sour grapes

Also found in: Idioms, Wikipedia

0.02 sec.

sour grapes

pl.n.

Denial of the desirability of something after one has found out that it cannot be reached or acquired: The losers' scorn for the award is pure sour grapes.

sour grapes

(functioning as singular) the attitude of affecting to despise something because one cannot or does not have it oneself

[from a fable by Aesop]

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun

sour grapes - disparagement of something that is unattainable

derogation, disparagement, depreciation - a communication that belittles somebody or something

How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.

?Page tools

Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email

Feedback
Add definition

? Mentioned in

? References in classic literature

depreciation
derogation
disparagement

grape
sour

"No, 'tisn't sour grapes," answered Captain Jim seriously.

Anne's House of Dreams by Montgomery, Lucy Maud View in context

What mean ye by saying that the poor ye have always with you, or that the fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?

Walden & on the Duty of Civil Disobedience by Thoreau, Henry David View in context

More results

Dictionary/thesaurus browser

? Full browser

sour bread
sour cherry
sour cherry tree
sour cream
sour dock
sour fig
sour gourd
sour grapes
sour grass
sour gum
sour mash
sour mash whiskey
sour milk
sour orange
Sour plum

Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations

Free Tools:	For surfers: Free toolbar & extensions \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup \| Partner with us

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.