apple of discord

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A cause of dispute, strife, or rivalry: The phrase "apple of discord" refers to a subject, issue, or object that causes jealousy, argument, or conflict among a group of people. Its origin is in classical mythology, where a single golden apple inscribed "for the fairest" sparked a dispute among goddesses, ultimately leading to the Trojan War.
Usage
  • The term is used as a singular noun phrase, typically preceded by the article "an" or "the." It describes the central point of contention in a situation.
  • It often implies that the conflict arises from envy, pride, or competition over something desirable.
Examples
  • Noun:
    • The inheritance from their wealthy uncle became an apple of discord among the siblings.
    • The vacant leadership position was the apple of discord that divided the once-unified committee.
Advanced Usage
  • "to throw/cast an apple of discord": To deliberately introduce a contentious issue to create division.
    • The politician was accused of throwing an apple of discord into the debate to distract from the main issue.
Variants and Related Words
  • Bone of contention (noun phrase): A subject or issue over which there is ongoing disagreement. (This is a more common, non-mythological synonym.)
  • Flashpoint (noun): A place, event, or issue that triggers sudden and severe conflict.
Synonyms
  • Source of conflict
  • Root of strife
  • Casus belli (a Latin term for an act or event that provokes or justifies war)
Related Idioms
  • A poisoned chalice: Something offered that seems desirable but is likely to cause problems. (While similar in outcome, this idiom focuses on a harmful "gift" rather than an object of envy that causes dispute among multiple parties.)
Noun
  1. (classical mythology) a golden apple thrown into a banquet of the gods by Eris (goddess of discord--who had not been invited); the apple had `for the fairest' written on it and Hera and Athena and Aphrodite all claimed it; when Paris (prince of Troy) awarded it to Aphrodite it began a chain of events that led to the Trojan War