grape
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Related to grape: grapefruit, Grape Festival
African golf ball
offensive slang A watermelon. A reference to the stereotype of black people having an affinity for watermelon. (As former African-American slaves grew and sold watermelons following the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the fruit became representative of their freedom and was then used as a demeaning stereotype by whites who opposed that freedom.)
African grape
offensive slang A watermelon. A reference to the stereotype of black people having an affinity for watermelon. (As former African-American slaves grew and sold watermelons following the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the fruit became representative of their freedom and was then used as a demeaning stereotype by whites who opposed that freedom.)
belt the grape
To get drunk, especially on wine. Based on all the empty wine bottles, I'm guessing you guys really belted the grape last night.
grape smugglers
slang A very skimpy male bikini. I can't believe Albert insists on wearing grape smugglers to the beach—how embarrassing!
See also: grape
grape-shot
slang Drunk. Do you remember last night at the bar at all? You were really grape-shot!
in the grip of the grape
slang Drunk, especially on wine. Do you remember last night at the bar at all? You were really in the grip of the grape. A: "Were you in the grip of the grape last night?" B: "Yeah, I had a little too much wine."
on the grapevine
Through or via an informal means of communication or information, especially gossip. There is always some absurd rumor or piece of misinformation on the grapevine at work, but I try to just tune most of that out. I heard on the grapevine that John is planning to propose to Samantha next week!
sour grapes
Criticism or disparagement of that which one cannot have. The phrase originated in one of Aesop's fables, in which a fox that cannot reach some grapes deems them sour and therefore undesirable. He always mocks sports cars as being really impractical, but it's just sour grapes, if you ask me.
the grape(s)
slang Wine. I must have had a little too much of the grape last night because I ended up falling asleep on the couch.
the grapes are sour
Said in conjunction with criticism or disparagement of that which one cannot have. The phrase originated in one of Aesop's fables, in which a fox that cannot reach some grapes deems them sour and therefore undesirable. A: "Now that he didn't get the part, he's saying that he didn't really want it to begin with." B: "Oh, sure. The grapes are sour now."
the grapes are sour anyway
Criticism or disparagement of that which one cannot have or achieve. The phrase originated in one of Aesop's fables, in which a fox that cannot reach some grapes deems them sour and therefore undesirable, rather than admitting that he has failed. He always mocks sports cars as being really impractical, but I think he's just sick with envy. The grapes are sour anyway, if you catch my drift. The senator's remarks about the bill turned vitriolic after her rider was rejected. She seems to be saying that the grapes are sour anyway.
through the grapevine
Through or via an informal means of communication or information, especially gossip. There is always some absurd rumor or piece of misinformation through the grapevine at work, but I try to just tune most of that out. I heard through the grapevine that John is planning to propose to Samantha next week!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
belt the grape
Sl. to drink wine or liquor heavily and become intoxicated. He has a tendency to belt the grape—every afternoon after work. She's been belting the grape more than her husband wants.
sour grapes
Fig. something that one cannot have and so disparages as if it were never desirable. of course you want to buy this expensive jacket. Criticizing it is just sour grapes, but you still really want it.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
sour grapes
Disparaging what one cannot obtain, as in The losers' scorn for the award is pure sour grapes. This expression alludes to the Greek writer Aesop's famous fable about a fox that cannot reach some grapes on a high vine and announces that they are sour. In English the fable was first recorded in William Caxton's 1484 translation, "The fox said these raisins be sour."
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
sour grapes
COMMON If you describe someone's attitude as sour grapes, you mean that they are jealous of another person's success and show this jealousy by criticizing that person. These accusations have been going on for some time now, but it is just sour grapes. The government says that Mr Fedorov's criticisms are mere sour grapes. Note: In one of Aesop's fables (= traditional stories, usually with a moral), a fox tries several times unsuccessfully to reach a bunch of delicious-looking grapes. In the end he gives up, telling himself that they are probably sour and inedible anyway.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
sour grapes
an attitude in which someone disparages or pretends to despise something because they cannot have it themselves.In Aesop's fable The Fox and the Grapes, the fox, unable to reach the tempting bunch of grapes, comforts himself with the thought that they were probably sour anyway.
1998 New Scientist At 66, I can be acquitted of any sour grapes, but I feel sorry for younger MPs…[who] have all been passed over.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
sour ˈgrapes
(saying) used to describe the behaviour of somebody who pretends that something they cannot have is of little value or interest: When she failed the entrance exam, she started saying that she never wanted to go to college anyway, but I think that’s just sour grapes.This idiom comes from one of Aesop’s fables. A fox cannot reach some grapes so he decides that they are not ready to eat.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
African golf ball
and African grape n. a watermelon. (Alludes to an early stereotype of Americans of African descent being very fond of watermelon. Forced, contrived, and demeaning.) When he said we were having African grapes for dessert, I though he meant sherbet. Look at the size of that African golf ball!
African grape
verbbelt the grape
tv. to drink wine or liquor heavily and become intoxicated. He has a tendency to belt the grape—twenty-four hours a day.
grape shot
mod. alcohol intoxicated; drunk on wine. After the reception, Hank found himself a little grape shot.
grape smugglers
n. tight swimming briefs. (As if the wearer had stuffed some grapes into the crotch in order to smuggle them somewhere.) He owned a pair of grape smugglers, but never wore them in public.
See also: grape
grape(s)
n. champagne; wine. (see also berries.) No more of the grapes for me. It tickles my nose.
See also: grape
grape
verbSee grapes
grapes of wrath
n. wine. Fred had taken a little too much of the grapes of wrath.
in the grip of the grape
mod. drunk on wine; drunk. Wayne was in the grip of the grape and couldn’t talk straight.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
sour grapes
Disparaging what one cannot but would like to have. This term comes from the punch line of one of Aesop’s most famous fables, delivered by the fox when she finds she cannot reach some grapes on a very high vine. It has been used ever since to describe putting down what one can’t attain.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer