ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grapes of wrath

idiom
Meaning

A symbol of impending vengeance, especially in reference to the Last Judgment.


Origin

disputed origin

Derived from a passage in the Biblical book of Revelation.

Examples
SIMPLE

The workers felt the grapes of wrath after the unfair pay cuts.

CONTEXTUAL

As the government ignored the starving citizens, the grapes of wrath began to grow among the restless crowd.

COMPLEX

The long history of exploitation finally reached a breaking point, and the people gathered, carrying the grapes of wrath toward the palace gates.

Anchors to
Related idioms1entry
  1. 01

    sour grapes

    Things that somebody pretends to despise because they cannot obtain or have them.

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