The bigger they are the harder they fall

Meaning

The idiom "the bigger they are, the harder they fall" is often used to describe how people or things that are powerful or dominant can still fail or experience a setback. The phrase suggests that even those who seem invincible can be brought down by their own weaknesses or mistakes.

Usage

• "The bigger the company, the harder it falls when its stock price drops." - This sentence suggests that larger corporations are more vulnerable to financial difficulties than smaller ones.
• "He's a great athlete, but he's not immune to injuries. The bigger his physique, the harder he falls." - In this context, the idiom implies that even physically strong individuals can experience setbacks due to their own limitations.
• "She's been a successful actress for years, but her latest project has been a flop. Even her fame couldn't protect her from failure." - Here, the phrase emphasizes that even those with significant accomplishments can still fail in their endeavors.
• "The bigger the vehicle, the harder it is to maneuver on narrow roads." - This sentence uses the idiom in a more literal sense, but it still conveys the idea that larger objects can be more difficult to control than smaller ones.
• "He's always been confident in his abilities, but when faced with criticism, he crumbles. The bigger his ego, the harder he falls." - In this context, the idiom implies that overconfidence can lead to failure, even for those who seem self-assured.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "the bigger they are, the harder they fall" is uncertain. However, it has been in use since at least the 19th century. One possible explanation is that the phrase comes from the world of sports or athletics, where larger athletes may be more vulnerable to injury or defeat due to their own limitations. Another theory suggests that the idiom has its roots in the financial industry, where larger companies may be more exposed to economic downturns and market fluctuations.

Synonyms in English

• "The larger the fish, the easier it is to catch." - This idiom suggests that even large or powerful entities can still be vulnerable to external forces.
• "You can't judge a book by its cover." - This phrase emphasizes that appearances can be deceiving, and that even those who seem invincible may have hidden weaknesses or vulnerabilities.
• "The higher you climb, the harder you fall." - This idiom uses a similar structure to suggest that success can often come at a cost, and that even those who achieve great heights may still experience setbacks or failures.
• "The bigger the risk, the greater the reward." - This phrase suggests that taking risks can lead to both rewards and failure, regardless of one's size or power.
• "The bigger the challenge, the greater the satisfaction." - This idiom emphasizes that facing difficult tasks can be rewarding, even if they seem overwhelming at first.

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "El mayor el cayo más grande" - This phrase has a similar structure to the English idiom and conveys the same meaning.
• French: "Le plus grand le tombeur" - This idiom emphasizes the idea that even those who are powerful or influential can experience setbacks.
• Italian: "Il più grande il caduto" - This phrase uses a similar structure to suggest that even larger entities may be vulnerable to external forces.
• German: "Die größeren stürzen besser und schneller." - This idiom emphasizes the idea that taking risks can lead to both rewards and failure, regardless of one's size or power.
• Russian: "Большие падения богут совершаться с большими высот" - This phrase uses a similar structure to suggest that even those who are powerful or influential may experience setbacks due to their own limitations.

Similar Idioms

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• time and again