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REFERENCE

pave the road to hell

idiom
Meaning

To lead to a disaster by acting with good intentions.


Origin

disputed origin

From the proverb the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Examples
SIMPLE

Good intentions often pave the road to hell.

CONTEXTUAL

He tried to help his friend, but his interference only paved the road to hell.

COMPLEX

While the policy was designed to foster equality, its unintended consequences paved the road to hell for the local economy.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all hell breaks loose

    The situation becomes chaotic or characterized by conflict or rage.

  2. 02

    bump in the road

    A setback or obstacle, especially one which is relatively minor.

  3. 03

    catch hell

    To be severely reprimanded, punished, or beaten.

  4. 04

    cold day in Hell

    The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.

  5. 05

    come hell or high water

    Regardless of the hardships; no matter what difficulties may arise.

  6. 06

    down the road, not across the street

    Of the technique for committing suicide, along the radial artery rather than across the wrist from side to side.

  7. 07

    forty minutes of hell

    The NCAA strategy of playing a suffocating full-court press and aggressive offense for the entirety of a game.

  8. 08

    frog

    [Cockney slang]road

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