From pillar to post

Meaning

The idiom "from pillar to post" means that someone is constantly moving around or changing places rapidly, without any clear purpose or direction. It can also indicate a lack of stability or continuity in one's life.

Usage

• She had been job hopping from pillar to post for the past year, never staying in one place for more than six months.
• The company was going through tough times, and many employees were being laid off from pillar to post.
• After years of traveling from pillar to post as a freelancer, he finally settled down in a small town where he could put down roots.
• My friend's love life has been nothing short of chaotic - she's been dating from pillar to post for the past six months.
• The politician was known for his shady dealings and had been investigated from pillar to post by different agencies. The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context, but it generally implies a lack of stability or continuity in one's life. It can also suggest that someone is constantly moving around without any clear purpose or direction.

Roots and History

The origin of this idiom is not entirely clear, but it has been in use since at least the 18th century. One theory suggests that it comes from a children's game where players have to run from pillar to post while being chased by an opponent. Another theory connects the phrase to the medieval practice of posting notices on pillars or other public buildings to advertise goods or services. Over time, the idiom has come to be used more broadly to describe someone who is constantly moving around or changing places rapidly without any clear purpose or direction.

Synonyms in English

• here and there
• hither and thither
• on and off
• all over the place
• to and fro

Synonyms in other languages

• French: de place en place
• German: von Stelle zu Stelle
• Spanish: de sitio en sitio
• Italian: da luogo in luogo
• Russian: от места к месту

Similar Idioms

• flesh and blood

• hit the road

• fall out