Familiarity breeds contempt

Idioms are generally defined as groups of words that form a meaningful whole when they come together, even though the words in them do not make sense on their own. They have produced many idioms according to their own cultural characteristics in communities using the English language. What does Familiarity breeds contempt mean? In what situations is Familiarity breeds contempt used?

Meaning of "Familiarity breeds contempt"

Meaning

The phrase “Familiarity breeds contempt” is an idiom that suggests that excessive closeness and too much contact with a person or thing can lead to an averse or negative opinion, or even disdain, for that person or thing. That is, over time seeing or experiencing too much of something can wear away the enchantment, leading to feelings of contempt instead.

Etymology

This idiomatic phrase originated in the 14th century, first appearing as a proverb in 1380 in John Lydgate’s writings. The phrase referred to the idea of frequenting someone too often, leading one to be overly focused on their faults and shortcomings, rather than their qualities and attractive traits. The phrase was later popularized in 1546 in the writings of the English poet and playwright Thomas Nashe.

Usage

This idiom can be used to describe a wide range of situations, from relationships to business or political connections. It can also be used to warn of the dangers of becoming too close to someone or something, and it can be used to predict the likelihood of a negative opinion or feeling arising from familiarity. It is also often used to represent the idea that over-familiarity causes people to take one another for granted, no longer paying attention to the effort one puts in to maintain a relationship or situation.

Example Sentences

• “I think I've been seeing my friend too often; familiarity is beginning to breed contempt.”
• “I don't think our relationship will last much longer if we don't start making an effort - familiarity breeds contempt, after all.”
• “He thought he knew everything about the company, but familiarity breeds contempt, and it all came crashing down.”

From One Language to Another: Idioms in Translation

Translating idioms from one language to another can be a tricky task, as the cultural context behind an idiom can be difficult to capture. For example, the French phrase "avoir le cafard" translates to "to have the cockroach," which means to feel down or depressed. Similarly, the Chinese idiom "????" (j?ng d? zh? w?) translates to "frog at the bottom of a well," which refers to someone with a narrow view of the world.