English idiom

a bull in a china shop

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

A clumsy person who causes damage or upset in a delicate situation.

Why this phrase?

A heavy bull among fragile porcelain would smash everything.

Example

“He handled the negotiations like a bull in a china shop.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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