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sour grapes

A putting down or expression of disdain about something that one desires but cannot have.

Etymology:

  • From Aesop's fable The Fox and the Grapes, in which a fox, unable to reach grapes it is seeking, convinces itself that they must have been unripe all along and so not worthwhile trying for in the first place.
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I think his comments about that new car are just sour grapes because he can't afford it.

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Submitted on September 01, 2009

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to sour grapes

leave a sour taste in one's mouththe grapes are sour anywaysour notesour stomachpeel grapessour cherrysour cherrysour cherry

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