English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Too close for comfort
Meaning
The idiom "too close for comfort" means a situation or person that is uncomfortable or unsettling due to being too close or intimate with someone, place, or thing. It suggests a feeling of unease or discomfort caused by a proximity that goes beyond what is desired or necessary.
Usage
- I felt too close for comfort when my ex-girlfriend unexpectedly showed up at my workplace.
- The new roommate's constant intrusion into my personal space made me feel too close for comfort.
- Despite his flirtatious behavior, the colleague's behavior was too close for comfort during our business meeting.
- I couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched and judged when the neighbor's dog barked loudly outside my window.
- The creepy old man's conversation and his gaze were too close for comfort, and I felt uneasy throughout the night.
Roots and History
The origin of the idiom "too close for comfort" dates back to the 16th century in English literature, where it was used to describe a situation or person that caused discomfort due to their proximity. The earliest known use of this idiom can be found in William Shakespeare's play "Henry IV, Part 2," in which Prince Harry describes the feeling of being watched by his enemies as "too close for comfort." Over time, the idiom has taken on a more figurative meaning and is now used to describe a wide range of situations that cause discomfort or unease.
Synonyms in English
- Too intimate
- Too personal
- Too close-knit
- Too cozy
- Too friendly
Synonyms in other languages
- German: "zu nah" - This idiom is similar in meaning and means a situation or person that is too close or intimate, causing discomfort or unease.
- French: " trop proche" - This idiom has the same meaning as the English version and suggests a feeling of closeness that goes beyond what is desired or necessary.
- Spanish: "demasiado cercano" - This idiom means a situation or person that is too close or intimate, causing discomfort or unease.
- Italian: " troppo vicino" - This idiom has the same meaning as the English version and suggests a feeling of closeness that goes beyond what is desired or necessary.
- Dutch: "te veel bij elkaar zijn" - This idiom means a situation where two people are too close or intimate, causing discomfort or unease.