monkey's paw
A situation in which a wish or desire has been fulfilled, but at significant cost or…A situation in which a wish or desire has been fulfilled, but at significant cost or with ironic, usually unfavourable consequences.
Значение
значений: 2(атрибутивное, идиома, обычно)A situation in which a wish or desire has been fulfilled, but at significant cost or with ironic, usually unfavourable consequences.
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see monkey, paw.
Происхождение
From the 1902 short story "The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs, in which a mummified monkey'From the 1902 short story "The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs, in which a mummified monkey's paw is enchanted to grant a family three wishes, but with terrible consequences for them. Popularised by a segment based on Jacobs' story in the 1991 episode "Treehouse of Horror II" of the American animated sitcom The Simpsons.
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