He hopes to shake the pagoda tree with his new business idea.
shake the pagoda tree
idiomTo find a source of easy enrichment; to become absurdly rich in a short time period.
Origin
first recorded 19th c.The pagoda was a gold coin used in the Madras Presidency until 1818.
Many young investors move to the city hoping to shake the pagoda tree, but few actually find such easy wealth.
While some entrepreneurs spend their entire careers building steady value, others seem to shake the pagoda tree through sheer luck and timing.
- 01
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.
- 02
brace of shakes
A very short time.
- 03
charm the birds from the trees
To behave in a very charming manner.
- 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.
- 05
dead tree edition
The physical, printed version of a publication.
- 06
fair shake
Reasonable, unbiased treatment; a fair deal.
- 07
fall out of the ugly tree and hit every branch
To become extremely unattractive.
- 08
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.
Last updated April 17, 2026