forbidden fruit

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

something made more tempting by being off-limits or socially taboo

Word picture

A desirable piece of fruit is pictured as off-limits and therefore more tempting.

Example

“Once the school banned the game, it became forbidden fruit for many students.”

Dictionary details

Component words

forbidden fruit

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

low-hanging fruit Informal · CEFR B2

the easiest, quickest wins available

blow off steam Informal · CEFR B1

to release pent-up energy or emotion through some activity

cut loose Informal · CEFR B1

to abandon restraint and behave freely or wildly

drive someone up the wall Informal · CEFR B1

to make someone feel extremely annoyed or frustrated

fall in line Neutral · CEFR B1

to obey or accept the rules and expectations set by a group or authority

get on someone's nerves Neutral · CEFR B1

to repeatedly irritate or annoy someone

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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