportunity, but it turned out to be a poisoned chalice as he faced constant pressure and criticism.
- 2Promotion
The promotion seemed like a dream come true, but it quickly became a poisoned chalice as the workload became overwhelming and led to burnout.
- 3Financial Windfall
She thought winning the lottery would solve all her problems, but it turned out to be a poisoned chalice as she faced constant requests for money from friends and family.
Similar phrases to “Poisoned chalice”:
Trojan horse
Something that appears harmless or beneficial but contains hidden dangers or malicious intent
Example
The seemingly innocent email turned out to be a Trojan horse that infected the computer with malware.
Fool's gold
Something that appears valuable or promising but is actually worthless or deceptive
Example
The investment scheme promised high returns, but it turned out to be fool's gold.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Poisoned chalice” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Poisoned Chalice" can be traced back to medieval times. In those days, it was a common practice for kings and nobles to test the loyalty of their servants by offering them a drink from a chalice. If the servant survived the drink, it meant they were loyal. However, if the drink was poisoned, it would be a fatal test. Over time, the phrase evolved to represent a situation or opportunity that appears desirable but is actually harmful or dangerous.
Is “Poisoned chalice” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Poisoned Chalice" is a well-known expression in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe situations where something that seemed good at first turns out to be harmful or dangerous.
What tone does “Poisoned chalice” have?
"Poisoned Chalice" conveys a tone of disappointment and caution. It is often used to express a sense of betrayal or disillusionment when something that was expected to be positive turns out to have negative consequences.
Can “Poisoned chalice” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Poisoned Chalice" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile expression that conveys the idea of a deceptive situation or opportunity. You can use it in everyday 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 is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The job seemed like a great opportunity, but it turned out to be a poisoned chalice.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'It's a poisoned chalice!' to imply that something initially appealing is actually harmful or dangerous.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- deceptive opportunity
- harmful illusion
- dangerous facade
- false promise
- ill-fated venture
Antonyms
- golden opportunity
- blessing in disguise
- safe bet
- fortunate turn of events
- positive outcome
