English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Familiarity breeds contempt
Meaning
The idiom "familiarity breeds contempt" means that when someone becomes too familiar with someone or something, they start to dislike or despise them more. It suggests that when we get used to something, we can become less appreciative of it and even begin to disrespect it.
Usage
- "After spending a few weeks living with his in-laws, John grew tired of their constant nagging and began to resent them." (The in-laws were too familiar to him)
- "I used to love playing basketball, but after years of practicing it every day, I became bored and stopped enjoying it." (Basketball was too familiar to him)
- "Sarah's ex-boyfriend was once her best friend, but their friendship grew distant when he started dating her sister." (The ex-boyfriend was too familiar to Sarah's sister)
- "I used to admire the work of famous artist Picasso, but after seeing too many of his paintings, I felt like I had seen it all before." (Picasso's work was too familiar to him)
- "I don't trust people who are overly familiar with me. They usually have something they want from me." (Too much familiarity breeds contempt)
Roots and History
The idiom "familiarity breeds contempt" dates back to the 17th century. The first known use of the phrase can be traced back to John Donne's poem "Song" in 1633, where he wrote: "Familiarity breeds contempt, and contempt breeds ruin." The phrase has evolved over time to take on a more negative connotation. Today, it is often used to imply that someone has become too complacent or entitled, and has lost their initial appreciation for something.
Synonyms in English
- "Familiarity breeds dislike"
- "Familiarity breeds boredom"
- "Familiarity breeds indifference"
- "Familiarity breeds neglect"
- "Familiarity breeds detachment"
Synonyms in other languages
- French: Familiärheit züchtigt Veracht (Familiarity disciplines contempt)
- German: Familiärkeit züchtigt Veracht (Familiarity disciplines contempt)
- Italian: Familiarità sviluppa disgusto (Familiarity develops disgust)
- Spanish: Familiareszca desprecio (Familiarity breeds contempt)
- Russian: Наиболее близкое дружба злоупотребляется (The closest friendship is the most abused)