out-paramour the Turk

idiom

Meaning

To have many romantic affairs.

Origin

disputed origin

Uttered by the character Edgar in Shakespeare's King Lear (see quote). Likely a reference to one of various Ottoman Sultans (often referred to as the Grand Turk) famous for their large harems, or to the more general practice of polygyny associated with Islam.

Examples

SIMPLE

He really likes to out-paramour the Turk.

CONTEXTUAL

Everyone in the village knows that he loves to out-paramour the Turk with his constant string of secret romances.

COMPLEX

The scandalous nobleman seemed determined to out-paramour the Turk, leaving a trail of broken hearts across every capital in Europe.

Anchors to

Turk

Related idioms1entry

01
young Turk
A young person who agitates for political or other reform; a young person with a rebellious disposition.

Last updated April 17, 2026