English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Out of the frying pan into the fire
Meaning
The idiom "out of the frying pan into the fire" means to leave a difficult or uncomfortable situation and enter another that is even more difficult or unpleasant. It suggests that one has been trapped or in danger, and in trying to escape, they find themselves facing something worse.
Usage
- After years of struggling with her addiction, Sarah finally decided to seek help. But when she entered the rehab center, she realized that her problems were far from over. She was surrounded by addicts who had hit rock bottom and were now fighting their way out. Out of the frying pan into the fire.
- John's boss had been pushing him to take on more responsibilities, but he knew he wasn't qualified enough to handle them. So when his team leader quit, he thought it would be an opportunity to prove himself. He took over, but quickly realized that he was even more overwhelmed than before. Out of the frying pan into the fire.
- Mary had been working at the same job for ten years, but recently, her workload had tripled. She felt like she was drowning in tasks and deadlines. But when her manager retired, she thought it would be a chance to finally move on to another company where things were more manageable. Instead, she found herself working under someone even more demanding. Out of the frying pan into the fire.
- The pandemic had hit the travel industry hard, but now that restrictions were easing up, Sarah was excited to plan her next trip. But when she started searching for flights, she saw how expensive they were. She realized she had traded one problem for another. Out of the frying pan into the fire.
- After years of living with his abusive husband, Rachel finally found the courage to leave him. But when she filed for divorce, she discovered that her husband's family was still very involved in her life. She thought she had escaped one toxic situation only to find herself in another. Out of the frying pan into the fire.
Roots and History
The phrase "out of the frying pan into the fire" has been in use since at least the Middle Ages, and its origin can be traced back to a parable told by Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew, 13:42-43. In this passage, Jesus warns that some people who have fled from persecution will fall into worse difficulties when they try to escape. The frying pan represents the difficulty or danger one is trying to leave, and the fire represents something even more difficult or dangerous. Over time, the idiom has evolved to refer to any situation where one tries to escape only to find themselves in a more challenging or unpleasant one. It's often used to describe a person who thought they were making a change for the better but ended up finding themselves stuck in a worse situation.
Synonyms in English
- From bad to worse
- From frying pan to fire
- From devil to devil
- From one dilemma to another
- From one disaster to another
Synonyms in other languages
- 火中Fire (Japanese) - This phrase has a similar meaning and is often used in Japanese literature and poetry. It describes the feeling of being trapped or in danger and trying to escape only to find oneself in a worse situation.
- 罪恶之中Evil deeds (Arabic) - This phrase refers to leaving an evil situation but finding oneself in another that is even more dangerous or harmful. It's often used in Islamic literature and philosophy.
- 溃壂的中Breakdown (Spanish) - This phrase describes a person who has failed to escape from a difficult situation and ends up in a state of breakdown or collapse. It's often used in Spanish literature and psychology.
- 逝绍的中The fleeting moment (Chinese) - This phrase refers to leaving one moment of happiness only to find oneself in another that is fleeting and disappointing. It's often used in Chinese literature and poetry.
- 迷失的中Lost and found (French) - This phrase describes a person who has tried to escape from a difficult situation but ends up lost or confused. It's often used in French literature and philosophy.