Where did the phrase "throw out the baby with the bathwater" come from?
The phrase "throw out the baby with the bathwater" is an idiom that means to reject something completely, even if it includes some good parts. The phrase originated from an ancient Greek fable in which a careless nursemaid threw out the baby along with the bathwater.
The story goes that a nursemaid was bathing a baby in a large tub of water. While she was distracted, the baby slipped out of her hands and fell into the water. In a panic, the nursemaid quickly grabbed the baby and threw it out of the tub, along with the dirty bathwater.
The phrase "throw out the baby with the bathwater" has been used for centuries to describe the folly of rejecting something completely, even if it contains some good parts. The phrase is often used in situations where someone is making a hasty decision or is not thinking clearly.
Related Questions
What does the idiom "throw out the baby with the bathwater" mean?
- It means to reject something completely, even if it includes some good parts.
Where did the phrase "throw out the baby with the bathwater" come from?
- It originated from an ancient Greek fable in which a careless nursemaid threw out the baby along with the bathwater.
Why is the phrase "throw out the baby with the bathwater" still used today?
- It is still used because it accurately describes the folly of rejecting something completely, even if it contains some good parts.
Can you give an example of how the phrase "throw out the baby with the bathwater" is used?
- "The company decided to throw out the baby with the bathwater by firing all of its employees, even the ones who were doing a good job."
What is another idiom that has a similar meaning to "throw out the baby with the bathwater"?
- "Cutting off your nose to spite your face."
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