ENGLISH
REFERENCE

not grow on trees

idiom
Meaning

To be rare, not abundant, not easily acquired.


Examples
SIMPLE

Good jobs do not grow on trees these days.

CONTEXTUAL

You should save your money because opportunities like this do not grow on trees.

COMPLEX

He realized that genuine talent and dedication do not grow on trees, so he worked hard to keep his best employees.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    absence makes the heart grow fonder

    One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.

  2. 02

    bark up the wrong tree

    To take the wrong approach to a situation; to follow a false lead; to attempt to solve a problem using mistaken assumptions about its true nature.

  3. 03

    charm the birds from the trees

    To behave in a very charming manner.

  4. 04

    Christmas tree bill

    A bill consisting of many riders that attracts many, often unrelated, floor amendments, which may provide special benefits to various groups or interests.

  5. 05

    dead tree edition

    The physical, printed version of a publication.

  6. 06

    fall out of the ugly tree and hit every branch

    To become extremely unattractive.

  7. 07

    fruit of the poisonous tree

    Evidence that has been obtained as the result of an illegal act on the part of law enforcement personnel (such as an unlawful warrantless search, or continued questioning of a witness who has invoked the right of counsel), and which is therefore excluded from being admitted as evidence in a trial.

  8. 08

    go climb a tree

    Go away; a rude dismissal.

Last updated April 17, 2026