tantalus

Thân thiện

Tantalus reaches for the fruit that hangs just beyond his grasp.

Definition

Noun: 1. (Greek Mythology) A wicked king, son of Zeus, who was punished in the afterlife (Hades) by being made to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree. Whenever he tried to drink, the water receded, and whenever he tried to eat the fruit, the branches lifted it out of reach, condemning him to eternal thirst and hunger. 2. (by extension) A symbol of torment caused by the sight of something desired but kept perpetually out of reach.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Mythological Figure):
  • In the myth, Tantalus was punished for his crimes against the gods.
  • The story of Tantalus serves as a warning about hubris.
• Noun (Symbolic Meaning):
  • For the hungry refugees, the sight of food behind the fence was a modern Tantalus.
  • He felt like Tantalus, watching his dreams remain just beyond his grasp.

Advanced Usage

• "a tantalus" (chiefly British, historical): A locked case or stand for holding decanters of wine or spirits, where the contents are visible but inaccessible without the key. This object is named directly after the mythological figure.
  • The butler brought the port from the tantalus in the drawing room.

Variants and Related Words

• Tantalize (verb): To torment or tease someone with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable. This is the most common derivative.
  • The smell from the bakery tantalized the hungry crowd.
• Tantalizing (adjective): Tormentingly out of reach; also used to describe something very appealing or attractive.
  • She caught a tantalizing glimpse of the sea between the buildings.

Synonyms

• (For the symbolic meaning) Torment, tease, bait.
• (For the state of being tantalized) Frustration, vexation.

Related Idioms

• "A tantalizing offer": An offer that is very attractive and tempting.
  • The job came with a tantalizing offer of a company car and a large bonus.
• "To be tantalized by": To be excited and frustrated by the nearness of something desired.
  • The researchers were tantalized by the possibility of a major discovery.

Học thuật

Noun

1. (Greek mythology) a wicked king and son of Zeus; condemned in Hades to stand in water that receded when he tried to drink and beneath fruit that receded when he reached for it

Từ đồng nghĩa

• tantalus