Sour grapes meaning and usage

Meaning 1：pretended disdain (Sour grapes)

Sour grapes 🔊

/ˌsaʊər ˈɡreɪps/

n.phr.

It describes the act of pretending something you can't have is not actually good or desirable, just because you can't get it.

Cartoon fox walking away from grapes saying they are sour

pretended disdain 🔊

➕

/prɪˈtɛndɪd dɪsˈdeɪn/

n.phr.

The act of pretending something one cannot have is undesirable, as a way to save face or avoid disappointment.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Sour' from Old English 'sūr'; 'grapes' from Old French 'grape' meaning bunch of grapes.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a fox saying 'Those grapes are sour' after failing to reach them. Think of 'sour' as the excuse for not getting what you want.

📖 Example

After losing the competition, John said the prize was cheap anyway, which was just sour grapes. 🔊 After losing the competition, John said the prize was cheap anyway, which was just sour grapes.

🔗 Collocations

sour grapes attitude – an attitude of pretending disdain for something unattainable

dismiss as sour grapes – to reject someone's criticism as being driven by envy

a classic case of sour grapes – a typical example of rationalizing failure by belittling the goal

🔄 Synonyms

rationalization (n.) – the act of justifying undesirable behavior or feelings with logical reasons

self-deception (n.) – the act of deceiving oneself about one's true feelings or motives

🚫 Antonyms

acceptance (n.) – the act of acknowledging and embracing reality without denial

gratitude (n.) – a feeling of appreciation for what one has, rather than resentment for what one lacks

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Aesop's fable 'The Fox and the Grapes', where a fox unable to reach grapes claims they are sour. Now describes rationalizing unattainable desires.