seed (redirected from seeds)

go/run to seed

to stop taking care of your appearance so that you no longer look attractive. I almost didn't recognize John. He's really gone to seed since his wife left him.

See also: run

seed money (American & Australian)

money that is used to start a business or other activity. With $250,000 in seed money they started to recruit executives and advisers for their new venture.

See also: money

sow the seeds of something

to do something that will cause an unpleasant situation in the future. He may be sowing the seeds of his own destruction by using violence against his people.

See also: sow

---

go to seed

to get into a much worse condition. I almost didn't recognize John. He's really gone to seed since his wife left him.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of plants that go to seed (= stop producing flowers and start producing seeds)

plant a seed

to do something that will develop more in the future. I'm not just trying to sell tickets, I hope to plant a seed that will build audiences for opera.

sow the seeds (of something)

to do something that will cause a particular result in the future. Religious conflict sowed the seeds of the government's downfall. Officials say they are planting the seeds for freedom and democracy.

See also: sow