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flea in the jar

refers to futility

Etymology:

  • The origin of this expression lies in the story of a flea in the jar who repeatedly bangs it's head against the lid to get out. The flea finally stops. Once that happens it is said that the flea will still not try to get out of the jar because it has learned it is futile to try.
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I may as well start interviewing for another job. I've been up for promotion and been passed over so many times that I'm just a flea in the jar at this point.

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Submitted by TriplePurple on December 03, 2023

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to flea in the jar

catch someone with one's hand in the co…flea in one's earwith one's hand in the cookie jarcaught with one's hand in the cookie jar

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