primrose


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lead (one) down the primrose path

To encourage one to lead a life of pleasure and leisure that is ultimately negative or detrimental in some way. After winning the lottery, Jake found himself surrounded by people trying to lead him down the primrose path for their own benefit. The famous singer was led down the primrose path to a life of substance abuse.
See also: down, lead, path, primrose

the primrose path

A life of pleasure and leisure that results in a negative or detrimental outcome. Usually used in the phrase "lead (one) down the primrose path." After winning the lottery, Jake found himself surrounded by people trying to lead him down the primrose path for their own benefit.
See also: path, primrose
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

primrose path

Fig. earthly delights that come to an end. She led him down the primrose path until she got tired of him.
See also: path, primrose
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

the primrose path

the pursuit of pleasure, especially when it is seen to bring disastrous consequences.
The allusion here is to ‘the primrose path of dalliance’ to which Ophelia refers in Hamlet.
See also: path, primrose
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

the primrose ˈpath (to ruin, destruction, etc.)

(literary) an easy life that is full of pleasure but that causes you harm in the end: If we followed your advice we’d all be walking down the primrose path to ruin.This phrase comes from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet.
See also: path, primrose
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

primrose path, the

The way of easy self-indulgence. Shakespeare used this term in two ways—as a path of pleasure (“the primrose path of dalliance,” Hamlet, 1.3) and as an easy but dangerous course of action (“the primrose way to the everlasting bonfire,” Macbeth, 2.1). The former meaning survives in the current cliché. See also garden path.
See also: primrose
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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References in periodicals archive ?
This transaction represents Primrose's first securitization.
Primrose will provide a picnic area and serve light refreshments.
Describing the moment Primrose was given the diagnosis, Tim said: "It was like just watching a bombshell explode and everything we knew being torn apart.
Describing the moment Primrose was given the diagnosis, he said: "It was like just watching a bombshell explode and everything we knew being torn apart.
Describing the moment Primrose was given the diagnosis, he says: "It was like just watching a bombshell explode and everything we knew being torn apart.
The defendants CareMed and the driver did not dispute liability but did not agree that Primrose's pain stemmed from injuries sustained in the crash.
Until the day she died, Primrose would go into the garden and talk with Nezmiss, but he would run when her husband came out.
Women operate many schools in the Primrose franchise system.
At Marriott, Primrose will have the responsibility for protecting and promoting the image and reputation of the company in partnership with the organisation's leadership, having accountability for all communications and government affairs.
It's also great to see our native primrose emerge on roadside embankments in hues of pale, creamy yellow.
The wild primrose has to be my favourite but there are hundreds of cultivars and selections to grace our gardens in every colour of the rainbow.
LE MANS NEIL PRIMROSE, drummer from the band Travis, visited Anglesey Circuit last Wednesday to test his Lola T-210 in preparation for this week's Le Mans Classic.
In this sequel to the Newbery Honor Book Everything on a Waffle, Primrose Squarp's wish to have a best friend appears to be answered when the quiet, hulking Ked shows up at her former foster parents' trailer.
The New England Primrose Show runs from noon to 5 p.m.