bull in a china shop (like a)
Definition
Bull in a china shop (like a) - Similar to using a sumo wrestler for ballet, a person who is clumsy and likely to break things through careless or awkward movements.
🎭 Related Terms
- Like a fish out of water: Someone who is in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable situation.
- Elephant in the room: An obvious problem or issue that no one wants to discuss.
- Like dynamite in a fireworks factory: Absolutely prone to causing chaos and destruction.
😄 Humor Filled Quotes
- “I’m not clumsy. The floor just hates me, the table and chairs are bullies, and the walls get in my way.” —Unknown
- “Handling my antique teacups is tantamount to a bull leading a ballet of baby giraffes.” —R. McStumbles
📚 Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies
- Literature: “Jacob Faithful” by Frederick Marryat—The first known use of this idiom.
- Books: “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Etiquette” by Mary Mitchell—for tips on avoiding bull-like behavior.
- Movies: “Mr. Bean” series—Watch as Mr. Bean navigates intricate situations with clumsy precision.
- Songs: “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus—a musical equivalent.
🧠 Proverbs and Common Phrases
- Proverb: “You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.” —Acknowledging collateral damage is sometimes inevitable.
- Phrase: “Walking on eggshells” —Trying to be very careful.
Inspirational Farewell
Remember, life’s delicate moments require the finesse of a ballet dancer more than the exuberance of a bullish stampede. Embrace grace, but laugh at the clumsy moments—they make for the best stories!
### Which literary work is credited with the first known use of the phrase "bull in a china shop"?
- [x] "Jacob Faithful" by Frederick Marryat
- [ ] "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
- [ ] "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
- [ ] "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift
> **Explanation:** Frederick Marryat's novel "Jacob Faithful" is credited with the earliest known use of the phrase "bull in a china shop."
### This idiom is used to describe a person who is:
- [x] Clumsy and awkward
- [ ] Extremely sneaky
- [ ] Very polite
- [ ] Ambitious
> **Explanation:** A "bull in a china shop" refers to someone who is clumsy and awkward, not someone who is sneaky or polite.
### What is a synonym for "bull in a china shop"?
- [ ] Stealth like a ninja
- [x] Like dynamite in a fireworks factory
- [ ] Sitting like a king
- [ ] Delicate as a flower
> **Explanation:** "Like dynamite in a fireworks factory" is a synonym, as it conveys a similar idea of impending destruction due to carelessness.
### Which movie character famously embodies the "bull in a china shop" idiom?
- [ ] James Bond
- [ ] Harry Potter
- [x] Mr. Bean
- [ ] Sherlock Holmes
> **Explanation:** Mr. Bean, with his frequent clumsy antics, perfectly embodies the "bull in a china shop" idiom.
### True or False: The phrase "like a bull in a china shop" is of ancient Chinese origin.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False. While the idiom involves China, it is not of ancient Chinese origin. The most accepted theory is that it originated in 19th-century British literature.
