The phrase “a bull in a china shop” refers to someone who is extremely clumsy. China dishes are fragile, beautiful, and delicate items, and bulls are large and unpredictable. So, you can imagine what might happen if a bull got into a china shop! There would likely be mayhem everywhere, and lots of broken china dishes.
Additionally, at times the phrase can mean someone who does not understand the value of things around them. A bull going into a China shop would not comprehend that China would be delicate and expensive.
The idiom is often spoken as “like a bull in a China shop.”
Origins of the Phrase “A Bull In A China Shop”
The exact origins of this colloquial phrase have been lost, but there are a few theories. First, some believe it may come from Aesop’s fables. These fables come from a figure from Ancient Greek history, Aesop. It’s questioned whether or not he existed, whether or not he wrote the tales himself, and what he looked like. Most people believe that he simply wrote down stories that had been passed down by word of mouth. One of Aesop’s fables is about a donkey in a pottery shop, which is a similar analogy to a bull in a china shop.
The phrase as we know it today was first seen in political cartoons in the 1800s. Some people place the 1834 novel Jacob’s Faithful by Frederick Marryat as the first place this phrase was seen in writing.
“A Bull In a China Shop” in Other Languages
There are similar idioms in other languages, but they are slightly different. They may have originated from the same fable. For example, in the French language, the phrase translates to “Like an elephant in a porcelain shop.” In Danish, it’s “Like an elephant in a glass shop.”
The phrase “bull in a china shop” is similar to the French idiom “like an elephant in a porcelain shop” and the Danish idiom “like an elephant in a glass shop.”
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Examples of Everyday Use of “A Bull In a China Shop”
You would use this phrase anytime you meet someone who is clumsy, or not the most graceful. This can be physical or proverbial. If you see someone who is always knocking things over, you could call them a bull in a china shop. However, you might say someone who is not delicate with their words and tends to hurt people’s feelings often is a proverbial bull in a china shop.
A Useful Way to Illustrate “A Bull In a China Shop”
The following is a fictional scenario that helps you to imagine when you might use this phrase.
Imagine that you are working in a restaurant as a server. Your coworker is always bumping into people, dropping plates, and causing the kitchen to have to re-cook meals. They are losing the restaurant a lot of money. One day you come in and your coworker is no longer there. You ask your boss where your coworker is, and your boss says: “We had to let them go. They were a real bull in a china shop. They should work somewhere that it doesn’t matter if you drop something!”
A Real-Life Example From ‘Variety’
In 2015, the famous actress Lily Tomlin starred in a movie called Grandma. She played the main character, Elle Reid, who is a headstrong and quick-witted grandmother who isn’t afraid to say what is on her mind. A review of the movie from the magazine Variety described this character as a bull in a china shop because she has quite a temper and isn’t afraid to say what she thinks, which tends to upset the people around her who have more sensitive dispositions. This is an example of using the phrase in a proverbial, not literal way.
Possible Pros and Cons of Using the Phrase “A Bull In a China Shop”
This phrase is not exactly flattering. If you use it to be about someone, then you might need to prepare yourself for them to be upset with you. Most people would not want to be called this.
On the other hand, it is a good phrase to describe someone who is clumsy, whether that is physically or emotionally, so it can be good to use, as long as you are aware of its offensive potential.
Additionally, due to the size of a bull, some people might consider this phrase to be a statement about someone’s size. Some people might take offense to that aspect of it as well.
Similar Phrases to “A Bull In a China Shop”
There are a few similar idioms to “a bull in a China shop.” They have similar, but not exactly the same meanings.
- Two left feet.
- All thumbs.
- Ham-fisted.
Up Next:
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- A Bird In The Hand: Meaning & Origin Revealed
The photo featured at the top of this post is © BENJAMIN MEDINA/Shutterstock.com
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What does the phrase "a bull in a China shop" mean?
The phrase “a bull in a China shop” refers to someone who is extremely clumsy. China dishes are fragile, beautiful, and delicate items, and bulls are large and unpredictable.
The phrase can also mean someone who does not understand the value of things around them. A bull going into a China shop would not comprehend that China would be delicate and expensive.
Where did the phrase "a bull in a China shop" originate?
The exact origins of this colloquial phrase have been lost, but there are a few theories. First, some believe it may come from Aesop’s fables. One of Aesop’s fables is about a donkey in a pottery shop, which is a similar analogy to a bull in a China shop.
Some people place the 1834 novel Jacob’s Faithful by Frederick Marryat as the first place this phrase was seen in writing.
What phrases have a similar meaning to "a bull in a China shop"?
There are a few similar idioms to “a bull in a China shop” including:
- Two left feet.
- All thumbs.
- Ham-fisted.
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