# fickle mistress

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/fickle-mistress
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Synonym of cruel mistress.

## Examples

- Success is a fickle mistress.
- The stock market is a fickle mistress that can ruin your savings overnight.
- The artist often remarked that inspiration was a fickle mistress, appearing only when he least expected it and vanishing without warning.

## Origin

From fickle + mistress.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.