An awkward person who actually does not care about the delicate situation, a rough person who comes near the brittle things, an insensitive person who makes people angry with his/her deeds and words to create disturbance in their work or plans

Etymology:

  • This expression was first used by Aesop, the famous earliest teller of tales. He wrote a story about a donkey in a potter’s shop. Late in 16th century, when the china plates and dishes were introduced in Europe, people started using this expression ‘bull in a china shop’. However, the reason behind changing the subject ‘donkey’ into ‘bull’ could be the size of bull that is bigger than donkey because it can create mass disturbance.
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Inviting Andre in your ice sculpture exhibition is like letting bull in a china shop.

Submitted on February 25, 2019

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    "Bull in a China Shop." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/bull-in-a-china-shop_44518>.

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