- Meaning
- This idiom describes a situation or plan going wrong or failing unexpectedly, as if taking the distorted shape of a pear instead of a desired form. It conveys mishap or disaster, often used in informal, professional, or personal contexts to depict things unraveling. The phrase carries a tone of humor, resignation, or surprise, reflecting cultural values of adaptability and the human tendency to face setbacks. Its fruit imagery evokes a comical distortion, resonating in scenarios like botched projects or events. The idiom captures unexpected failure, making it a quirky metaphor for things going awry.
- Origin
- The phrase likely originated in mid-20th-century Britain, possibly tied to Royal Air Force slang for aircraft loops going wrong, resembling a pear’s shape, as noted in military memoirs. Its earliest recorded use appears in *The Guardian* (1960s), describing a failed plan. The idiom gained traction in the 1980s, amplified by British comedies like *Only Fools and Horses*. Its adoption, primarily in the U.K. and Australia, stems from its whimsical imagery and applicability to mishaps, with limited U.S. use.
- Variants
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- Gone pear-shaped
- Go pear shaped
- Went pear-shaped
- Examples
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- The party went pear-shaped when the power went out.
- Gone pear-shaped, the deal collapsed at the last minute.
- Things go pear shaped when you don’t plan properly.
- Went pear-shaped, their presentation was a total mess.
- It all went pear-shaped after the main speaker canceled.
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